I screwed up royally at work. But...

[rk47]

My manager and co-workers really covered my ass. Sure there's some consequences, but they're not entirely burning me on the stake. Not even slow roast.
What I wanna know is, how do I pay them back? I owe them a lot in this and I really want to let them know I appreciate their support. Aside from a big thank you and sorry I screw up letter, perhaps I need to pack a hamper or something?  Ideas? Maybe a good letter would help too. Something that doesn't sound copy n pasta from the internet?

I was thinking along the lines of "Thanks so much guys. Be assured I've put this incident behind me and is more determined more than ever to perform after experiencing the tremendous support from everyone despite not being deserving of it!" But it sounded too mushy.

[Cyrrex]

Kinda hard to make suggestions without some context as to what they bailed you out for.  Did you inappropriately fondle the ugly chick in the mailroom?  Caught stealing toilet paper?  Taking bribes from a supplier?

Do tell!

[rk47]

I lost a person's national ID card.

[K9]

"Putting this incident behind me" sounds like you harassed someone. I'd take more of a "lesson learned, I won't make this mistake again". So maybe stress a "thanks for helping me learn a lesson" type of line?

[Cyrrex]

I lost a person's national ID card.

And just what the hell is that?

Can't that person (who, for the sake of the story, I am assuming is a slutty blonde chick) just get another?  And why did you have it in the first place?

[rk47]

Handling some registrations. Visitors n stuff. Got careless. Misplaced it somewhere. God knows. I can't recall at all, I just know I took it out...then I never returned it.

Can a person get a new one? Hell yes.
Is it convenient? Hell no.
Did I do something wrong? YES.
Am I supposed to be fucked over? YES.
Did it happen? No. Thank goodness.

[Cyrrex]

Still, what is this thing that's so important that the simple mistake of losing one is such a major offense?  Maybe I'm dense, but I don't know what a national ID card is.  Where do you work?

[Arthur_Parker]

I'd let it go, you generally don't want to draw more attention to your own fuckups.  Nothing stopping you from remembering who covered your back though, for future reference.

[Engels]

First of all, get it resolved. See how you can help the person get a new ID.

I know you're gushing with gratitude at the moment, but trust me,  do something simple, like buying a few rounds of beer at the pub if you all go out after work, or something. Just a small acknowledgement that they're cool is all most folks want or need.

[rk47]

Still, what is this thing that's so important that the simple mistake of losing one is such a major offense?  Maybe I'm dense, but I don't know what a national ID card is.  Where do you work?

Social Security Card is the only close comparison I can think of. Down here it's called National Registration Identity Card. Basically losing it is worth a few hundred bucks for re-issue fee and months of waiting time, not to mention the hassles of photo-taking and finger-printing.

[IainC]

I'm with Arthur here. Don't make it into a big thing about how you screwed up because otherwise it will be a big thing. Go and thank the people who helped you - personally and to their face if possible and then let people forget about it. If you aren't the type who is continually fucking up then this shouldn't be an issue going forwards.

[Nebu]

I'm with Arthur here. Don't make it into a big thing about how you screwed up because otherwise it will be a big thing. Go and thank the people who helped you - personally and to their face if possible and then let people forget about it. If you aren't the type who is continually fucking up then this shouldn't be an issue going forwards.

This.  I couldn't have said it better. 

I learned my lesson early in medicine that fuck-ups are a part of life.  Drawing attention to them more than you have to will result in a never-ending nightmare.

[Reg]

I'm with the people telling you not to make a huge deal out of it. I'd also stay away from any written form of gratitude where you actually admit the mistake. Things may be OK right now but you never know when written evidence of a past fuckup might resurface and cause trouble.

[Cyrrex]

I'm with the people telling you not to make a huge deal out of it. I'd also stay away from any written form of gratitude where you actually admit the mistake. Things may be OK right now but you never know when written evidence of a past fuckup might resurface and cause trouble.

Bingo.

[rk47]

mm kay. Guess 2 large pizzas should cover it tomorrow.

I'm just grateful cause I heard the lady who lost her ID is a real bitch, making a scene at the counter. I wasn't on day shift, so I didn't witness it myself. And my boss told me there's no need to be present when they explain the situation to the lady tomorrow, I could go home straight after work to get a move on from the experience. I was totally spared from the blasting from management and the owner itself. 

[Ironwood]

I learned my lesson early in medicine that fuck-ups are a part of life. 

Well, I'm reassured.

[Nebu]

Well, I'm reassured.

One of my biggest incentives for going to medical school was in knowing that I would never have to trust in someone else's opinion when it came to my own health and well-being. 

[Arthur_Parker]

mm kay. Guess 2 large pizzas should cover it tomorrow.

