Work Grrrrr

I was off last week due to me injuring my shoulder, I've been to the doctors today who's told me to stay off work for another 2 weeks. Yesterday I got a letter from work saying they are taking disciplinary action against me because I didn't let them know last Monday why I wasn't coming into work, the reason I couldn't phone was I'd left my phone at my sisters house on Sunday night, I haven't got a landline installed yet so I couldn't phone our head office in Liverpool to let them know. I phoned them up on Tuesday to tell them I'd be off due to me injuring my shoulder at work.

I got a letter yesterday telling me they are going through the disciplinary process because I didn't let them know on Monday morning first thing.

I'm thinking about getting in touch with a Solicitor to see what action I can take.

[jellybaby]

If its in the contract about contacting them within a set time about being off, you may not have much to go on.

Originally Posted by jellybaby

If its in the contract about contacting them within a set time about being off, you may not have much to go on.

What happens if your in hospital with no access to a phone or phone numbers?

[jellybaby]

I think they have 'exceptions', but you'd have to refer to the contract for the ins and outs. Not saying its right, but I know some places do add these things into contracts

[dilligaf1701]

Originally Posted by Nidge

What happens if your in hospital with no access to a phone or phone numbers?

But you weren't, so I'm not sure what that's got to do with your case?

I'm just not sure how far you are going to get trying to blame them because you forgot your phone?

Anyway if you have a uniion and are a member make sure you take your rep with you.

[webcrawler2050]

I take it you havea doctors note?

If notjust self certify - just explain the situation at work I am sure they will understand, unless they are a completeandutter muppets - just on a power trip!

Firstly I wouldn't get too excited about a 'disciplinary procedure', they may not even proceed with anything formal....

What has, presumably, happened is that you have contravened the terms & conditions in your contract by not advising your employer of your absence from work.

They have to protect themselves against employees who may do this 'regularly' - not that you are in that category, but they don't know that, yet ?

As JT says, take a union rep, if you want, you should also be entitled to nominate a workmate to act as an observer during any meetings.

Secondly, initially I would personally 'roll over' , say sorry & admit you were wrong not to let them know you would be off that day - and gracefully accept the 'recorded verbal warning' or whatever, that arises from the hearing - you have the right to appeal the decision, in any case

[WHISTLED]

Wasnt it you starting a new job a while ago nidge?

Having done more disciplinaries than I can count with fingers and toes (as one or two forum members can qualify) Im happy to give advice on this one!

Firstly home alone is pretty much spot on, although some points mentioned are very much dependant upon your company policy. Union rep, colleague to accompany etc is certainly not mandatory in busness.

If you worked for me I would also be inviting you to a disciplinary meeting, I would put across the company side and refer to where and how you have breached the t+c's, I would then listen to your side.

Going off what you have tole us (limited) I would probably give you a verbal warning. The facts is you were absent without notifying an appropriate colleague. The fact you didnt have your mobile or have a land line would not be mitigating circumstances in my book, especially with a muscular or skeletal injury. Its your responsibility to inform them, both to allow work to be re-allocated but also because they would worry about you.

The sanction would be for a failure to follow policy and would not be relating to your absence specifically.

Best to accept it and say sorry - if your a good employee its not something you ever have to give a second thought to

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Wasnt it you starting a new job a while ago nidge?

Having done more disciplinaries than I can count with fingers and toes (as one or two forum members can qualify) Im happy to give advice on this one!

Firstly home alone is pretty much spot on, although some points mentioned are very much dependant upon your company policy. Union rep, colleague to accompany etc is certainly not mandatory in busness.

If you worked for me I would also be inviting you to a disciplinary meeting, I would put across the company side and refer to where and how you have breached the t+c's, I would then listen to your side.

Going off what you have tole us (limited) I would probably give you a verbal warning. The facts is you were absent without notifying an appropriate colleague. The fact you didnt have your mobile or have a land line would not be mitigating circumstances in my book, especially with a muscular or skeletal injury. Its your responsibility to inform them both to allow work to be re-allocated but also because they would worry about you.

The sanction would be for a failure to follow policy and would not be relating to your absence specifically.

Best to accept it and say sorry - if your a good employee its not something you ever have to give a second thought to

absolutely, I agree the fine points regarding the 'rights' to representation are dependent on the particular contract - having said that a verbal warning only lasts for 3 months in our company - so no recurrence during that period would cancel it, so as you say, it shouldn't ever need a second thought

[WHISTLED]

Personally speaking, im much more likely to 'go easy' if im dealing with a grown up that says 'yep I can see what the issue is, wont happen again'

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Having done more disciplinaries than I can count with fingers and toes (as one or two forum members can qualify) Im happy to give advice on this one!

<snip>

Listen to WHISTLED.
He speaketh the sense.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by kryogenik

Listen to WHISTLED.
He speaketh the sense.

I'm not too sure - he can't even count how many forum members can vouch for him

[WHISTLED]

I'm not too sure - he can't even count how many forum members can vouch for him

Cos im always trying to figure out who bloomin works for me on here! Evey now and then I figure a new one out..

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Cos im always trying to figure out who bloomin works for me on here! Evey now and then I figure a new one out..

*hides*

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

Wasnt it you starting a new job a while ago nidge?

Having done more disciplinaries than I can count with fingers and toes (as one or two forum members can qualify) Im happy to give advice on this one!

Firstly home alone is pretty much spot on, although some points mentioned are very much dependant upon your company policy. Union rep, colleague to accompany etc is certainly not mandatory in busness.

If you worked for me I would also be inviting you to a disciplinary meeting, I would put across the company side and refer to where and how you have breached the t+c's, I would then listen to your side.

Going off what you have tole us (limited) I would probably give you a verbal warning. The facts is you were absent without notifying an appropriate colleague. The fact you didnt have your mobile or have a land line would not be mitigating circumstances in my book, especially with a muscular or skeletal injury. Its your responsibility to inform them, both to allow work to be re-allocated but also because they would worry about you.

The sanction would be for a failure to follow policy and would not be relating to your absence specifically.

Best to accept it and say sorry - if your a good employee its not something you ever have to give a second thought to

Yes mate I'm just waiting for him to open the office, planning permission is holding him up at the moment, I was speaking to the owner last week about the planning issues, he's hoping to get it all sorted by the end of April.

As for the absence issue, sending me a letter after one days absence is beyond a joke if you ask me, I covered for man when they've phoned me telling me they weren't coming in due to feeling ill, I've not let head office know so the lads don't loose any pay. As soon as I'm off I'm getting letters delivered with threats of disciplinary action.