Can employee be sacked for being a few minutes late?

marybelle01

charlie3090 wrote: »

does this worker take his full breaktime entitlement?,its possible that they may try and excuse it by saying for example " i only had 10 mins lunch instead of 30 mins,
C x

That isn't an excuse. For starters, the law says a minimum of 20 minutes and that's what you take - if you don't, more fool you. But you do not play "magic time" with your timesheet. If you start at 9:05 then that is what you put - not 9:00. If you need to discuss your breaks you do that. It isn't a carte blanche to claim any old starting time and finishing time.

MikeR371

charlie3090 wrote: »

does this worker take his full breaktime entitlement?,its possible that they may try and excuse it by saying for example " i only had 10 mins lunch instead of 30 mins,
C x

Well, he hasn't mentioned this yet and we haven't checked the cameras for it. But he's a regular smoker and I have little doubt that he would have spent in excess of his allotted 40 minutes away from his duties.

marybelle01

denla wrote: »

Usually when I'm late for 5 minutes I stay 10 minutes late to make up for the time. That guy's taking the !!!! lying on the timesheet. Make sure you have evidence and witnesses before complaining.

I was assuming that "he" is the OP!

ohreally

MikeR371 wrote: »

Well, he hasn't mentioned this yet and we haven't checked the cameras for it. But he's a regular smoker and I have little doubt that he would have spent in excess of his allotted 40 minutes away from his duties.

Not your concern - this is what management are for.

A camera isn't required when they have you.

And whats this "we", Kemo Sabe?

MikeR371

marybelle01 wrote: »

I was assuming that "he" is the OP!

I was trying to keep my position neutral when I OPosted! But no, I'm not the 'he'. I'm on the other side. I think I'm too soft, I was !!!!!-footing around on the issue but you're all correct, he needs to go. If he was let off with a warning then that would set a poor precedent. No more Mr Nice Guy!


ETA: the !!!!! referred to a common feline pet - didn't know that was a dodgy word!

CFC

Mike - does he actually write times on the timesheet, or is it a timesheet that has to be filled in with 15 minute sections?
There is room for error if the latter, if the lateness is less than 15 mins.
Is it a timesheet that has to be signed off by a manager, or is it entirely dependent on the employee filling it in?

Does not excuse coming in late and leaving early, but you should be clear in your mind about what you would expect to see when someone is late.

You have investigated because a co worker has complained. But do you know if others are also doing it who are more popular with their co workers and thus not generating a complaint? Is this a historic standard practice if people are late?

IMO you should consider these aspects, if this was my employee I would want to have an all round vision before proceeding.

westv

MikeR371 wrote: »

ETA: the !!!!! referred to a common feline pet - didn't know that was a dodgy word!

Stupid (American??) filtering software.

p.ussy, p.ussy, p.ussy, p.ussy, p.ussy, p.ussyp.ussy, p.ussy, p.ussy

sniggings

MikeR371 wrote: »

Wow thanks for the quick replies! Initially I thought it would seem a bit harsh for just a few minutes late here and there, but if it was a few hours it would undoubtedly be gross misconduct, so I guess you have to draw the line somewhere and that line has to be at zero.

you need to stop seeing it as a late issue, if he had put on the sheet, 9.08 and 4.52, he would still have been late and probably still been paid for 9-5 but he has now lied, the sacking would not for being late but for giving false info, a time sheet is done on trust, jus the same way that when using a clocking in machine, clocking someone else in, even for 1 min if they are not there is a sacking offence.

But after saying all that i do agree it is harsh, a warning or final warning would be enough.

sniggings

MikeR371 wrote: »

I was trying to keep my position neutral when I OPosted! But no, I'm not the 'he'. I'm on the other side. I think I'm too soft, I was !!!!!-footing around on the issue but you're all correct, he needs to go. If he was let off with a warning then that would set a poor precedent. No more Mr Nice Guy!


ETA: the !!!!! referred to a common feline pet - didn't know that was a dodgy word!

why no more MR Nice Guy, this is someone life you are talking about here, if he is a good worker etc then why would you feel you had to sack him because people on here you don't know and who don't know the person in question say to sack him.

I agree you need to be fair and stick to the rules but was he really meaning to steal 16 mins or was he just not wanting to be seen as late again.

To man up you need to do what you feel is right not what a bunch of saddos on here say.

Drunken_Daisy

paddedjohn wrote: »

For someone on £9/hr over a period of 5 days that equals a theft of £12/week. I would sack them on the spot.

How many employees stay after work to finish off unpaid paddlejohn, excluding those that never take their full lunch hour of course .



A word of warning , and some flexibility is all that's needed .