Final written warning

[Gary11]

Hi I am a longtime piston heads browser in need of some advice

I work for a large manufacturing company where we have to clock in and clock out for work.

I have been leaving my work station 2 minutes before the break times (something 80% of the employees do) at no time did my leaving early affect production.

Manager calls me in for a disciplinary meeting and hands me a letter with a date and time.. At this time I thought I would probably get a verbal warning

At the meeting to which I took a union rep their was HR present, the meeting was arranged for 4pm, manager did not turn up on time 20 minutes late.( I think I should have walked out of meeting after 10 mins of manager not turning up)

Meeting starts and I'm accused of defrauding the company because the 2 minutes early I was leaving I was being paid for and they have proof of me leaving my station early..

To which I replied that I am not the only employee leaving early which went ignored, possibly because accusing manager orders his sandwiches from an employee who has to leave his work station early to collect them in time for break.

I have not been given a reason as to why only I have been picked up on about this as like I said 80% of employees do this and I'm the only one being disciplined

Also because the meeting started 20 minutes late it ran over my work time by 10 minutes which is the reason I was late home because I missed my bus.... (Is this not defrauding me of my time?)

union rep was absolutely useless...

So for these reasons I am thinking of appealing the decision of a final written warning with some advice from you guys

Thank you

[Gary11]

PoleDriver said:

From your description it sounds like you have had at least one verbal and one written warning previously!
Is this the case?
Were they for the same misdemeanour?

No previous warnings. Never been late for work

Only thing I did have about 1 month ago is a work related accident. Which was due to a contractor leaving parts in an area where it is clearly marked "keep clear" causing me to have an accident which I have put in a claim for.

Managers do not like accidents on their shifts... Furthermore they do not like you claiming for injuries

joshleb said:

Big question as to why this is final warning too.....

I would have quite happily accepted either of these stages

Verbal or Stage 1 warning (either of which i have never had)

Johnnytheboy said:

More to this than meets the eye.

If you are a good worker in other respects doing something slightly naughty that everyone else does, why they target you?

IMO They are using it as a stick to beat you with for something else you probably know about.

You'd also have to be an utter, utter helmet to make a complaint about being told off making you get home late.

I only got home late on the day of the disciplinary meeting because the manager turned up 20minutes late.

bhrstewie said:

I guess the issue with appealing is if their claims are actually correct, on what ground is the appeal?

1. Manager turned up late to meeting taking me over my clock time for 10 minutes for which I do not get paid for.

2. I am not the only person doing this.

3. Why is it gone straight to a Final written warning .

Please note I am not disputing I was in the wrong.. I just feel the punishment is harsh

[Gary11]

Had I turned up 20 minutes late to the meeting the meeting would have continued without me and the outcome would have probably been worse.

Manager turns up late for meeting which he arranged a time for in writing goes over my working time and "it's ok" ?

I believe I should have walked out of the meeting after 10 minutes of him not turning up... But then at the time I did not know I was going to get a final written warning.

[Gary11]

Black can man said:

How many times have you taken the 2 minutes ?


How bad was the injury ? i'm guessing it's not that serious if you are back at work .


The injury thing is probably the pisser in all this.

Edited by Black can man on Sunday 20th November 11:29

In last 3 months I have taken 2 minutes about 18 times. Like I said before it's so common it's unlikely someone who does not work at our place would understand what I mean.

The accident
I twisted my ankle due to the contractor's mistake.
I could have taken the piss and longer off work but I did not and was back at work after 1 week

Edited by Gary11 on Sunday 20th November 11:49

Edited by Gary11 on Sunday 20th November 11:50

[Gary11]

Slagathore said:

A claim for a twisted ankle?

No wonder they want you gone.

Yes and I still get pains from it. But continue working.

Do you expect me. To lie and say I was not injured and I do not want to claim?
Their is an insurance policy in place that pays for accident related injuries.

Edited by Gary11 on Sunday 20th November 12:06

[Gary11]

hairyben said:

Union rep sounds like a flannel though, if you're being honest with us this isnt final warning stuff.

This again I feel I'm being treated harsh.

As I have accepted my mistake and will make sure it never happens again

Do I still deserve a final written warning... I feel its wrong

[Gary11]

Countdown said:

There's probably an excess for the Insurance Policy that the employer will have to pay for, plus it's possible that it might affect his future premiums. It doesn't justify the employer being harsh towards you and it's a fantastic example of why Unions are needed.

Bear in mind nothing comes out of my managers pocket as the company is huge and has separate managers who deal with insurance side of things.

Managers look good when they have a clean month of no accidents.

I will be speaking with a senior union rep tomorrow to see what can be done. And asking for a copy of the disciplinary procedure for gross miss conduct.

I have been told when it is a final written warning a case manager needs to be present in the meeting?
If that's the procedure then it has not been implemented

Thanks for all your advice so far.