Does this count as any sort of a disciplinary or not? (Job App question)

chipmoon

I’m applying for a job and the question asks “Have you ever been part of any disciplinary proceedings or have received disciplinaries?”

I don’t know what the answer to this is. (If you read my previous posts I had an issue once with a big mistake I made and therefore i don’t want to make any mistakes on further apps). The story was I was working for an employer and held two jobs with that employer. When I took the 2nd, I gave a different line manager as opposed to my actual for a reference thinking it will be a valid reference, my sickness was wrong too (as I estimated it and didn't know I was allowed to ask for my records). This all came out as its the same organisation and I was quereied by my managers in both jobs as to why I did what I did. No formal disciplinary came out of it but I did have a letter placed on my file that says my actions and that no further disciplinary actions will be issued .


With regards to that issue and when I was approached in my second job, my manager came up to me and said she’d like to speak to me privately. I wasn’t given any warning or told what the topic was about. So I had my lunch break and we went into a room and she bought the topic up. She told me its an informal conversation although she made notes on the conversation and if I’m not honest she’ll make it formal and get HR involved. So she took my side of the story and said she’s going to think about what to do. I shortly resigned after that before anything formal could happen and HR said it’s not worth taking it further so passed it onto the first job.

I then went back to my other job (which I was working in the entire time) who was told exactly what had happened and I also informed them to tell them myself. Here, I didn’t have any meetings what so ever but received an invitation to see managers and was invited via Outlook to the meeting. The subject was “Query” but nothing else was elaborated. When I went to see my managers they just gave me a letter of all the things I’ve done and told me they expect better behaviour from me. The letter specifically said “On this occasion, I have made the decision not to take any further disciplinary actions against you however this letter will remain on your file permanently.”

So my question is, was I ever the subject of a disciplinary? I’m confused to if I should select yes or no. It’s yes as it almost led to disciplinary but then again no as I never received any formal letters or anything to say that a disciplinary is to be carried out against me or informed at any stage what the meetings were about? I only had two meetings and the first I wasn’t told what the subject was and the second I was told was just a “Query.”

I may be being pedantic here but I really learnt my lesson from that and I never ever want to be accused about being dishonest again. Quite a few forms I have seen ask for that question and I don't apply as I often don't know the answer so refrain from applying than be caught out again.
Thanks for anyone who can help. I do appreciate it.

Uncertain

chipmoon wrote: »

I’m applying for a job and the question asks “Have you ever been part of any disciplinary proceedings or have received disciplinaries?”

I don’t know what the answer to this is. (If you read my previous posts I had an issue once with a big mistake I made and therefore i don’t want to make any mistakes on further apps). The story was I was working for an employer and held two jobs with that employer. When I took the 2nd, I gave a different line manager as opposed to my actual for a reference thinking it will be a valid reference, my sickness was wrong too (as I estimated it and didn't know I was allowed to ask for my records). This all came out as its the same organisation and I was quereied by my managers in both jobs as to why I did what I did. No formal disciplinary came out of it but I did have a letter placed on my file that says my actions and that no further disciplinary actions will be issued .


With regards to that issue and when I was approached in my second job, my manager came up to me and said she’d like to speak to me privately. I wasn’t given any warning or told what the topic was about. So I had my lunch break and we went into a room and she bought the topic up. She told me its an informal conversation although she made notes on the conversation and if I’m not honest she’ll make it formal and get HR involved. So she took my side of the story and said she’s going to think about what to do. I shortly resigned after that before anything formal could happen and HR said it’s not worth taking it further so passed it onto the first job.

I then went back to my other job (which I was working in the entire time) who was told exactly what had happened and I also informed them to tell them myself. Here, I didn’t have any meetings what so ever but received an invitation to see managers and was invited via Outlook to the meeting. The subject was “Query” but nothing else was elaborated. When I went to see my managers they just gave me a letter of all the things I’ve done and told me they expect better behaviour from me. The letter specifically said “On this occasion, I have made the decision not to take any further disciplinary actions against you however this letter will remain on your file permanently.”

So my question is, was I ever the subject of a disciplinary? I’m confused to if I should select yes or no. It’s yes as it almost led to disciplinary but then again no as I never received any formal letters or anything to say that a disciplinary is to be carried out against me or informed at any stage what the meetings were about? I only had two meetings and the first I wasn’t told what the subject was and the second I was told was just a “Query.”

