Recently, there was a theft in my department, and four people were interviewed by internal security, including myself. My supervisor and I do not get along, and he has a close relationship with the department head. I firmly believe that they have implicated me in this theft. I have absolutely nothing to do with it, and I need advice on how to approach this issue. My gut tells me that my supervisor is doing everything he can to have me fired.
Unless and until you are accused or some adverse action is taken against you, there really isn’t anything for you to do other than cooperate fully with the investigation. Knowingly making a false allegation of theft is as serious an offense as being guilty of the crime, so I find it difficult to believe that your boss would go to such lengths to fire you — particularly when terminating someone’s employment for just about any reason (other than a legally protected one) is not a difficult thing to do under most circumstances. The fact that internal security is conducting the investigation should also ensure objectivity.
Having said all that, if you do end up being falsely accused of theft, whether knowingly or not, you will want to seek the advice of counsel.
I have not had a paying job for over 14 years, but I have spent years volunteering for several organizations, and am still active. Last year I graduated with a BA, and I would love to work in the social services field. I would like your feedback on how I can account for the wide gap on my resume.
What gap? Listen, it’s hard enough finding work out there without projecting a liability that doesn’t necessarily exist. Work experience doesn’t have to be paid in order to be added to your resume. Actually, I think years of volunteer work make you a stand-out applicant for a job in social services. And the fact that you went back to school to earn your degree — well, I don’t know whether to hire you or adopt you.