Dismissed

Irn-Bru-Kid

A colleague of my OH has been dismissed from his job. He had been with the company 6/7 months

A couple of weeks ago he received a written warning for being late/sickness. He was late because of buses and sick a couple of days in total. They weren't happy, so he received a warning.

A couple of days ago, he was three minutes late. He was asked to fill out a form explaining why he was late and how he intended to make up the lost time. He explained about the bus and stated that he didn't plan to make up the lost time as 99% he was at his desk early in the morning and left later at night.

His supervisor was not happy with his comment regarding making up for lost time.

So, yesterday he receives a phone call from a very upset customer, demanding to speak with a manager. He couldn't find the manager and after a couple of minutes of the customer being on hold, a colleague says she will take over the call to let him answer more calls that were coming in. He would get into trouble if the calls were backing up.

The colleague messed up the call, never got the manager and pee'd the customer off even more.

Customer calls Head Office, claims that the guy she spoke to was very rude, she has been messed around etc. Head Office go crazy. Supervisor blames this guy, there is a bit of a discussion and the guy is sacked pretty much on the spot and escorted out of the building.

Surely this can't be right? Isn't there a procedure that should have been put in place? I know they can dismiss instantly for gross misconduct, but that hardly seems applicable here.

I would like to add that this guy was one of the top call takers. He trained newbies etc.

I just feel sorry for the guy. Is there anything he can do?

Although I'm all for a bit of a debate, I really just need to know if the employer is in the wrong. So I would appreciate if you could keep it factual.

Happy to supply more info if needed.

Many thanks

jobbingmusician

In haste, as I have a meeting starting v soon.

Employer hasn't done anything wrong, I'm afraid. No/very limited employment rights in first 2 years (!) of employment, and you can be dismissed for virtually anything. However, worth requesting a copy of their disciplinary policy - this may well exclude people in their first 6m of employment, but always worth checking the company has followed its own policies.

getmore4less

stated that he didn't plan to make up the lost time as 99% he was at his desk early in the morning and left later at night.


Not that smart then(or too smart for his own good).

They can let him go without reason within the year.

Thinking you can get away with being late after a written warning is blatent stupidity.

He marked his card, the manager was probably just waiting for something where he would not get challenged by his own boss.


Only chance is there is a contractual process and put in grievance/appeal using that policy.

He will be due his notice pay and accrued untaken holiday.

Irn-Bru-Kid

Thanks guys. He will just need to take it on the chin

anamenottaken

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

A colleague of my OH has been dismissed from his job. He had been with the company 6/7 months

A couple of weeks ago he received a written warning for being late/sickness. He was late because of buses and sick a couple of days in total. They weren't happy, so he received a warning.

A couple of days ago, he was three minutes late. He was asked to fill out a form explaining why he was late and how he intended to make up the lost time. He explained about the bus and stated that he didn't plan to make up the lost time as 99% he was at his desk early in the morning and left later at night.

His supervisor was not happy with his comment regarding making up for lost time.

So, yesterday he receives a phone call from a very upset customer, demanding to speak with a manager. He couldn't find the manager and after a couple of minutes of the customer being on hold, a colleague says she will take over the call to let him answer more calls that were coming in. He would get into trouble if the calls were backing up.

The colleague messed up the call, never got the manager and pee'd the customer off even more.

Customer calls Head Office, claims that the guy she spoke to was very rude, she has been messed around etc. Head Office go crazy. Supervisor blames this guy, there is a bit of a discussion and the guy is sacked pretty much on the spot and escorted out of the building.

Surely this can't be right? Isn't there a procedure that should have been put in place? I know they can dismiss instantly for gross misconduct, but that hardly seems applicable here.

I would like to add that this guy was one of the top call takers. He trained newbies etc.

I just feel sorry for the guy. Is there anything he can do?

Although I'm all for a bit of a debate, I really just need to know if the employer is in the wrong. So I would appreciate if you could keep it factual.

Happy to supply more info if needed.

Many thanks

I don't understand why he would say he wouldn't be making the time up if he is indeed at his desk early or late. Why not say, "yes, I'll stay late this evening"? Or when he gets to his desk early or stays late does he actually just read a newspaper or make personal phone calls?

McKneff

After the warning, you would have thought that he would have started getting an earlier bus..............

marybelle01

It's called keeping your head down. Being early when nobody asked you to be doesn't count. Being late when you are is not the time to argue the toss.