I may be being pedantic here but I really learnt my lesson from that and I never ever want to be accused about being dishonest again. Quite a few forms I have seen ask for that question and I don't apply as I often don't know the answer so refrain from applying than be caught out again.
Thanks for anyone who can help. I do appreciate it.

I would say the answer is no.

There are laid down rules for disciplinary procedures including the right to be accompanied. If this did not happen then it is not a disciplinary (in the legal sense) and you are entitled to say no to the question.

chipmoon

Thanks for your help.

I went and downloaded the probationary procedure and this is what it said, with this in mind, would the answer still be no.... as I said, I was never told about the first meeting or given any formal warning, the second time I was just told it was a query - no mention of any disciplinary:

Disciplinary issues arising during the probation period
8.1 As a general rule, disciplinary issues of a relatively minor nature (e.g. timekeeping, non-observance of dress-code) should not be dealt with under the Disciplinary process, but rather dealt with in the same way you would tackle any area of concern during the probationary period.

If the issues can not be addressed through the probationary procedure, for example due to its seriousness then the disciplinary procedure, for staff on probation, should be used. Any proposed disciplinary action must be discussed with Human Resources as soon as possible and before any action is taken.

8.2 The Company’s Disciplinary procedure does not apply to employees whilst they are in any probationary period. Instead, the provisions set out in this procedure will apply.

8.3 Disciplinary action will not be taken without a prompt and thorough investigation into the issue. In addition, a hearing will take place and will normally be heard by a line manager designated by two senior managers at Director level.

8.4 The level of warning given will depend on the seriousness of the disciplinary issue.
8.5 Warnings will be retained on your file and will be taken into account in any subsequent disciplinary matter either during the probation period or after the
probation period. In any event, warnings will be disregarded for disciplinary purposes after the following timescales, provided that there is continued satisfactory conduct:
Type of warning Length of period
Oral warning 6 months
Written warning 12 months
Final written warning 18 months

Uncertain

Still no!

Unless you were formally told that a meeting was a disciplinary one then it wasn't.

chipmoon

Thank you so much.

I hope you don't me asking one more question.

When I resigned, I refused to give a reason for leaving and didn't do the exit procedure that they asked me to do. They asked me am I resigning as a result of the disciplinary and I said "no, because its following me into the other job."

Later in a personal conversation, I just said it was "Personal Circumstances" but as it wasn't recorded, are my managers allowed to say it's because they were trying to discipline me but I resigned before they could do so?

One of my jobs that I've applied for does a screening prior to getting anything confirmed and they have said that all previous managers will be contacted and everything on the form that I submit will be verified. Are my managers allowed to tell them of this situation since it didn't get to disciplinary (as if they can, I'd rather do it myself).

Will they be allowed to tell them why they think I resigned as opposed to what I said or what wasn't recorded?

mum2one

chipmoon wrote: »

Thank you so much.

I hope you don't me asking one more question.

When I resigned, I refused to give a reason for leaving and didn't do the exit procedure that they asked me to do. They asked me am I resigning as a result of the disciplinary and I said "no, because its following me into the other job."

You don't have to give a reason for leaving.
Later in a personal conversation, I just said it was "Personal Circumstances" but as it wasn't recorded, are my managers allowed to say it's because they were trying to discipline me but I resigned before they could do so?
Personal conversation, - you answered personal cirucmstances, no issue

One of my jobs that I've applied for does a screening prior to getting anything confirmed and they have said that all previous managers will be contacted and everything on the form that I submit will be verified. Are my managers allowed to tell them of this situation since it didn't get to disciplinary (as if they can, I'd rather do it myself).


Will they be allowed to tell them why they think I resigned as opposed to what I said or what wasn't recorded?

A reference can only be honest the previous matter was all dealt informally from what you said, therefore there would be no record of a discilpinary of the hearing.

As you didn't give them a reason for resigning, then that it is they can answer, if they said why they think you resigned it wouldn't be standing as its a thought.

Most prospective employers, will get a general reference from ex-employer, such as time keeping, etc, sickness, what were they like.

Good luck with the job alpplication, don't worry.

chipmoon

Thank you so much for you help