I began working the 11^th April 2023 and at the time of my employment was not working for almost 2 years. I was unfortunately short on my travelling fare and approached my new colleagues for a some financial help to cover my travelling expenses. I emailed them and settled those payments the 25^th April 2023 when I received my first salary. I then approached 2 of my colleagues and my line manager again for some more assistance as I have  more expenses than what I had earned for that particular month as I received 11 days salary, I received no response from my line manager but 2 of my colleagues then helped and I would settle it the 25^th May 2023 when I would receive a full month’s salary. I approached the HR with regards to a salary advance and was sent a policy which indicated that I could only qualify after 6 months of employment then on the 5^th May 2023 I was called in by HR who advised that she apparently overhead conversations among staff members in passing that I have been borrowing money by staff members that I did not know and that they feel uncomfortable because they do not know me I advised her that it was a once off and I would settle the monies by payday, the meeting with HR she advised me if I am having any difficulty I should rather speak to her and to my line manager instead of approaching the staff / colleagues she advised that they have dealt with similar instances with previous staff members and it turned into the employment being terminated as people do not want to work with someone that is constantly borrowing from them. I advised her it was a once off and I had borrowed the extra money before I had the chat with her. She then advised me if I should have any issues around that I should rather speak to her or my line manager and they would advise me. She also advised me that because I work in a financial position that she does not want the impression that I am not able to afford my lifestyle etc, I assured her that was not the case. On the 10^th May 2023 I emailed her and advised that I was requiring help to purchase my husband’s chronic medication as he was diagnosed with Graves Disease and due to us both working we were unable to take off and sit at the day hospital for a full day just to get this medication, they did not want to afford him the delivery option as with long standing chronic patients. I sent her the proof of the cost of the medication as I had purchased it the month therefore I was short of funds. She then sent me the policy again and I never approached her again all I responded was that I understood and will not approach her again.

The 15^th May 2023 I had my 30 day probation meeting with my line manager, and present was the head of campus. In the probation they brought forth concerns that they had noted I was withdrawn and not interacting socially with my colleagues and they were concerned as well that my husband has messaged my line manager to confirm if I was present at work as I did not have a cellphone at the time, on the particular day that he queried with her the campus had an electrical breakdown and they were fixing the problem, she had sent a message to advise that I could stay home but it was sent to a number that I did not have at the moment, she also then advised that I would have lost a day if I had stayed home. I was not able to do much for the day because the electricity was off most of the day, when the receptionist whatsapp’ed her then she advised that I could leave for the day, my husband contacted her at that time to enquire and she advised him that said I could leave at 16:00pm. Then on the 15^th May 2023 I left the office late after my probation meeting with her and head of business and he enquired if I had left already and she advised yes that I was with her in a meeting and had left a bit late. But in my probation meeting I opened up about my current personal situation with my husband and that I was not sure if I could approach them as I was new with the company they advised that they noticed something was wrong but that they are here to help where they can and asked me if I was having financial difficulty getting to work to which I advised it would be difficult for the next 2 weeks until payday. They said they would see how they could assist me and in getting the counselling as they could not fault me with my work as they can see I have potential and work hard its just this personal distraction and would assist me in anyway possible.

The 22 May 2023 I was called in the office to be told that I had 2 options as I was insubordinate by emailing the head of campus and my line manager to enquire if I could approach them for the help towards my travelling costs as discussed in the probation meeting the head of campus then responded to advise that I misunderstood what they had meant and that they would check if someone on the campus could offer a lift club or something and I responded to advise that I totally misunderstood what they had meant and it would not happen again in future. Then I was told that I had a choice to cut my losses and pack my bags and leave with my dignity intact or I would have to face a disciplinary hearing and would result in dismissal to which I advised that I would need to take the chance as this currently my bread and butter and with my current household situation I cannot afford to lose my job, I expressed that if the staff members were unhappy with my approaching them for help they had all the authority and right to refuse to help I had forced them in any way I asked and they answered yes but now they are making it seem like I had forced them to help to management and due to that I now stand a chance to lose my stable income even though they told me they do not have any issues with my work.

Please advise if I have a case and can appeal this charge?

Thank you

Kim