Opinions welcome...

[shake n bake]

So, the two clowns that work for me tonight decided to leave knowing that an alarm on a vehicle on the forecourt is going off but ignored it.
Poor parts manager has to go in as I'm already half cut and discovers it is said alarm on pre mentioned vehicle, I text each monkey and ask any ideas? Both text backand say 'oh yeah, an alarm was going off but we left it'
I will go 100% bonkers on Tuesday when I have them both in but I'm always welcome for an outside opinion in case I'm being a bit to trigger happy.
Go pistonheads....

[talksthetorque]

Get the car towed outside their houses. One tonight, one tomorrow night.

What's the procedure in their written job description manual?

[Chebble]

Did they have access to the keys to stop said alarm, and just being lazy?

[InitialDave]

What did you expect them to do to resolve the issue?

If their solution had been to turn off/disable the alarm, and the car was stolen over the weekend, how would you react to that?

[Blakewater]

What sort of a contract to you have with the "monkeys" you employ? Did you make it clear to them when you employed them that they would have to stay behind to deal with unexpected issues that arose at closing time?

I don't know how you actually treat them in person, but if you have genuine disdain for them day to day and show it, that will make them less likely to go the extra mile by doing things like sorting out car alarms going off at clocking off time.

When I used to work at a supermarket, locking up at night had to be done by two people and if the alarm didn't set for whatever reason those locking up had to stay behind to wait for someone to come and fix it. Only certain people had keys and one morning no one with keys was down to open up. Those down on the rota knew this but the managers didn't really get along with anyone. To spite the managers no one said anything until the morning those staffed on first thing didn't have keys, so come store opening time everyone was standing around outside a locked store including a pissed off, late running delivery driver and all the stock was still on the lorry. It was all avoidable but it was allowed to happen to show up managers who the staff didn't like.

[Jimmy Recard]

If it's as you say and they simply ignored the car, I think there should be hell to pay.

If for some reason they didn't have access to the car or weren't allowed to touch it, then judge it when sober.

[Who me ?]

shake n bake said:

So, the two clowns that work for me tonight decided to leave knowing that an alarm on a vehicle on the forecourt is going off but ignored it.
Poor parts manager has to go in as I'm already half cut and discovers it is said alarm on pre mentioned vehicle, I text each monkey and ask any ideas? Both text backand say 'oh yeah, an alarm was going off but we left it'
I will go 100% bonkers on Tuesday when I have them both in but I'm always welcome for an outside opinion in case I'm being a bit to trigger happy.
Go pistonheads....

What would be the reasonable actions expected of an employee? I'd suggest it would be to inform a manager/person in a higher grade of this. Then they could walk off site, having done what was expected,if they were not asked to work overtime to solve the problem. I'd suggest a written warning ( if contract of employment allows) ,would be allowed. Don't go "bonkers", do as employment law requires, and then IF you want to get shot off - YOU are in the right.

[Willy Nilly]

shake n bake said:

So, the two clowns that work for me tonight decided to leave knowing that an alarm on a vehicle on the forecourt is going off but ignored it.
Poor parts manager has to go in as I'm already half cut and discovers it is said alarm on pre mentioned vehicle, I text each monkey and ask any ideas? Both text backand say 'oh yeah, an alarm was going off but we left it'
I will go 100% bonkers on Tuesday when I have them both in but I'm always welcome for an outside opinion in case I'm being a bit to trigger happy.
Go pistonheads....

It might be the managements attitude to them that propagated the "fk it" attitude.

[bullio]

Isn't this the difference between staff and boss? Staff get paid a relatively low wage but beyond contracted hours - not their problem. Boss makes the big money but the buck stops with you when it comes to problems - no matter what time of day or night.
That being said, if they didn't even try to inform you, a bking may be in order...

[Antony Moxey]

I don't understand why people are making excuses for the staff. If the OP's story is correct they knew an alarm was going off in one of the cars(?) on the forecourt yet chose to ignore it and went home. Where does all the nonsense come in about staying behind, contracted hours and job descriptions? The alarm was going off BEFORE they went home yet they chose to ignore it - what's so difficult in either trying to stop it or, if that's not possible for whatever reason, trying to inform someone who might be able. All of this could have been done before they finished their contracted hours.

If they'd tried and couldn't stop it or couldn't get hold of anyone (unlikely, given the OP managed to text them both) then the hand wringers on here whining about workers rights might have a point but from the OP's, err, OPit just seems as though he's employing a couple of slackers who simply don't give a f*** about anything. If I were the OP I'd be looking to replace what do sound exactly like a couple of clowns as soon as possible.