This is none of my business but I once worked somewhere when four people had been sacked for admitting doing something slightly illegal, a colleague of mine asked my advice as he knew I had a bit of experience with being questioned in unusual situations, he had been implicated by two of the four for doing the same thing (he had actually started the whole stupid thing).  He was going to admit to being slightly aware of what was going on but deny taking part.  I told him to deny everything as being aware was reason enough to sack him.  He was pretty nervous about it but eventually saw what I was getting at, during the hearing he stuck to denying everything and finally was asked by the exasperated senior manager what he would do in the senior managers place, he remembered what I had said in jest and said he should be awarded a payrise & promotion, he got off scott free.  

I'm not saying this because it relates to your story, but just to point out that I went out of my way to offer advice on a one to one situation, but I felt safe doing that, I certainly wouldn't have let him buy me a pizza in front of the whole office as a thank you, I actually would have been annoyed if he tried, because that might be significant if somebody questioned it.  Basically, if you don't normally buy them pizzas this is a bad time to start, as Engels said buying a couple of rounds if you drink together is more easily explained.

[Sky]

One of my biggest incentives for going to medical school was in knowing that I would never have to trust in someone else's opinion when it came to my own health and well-being. 

A kid who used to eat his own boogers is a doctor in my city now. It's rattling knowing someone from grade school and then BAM trust them with life or death decisions (he's actually a great doctor and recently stopped practicing, dammit). But I still see him as Booger.

[Paelos]

Never write anything to anyone that admits you screwed up or something was your fault.

A hearty handshake and a round of drinks should cover you. If they are female, complement them on their appearance and give them a firm smack on the behind.

[Khaldun]

Just gonna echo the advice here, and not because of any issues with liability. If and when you screw up in a way that is genuinely grave--you get drunk and run over a six-year old--that's the time to man up and confess to all and sundry and try to live the rest of your life in a way that makes up for your failure. When you make what is ultimately a trivial mistake in the grand scheme of things and people help you out over it, the thing to do is to quietly acknowledge the humanity of friends and colleagues the next time you get a chance to. I talk to my students a lot about this in the context of public speaking or presentations--when you make a mistake or misspeak, it is always a worse mistake to make a big deal out of it and backtrack. It flusters you, it distracts your audience. It's a less big mistake to completely ignore the error--the right thing is to make a quick self-deprecating aside, like it's not a big fucking deal. As it is in speaking, so it is in life.

[proudft]

As it is in speaking, so it is in life.

Wait, my first sentence in life was supposed to be a topical joke?

[UnSub]

As others have said, don't write down a letter of thanks. Don't leave any evidence behind.

Honestly, it depends on how well you know and get on with these people. If they are casual acquaintences, a few drinks on you is probably fine. If you are friendly enough, take them out for a meal, your shout. Do it off premises, so that people don't wonder why you are buying pizza for just a few people.

Tell them you appreciate it over the drinks / meal. Say it once, and only once, short and earnestly, then drop it. Do not tear up. Do not follow them around in some sort of gratitude-based servitude from this point forward. People don't mind doing the right thing for a nice guy, but NO-ONE WANTS A PUPPY.

Don't lose another card.

[Ingmar]

NO-ONE WANTS A PUPPY.

[NowhereMan]

Ignore these kill-joys, hire strippers to say thank you.

[Segoris]

Ignore these kill-joys, hire strippers to say thank you.

If this is how you show gratitude, let me know when you need help

[rk47]

Yeah it's hard to say thank-you. The day shift really got bombed hard today. They said the boss looked very dejected. He was sitting at the nearby park bench...just staring at nothingness. 

I owed him big for this. I just know it. But I don't really know how to repay him. He took the bullet meant for me :(

[Soln]

Never write anything to anyone that admits you screwed up or something was your fault.

A hearty handshake and a round of drinks should cover you. If they are female, complement them on their appearance and give them a firm smack on the behind.

this by Paelos and everything AP has said is wise advice.  Don't sentimentalize your mistake.

[ajax34i]

If it's that big, you won't be able to repay with just one gesture.

Food always helps people deal with difficult days, and getting some pizza's, or Chinese, or w/e snacks the next few times it's busy at work will let them know that you know you owe them and will cover for them if given the opportunity in the future.

Then just work harder / try to lighten your boss's workload; believe me, they appreciate that a lot.

[VainEldritch]

Well, I'm reassured.

One of my biggest incentives for going to medical school was in knowing that I would never have to trust in someone else's opinion when it came to my own health and well-being. 

I specialise in chronic degenerative neurological disorders - but I'd still defer to a colono-proctologist for pile surgery.

[Typhon]

Surgery, sure.  But I bet you'd look up your own ass before you decided on surgery... amirite?!  I've got your back Nebu!

[Nebu]

I still can't believe he revived a dead thread just to make that comment.   

[Ingmar]

I still can't believe he revived a dead thread just to make that comment.   

Well it says vain right there in his name.