Do you HAVE to accept a warning?

buel

Hi,
Quick question- my friend thinks he is likely to receive a warning from his employer for allowing himself to get into an argument with a colleague who his employers repeatedly put to work with my friend knowing full well that they dont get on.
My friend wants to know, do you HAVE to accept a warning from your employer if you dont agree with it?

Sambucus_Nigra

You can't not accept it but you can appeal it.

Did he not argue with the colleague then?

buel

Thanks for that,
Yes he did argue but doesn't understand the need for a disciplinary meeting.
Just out of interest, i've heard lots of stories of people refusing to accept or sign for warnings from their employer?

InsideInsurance

Their signature makes little difference, it is only a convenient proof that they have been informed of it and there are plenty of other methods of substantiating it if necessary

Sambucus_Nigra

buel wrote: »

Thanks for that,
Yes he did argue but doesn't understand the need for a disciplinary meeting.
Just out of interest, i've heard lots of stories of people refusing to accept or sign for warnings from their employer?

Well, ask for it to be explained to him then. It's very unprofessional to argue with colleagues; even if you despise them.

Where have you read these stories? What happened as a result?

MissSarah1972

You can refuse to sign one but it doesn't mean the warning wont stand. If you refuse to sign normally the independant person who takes the notes etc signs it on your behalf to say you have been issued with one and you refused to sign it. The signature is only to prove you have been given it and they have followed the correct proceedure.

If they just handed a written warning to the person with no witnesses and never asked them to sign it then it does not stand.

Sambucus_Nigra

I've never asked anyone to sign a warning - but I give them details on how to appeal it should they wish to.

MissSarah1972

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I've never asked anyone to sign a warning - but I give them details on how to appeal it should they wish to.

Then how do you prove they have read it, understood it and been given it?

scooby088

From the many warnings i have received over the years it has always been pointless signing anything. As long as i have a witness i'd accept it if i did what they have said. Plus there is a right to appeal any decision as long as that was made in writing.

Sambucus_Nigra

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

Then how do you prove they have read it, understood it and been given it?

Because another manager will be sat beside me, as will their representative. And it will be minuted. At they will also get the appeals process explained to them.

MissSarah1972

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Because another manager will be sat beside me, as will their representative. And it will be minuted. At they will also get the appeals process explained to them.

What if they do not have a representative? I always thought a warning should be signed as 100% proof.