warning letter from work

worried123

Hello, so i have worked for the same company for over 20 years.  i work remotely and as part of my job i have to send items in the post back to the office.  I have been sending them for very many years and certainly would never `not` send them. A week ago somebody from work rang me to say certain items had not received.  I most definitely sent them without a shadow of a doubt but i cannot prove this.  I conveyed that i certainly sent them, you know me, when did i ever not send them, etc.  I suggested there may have been a problem with the post or perhaps even on the receiving end.
Today i have received a formal letter (sent via email..not an ordinary email but a letter that i had to open) explaining the problems that could occur for the company if these items are not received and saying it could affect my performance related quarterly bonus.  The letter was written by my area manager but the letter came from the head of department where she simply headed it `warning` and said, hi, thanks......(i find it very low and unprofessional)
Obviously i am taken aback but can they legally/professionally etc...send me a formal warning when they cannot prove the mistakes that have happened as being my fault...which they are not as i posted the items as i always do.  I have told them i shall hand them over int eh post office and ask for proof of postage in the future.

thanks...

jonnygee2

Frankly their position is ridiculous. Everybody in the country is surely aware that post is being delayed at the moment?

It doesn't seem like there's a lot you can do other than make sure you keep proof of postage in the future. And maybe consider it high time to move to an employer where the managers are slightly more intelligent? (although your 20 year service is invaluable in times like these). Unless you have a reciept? card transaction etc?

worried123

many thanks for your reply.  i found it quite hurtful to be honest and dont think its appropriate.

elsien

It does seem odd that they've jumped straight to a warning. 
Are there any other performance concerns that you are aware of? 

worried123

No, there have never been any problems.  The head of dept who sent the letter headed warning is not the nicest person and i did indeed leave another company some time back to escape her as did a few other colleagues only for the company i joined to buy that company and along she came again!!

Dox

worried123 said:

No, there have never been any problems.  The head of dept who sent the letter headed warning is not the nicest person and i did indeed leave another company some time back to escape her as did a few other colleagues only for the company i joined to buy that company and along she came again!!

There's your answer, I fear. The solution is to get proof of posting, but to avoid trips to the post office, how about using a courier who will collect from home and then the item is tracked in transit as well as your being able to demonstrate it was 'posted'. People love to knock Hermes, but if you get the company to agree to using them (same cost as Royal Mail, often cheaper), that's not your problem.

worried123

Hi, many thanks for the suggestions.  At the moment we are furloughed so it isnt a problem...normally the items sent in a pre paid envelope straight into royal mail post boxes.  The solution would be to take them into the post office and get proof of postage.  (which to be honest, i would not do in this current climate and would be one to get around for the future).

thank you again.

GHolmesAdmin

I sent some legal documents first-class, first thing last Monday morning and they arrived today - Friday - I'm just glad they have arrived. Your employer sounds like a nightmare, keep any emails, etc that they send in relation to this I think they may well be useful later, oh, and be sickly sweet reasonable with them whatever they say.

ToxicWomble

Not that it matters (maybe it does) but your posts are confusing as to whether you have worked for the company for 20 years or not as you later say you moved company to escape from her.

oh_really

Why aren't you obtaining proof of postage on all mailings anyway, don't leave yourself exposed to management in this way when it can be avoided.

Manxman_in_exile

oh_really said:

Why aren't you obtaining proof of postage on all mailings anyway, don't leave yourself exposed to management in this way when it can be avoided.

That was my first thought too on reading the OP.  If these documents/letters are so critical to the company I'd make sure I had proof of posting for each and every one.