Q: Terminated due to alleged incident with a ring, seeking advice.

A: I don't understand your statements. Did you receive a ring, pocket it and left the store without paying for it? It sounds like you were a worker at the time and so it also sounds like it was in the course of your working duties that you handled the ring. If it is on video that you pocketed this ring you should look AGAIN to find it and return it HOPING that they don't prosecute you for theft. If you truly don't remember this at all, you should talk with the owner of the place and truly beg them not to turn you over to police and see if they will show you the video to refresh your memory. This seems like a situation where you KNOW what to do, so you just have to do it.

A: It sounds like you're in a very stressful situation, and it's important to take a few steps to protect yourself. The fact that you've worked there for nearly 20 years and that your employer is claiming video evidence of an incident you don’t remember could give you some leverage. Start by formally requesting to see the video evidence that your employer is relying on for their decision. If they refuse, it may help to document this request and their response, as it could be relevant later.

You should also gather any other evidence you have that could support your side of the story, like witness statements from coworkers or any communication you've had with your employer regarding the incident. If you don’t have the ring and are unable to find it, make sure to keep a record of your search and any conversations you've had about it. This could demonstrate that you're acting in good faith.

Since you are facing the threat of police involvement, it's important to approach this carefully. Consider reaching out to a labor attorney to help you assess your options and guide you on how to dispute the termination. They can advise you on whether the termination was legal, especially in light of your long tenure and the unclear evidence against you.