[Innowaybored]

Antony Moxey said:

I don't understand why people are making excuses for the staff. If the OP's story is correct they knew an alarm was going off in one of the cars(?) on the forecourt yet chose to ignore it and went home. Where does all the nonsense come in about staying behind, contracted hours and job descriptions? The alarm was going off BEFORE they went home yet they chose to ignore it - what's so difficult in either trying to stop it or, if that's not possible for whatever reason, trying to inform someone who might be able. All of this could have been done before they finished their contracted hours.

If they'd tried and couldn't stop it or couldn't get hold of anyone (unlikely, given the OP managed to text them both) then the hand wringers on here whining about workers rights might have a point but from the OP's, err, OP it just seems as though he's employing a couple of slackers who simply don't give a f*** about anything. If I were the OP I'd be looking to replace what do sound exactly like a couple of clowns as soon as possible.

Although I agree it seems he has utter contempt for his staff. They sound like they deserve each other tbh. Bad managers get the staff they deserve. See his sort of attitude all the time - it's a british disease.

[Monkeylegend]

shake n bake said:

So, the two clowns that work for me tonight decided to leave knowing that an alarm on a vehicle on the forecourt is going off but ignored it.
Poor parts manager has to go in as I'm already half cut and discovers it is said alarm on pre mentioned vehicle, I text each monkey and ask any ideas? Both text backand say 'oh yeah, an alarm was going off but we left it'
I will go 100% bonkers on Tuesday when I have them both in but I'm always welcome for an outside opinion in case I'm being a bit to trigger happy.
Go pistonheads....

But you were at home getting pissed, so I would be a little bit more understanding on Tuesday. I would tell them that in future you would like them to sort out any issues like this before they leave, if they can't to call you and let you know so you can deal with it.

I also think you should pay the parts manager for his time to cover for you while you were getting drunk.

[anonymous-user]

Surely even if they were not in a position to decide if they should turn the alarm off or not, the minimum they should have done is call the OP to let him know? Hardly 'staying late' or the other bullst that people are coming out with, just common sense.

[Jasandjules]

What is their remit?

[s m]

Did you order the code red?

[Sump]

Purely going off the fact your call your own employees monkeys I'm hardly surprised they went home when their pay ended.

[vikingaero]

shake n bake said:

So, the two clowns that work for me tonight decided to leave knowing that an alarm on a vehicle on the forecourt is going off but ignored it.
Poor parts manager has to go in as I'm already half cut and discovers it is said alarm on pre mentioned vehicle, I text each monkey and ask any ideas? Both text backand say 'oh yeah, an alarm was going off but we left it'
I will go 100% bonkers on Tuesday when I have them both in but I'm always welcome for an outside opinion in case I'm being a bit to trigger happy.
Go pistonheads....

Purely judging by your response it sounds you have PH Company Director with Goatee issues.

You need to ask/interview everyone involved on Tues. Sleep on it and then make a rational decision.

[anonymous-user]

Sump said:

Purely going off the fact your call your own employees monkeys I'm hardly surprised they went home when their pay ended.

This. You are the manager, you have the keys, take responsibility. Karma. Treat people with respect and they might help you out. Treat them like dirt, dont complain when no one there to help.

Ps, if there was a bigger incident at work, how would you have got there ?

[jammy_basturd]

MDMA . said:

Sump said:

Purely going off the fact your call your own employees monkeys I'm hardly surprised they went home when their pay ended.

This. You are the manager, you have the keys, take responsibility. Karma. Treat people with respect and they might help you out. Treat them like dirt, dont complain when no one there to help.

Ps, if there was a bigger incident at work, how would you have got there ?

WTF.

Are company owners now no longer allowed to have a drink in case they are called in to deal with business?!

As others have pointed out, the very least I'd expect these employees to do would be to contact someone and notify them that the alarm was going off. That they haven't done that suggests they either have no common sense, in which case they should be placed at the beginning of a road that could lead to them leaving the company. Or it shows a lack of respect, which may or may not be two way. If it is two-way then what we say here probably won't make much difference anyway.

[shake n bake]

Thank you for a wide range of responses, I like to see that I've been judged as a terrible boss by the high and mighty, employment law has been brushed and for the few others who see the problem for what it was then thank you.
For what it's worth, I get on well with the two guys I work with, Saturday was my first day off for too long and I felt let down.l as a very simple problem was ignored, backs turned and a not my problem attitude was shown.
I'm unsure whether to flounce off in a general gassing style or thank everyone for their input, I think the second option after some thought as I put my head on the block I guess?!
Thanks all!