Advice for my son who has been sacked

ReadingTim

0161a wrote: »

As regards mobile phone use, I have found a document:

'Mobile phones must be switched off before entering the contact centre and must only be used i your own time, ie, breaks, lunch and at the beginning and end of your shift'

I know I am probably grasping at straws here but could a toilet visit be considered a break? and he did turn it back off before leaving the toilets.

He hasn't been well and said he was sweating and worrying about the neighbour and when he needed the loo he thought that would be a good time to check for updates and hopefully calm himself down

Irrelevant - he's been there less than 2 years so they can get rid of him for virtually anything and everything, and entirely legally to boot.

Appreciate this isn't the answer you want to hear, but move on and spend time and energy finding the next job, not trying to win this one back.

LilElvis

0161a wrote: »

As regards mobile phone use, I have found a document:

'Mobile phones must be switched off before entering the contact centre and must only be used i your own time, ie, breaks, lunch and at the beginning and end of your shift'

I know I am probably grasping at straws here but could a toilet visit be considered a break? and he did turn it back off before leaving the toilets.

He hasn't been well and said he was sweating and worrying about the neighbour and when he needed the loo he thought that would be a good time to check for updates and hopefully calm himself down

A reasonable interpretation is that they mean during the defined break periods otherwise they could have staff popping to the toilets every 20 minutes in order to check their Facebook/ Instagram etc.

theoretica

0161a wrote: »

I know I am probably grasping at straws here but could a toilet visit be considered a break? and he did turn it back off before leaving the toilets.

From the employer's point of view that looks rather too like hiding away in the loos to check his phone. A toilet visit with phone check will take longer, on average, than just a toilet visit so they will not want their staff doing this, whether this particular occasion was brief or not.



I hope he soon finds another job.

0161a

The neighbour was like a father figure

oldernonethewiser

0161a wrote: »

The neighbour was like a father figure

Very nice but of no use to your son as far as his dismissal goes.


Get him working on his CV.

TELLIT01

oldernonethewiser wrote: »

Company aware of his issues, that's good.



Does company policy state that phones must not be used on the premises?
I assume the manager challenged him about the phone otherwise there would have been no reason for him to mention it.



What was the official reason in the letter given for him being dismissed?

The OP stated that one of the disciplinaries was for using the phone, which I why I said that doing it again was a stupid thing to do.

KatrinaWaves

0161a wrote: »

The neighbour was like a father figure

There is no concern for neighbour/father figure/father/mother employment rights.

He has messed up. Clearly this work environment isn’t right for him anyway.

oldernonethewiser

TELLIT01 wrote: »

The OP stated that one of the disciplinaries was for using the phone, which I why I said that doing it again was a stupid thing to do.

I know, I was merely trying to clarify the policy. As it happens, owing to the length of service, it is immaterial as the OP now knows.

iammumtoone

0161a wrote: »

The neighbour was like a father figure

Even if it was his Father I am afraid this wouldn't have made any difference.

You said yourself the manager had it in for him, he handed them a reason to get rid of him on a plate.

I would concentrate on putting all efforts into helping him get over this and move on rather than trying to find a get out clause. It is unfortunate what has happened and yes he was unlucky but you can't change it. Look at the positives once he is settled into a new job then he will realise this was probably a good thing, working for a manager who has it in for you is no good for anyones health.

Focus on how he can address this at future interviews. Whatever you do, do this in a way he is not criticising the company, much better to explain he has learnt from the mistake and it will never happen again.

theoretica

0161a wrote: »

The neighbour was like a father figure

If he had explained and asked to check his phone a few times that day they might have agreed, but retrospectively they aren't going to change their mind.