Very 1st disaplinary ... I feel sick

Cookiee

Hi all

I have been informed that due to an error I made on a quotation, I will now have a 1st stage disaplinary on performance

I have never been in this position and I feel sick to the stomach. My manager has spoken to me before about my performance but this was only due to an error made 5 months ago.

Whilst I accept this error was my mistake, I am fustrated that 2 mistakes in 1 year can justify a 1st stage disaplinary!

I know you guys cant offer any advice and I am just going to have to take it on the chin but as I have never had a disaplinary ever before, I am worried that I am going to get upset in the meeting on Thursday and look like an idiot.

I am also slightly annoyed that I know other people have made mistakes and they have not been brought up on disaplinary but I feel like I am being made an example because the MD and I do not get on.

My sales manager said that he does not want to get rid of me as 90% of the time my work is excellent however he has no option but to go down this route. I was upset when he told me and I did (stupidly) offer my resignation but he said I would need to think if this is what I really want to do.

I dont really want to quit but the embarressment of having this type of disaplinary on my work record, knowing all the senior managers will know I have this on my record and also knowing that my boss will have zero confidence in me makes me feel awful.

Has anyone else had a disaplinary for performance before? How long do they stay on your record? There is nothing in my company proceedures about how long but I do miss out on my end of year bonus as well ...(so long being debt free and starting to try for a baby)

Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent and you peeps are normally great for advice and support x

guardianangel

Can you clarify a couple of things, do you have any current warnings (ie verbal). I'm surprised that if its performance and you don't have a verbal warning that this was not issued. The only thing I can think of is that they are going down the misconduct route for failing to follow procedure which has resulted in an incorrect quote.

They can issue a warning for either 3, 6 or 12 months. They stay on file during that period and so as long you don't do anything wrong during that period you're fine. However, if you get disciplined again, it will be taken into account.

Have you been invited to a meeting? Can I ask what the wording of the allegation.

The warning may have an impact on your bonus but that depends on the wording on your policy. If you can not find that it's linked then you have nothing to worry about.

CFC

Hi Cookiee, please try not to get yourself too worked up about this. It's very unfortunate, and it's very embarassing, but you need to just focus on making sure that you don't make any further mistakes.
Is it possible that you've made 2 mistakes because you rush or you don't get someone to error check it for you? Is it worth asking when you have your outcome meeting for someone to check your work for you?
I understand your frustration but potentially 2 errors in quotation could cost the company a lot of money. That is why you are being taken to disciplinary.

DebtClearer

I used to ( thank God no more) work in HR. The reality here is that disciplinarys are never good but their importance in reality is based on the culture of the organisation. The most worrying thing is that people sometimes feel they are being marched out the door and this is the first step...that isn't to scare you I just want you to breath and assess the situation to protect yourself.

At this stage you need to start making a diary based on your work and any important conversations about performance. Go in to the disciplinary and explain that you are dissapointed but show a willingness to learn from any mistakes you have made. Do though be proactive in monitoring conversations people are having with you keeping key e-mails and all you need.

jobbingmusician

Also, disciplinaries are really supposed to be a mechanism to help staff improve their work to the standard required. Maybe your employer is one of the very few that actually uses them like that?

In any case, it can only hope if you go into the meeting with that attitude. Say that you are really upset to be facing a disc, but that you understand it is your opportunity to work together with them to improve your performance, which is what you really want to do. Have a think before the meeting about what failsafes you could build into your work so that you are not at risk of issuing a faulty quote. Maybe the company really does need someone to check them before they go out - for all employees, I mean. We all make mistakes - when I submit bids for funding, for my organisation, it really helps if someone reads them before they are sent!