Question for those in supervisory positions --

[Tuesday Afternoon]

Back Story:
You have an employee of the past eight months who has never missed a day or been late for work. Normal working hours are from 2-8pm. Wednesday has been re-scheduled to 12-6pm. Employee has not arrived by 12 on Wednesday. Employee finally arrives for normal regular scheduled 2-8pm shift and is surprised to see that shift is already in progress. Employee apologizes profusely and states that was not aware of change in time of shift. "Employee wonders why not pick up the phone and call me? You know I could be here in 20 minutes."

Question:
You, as supervisor, what is policy, procedure, cause or concern, any action taken and what?

[SeattleGirl]

1. If it's a one-time thing, I'd let it go.

I've been a supervisor and a district manager, and believe me, it's a very small pea in a large pod.

If it continues to happen, that's a different story.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. action was taken

employee was written up by supervisor. Employee was told that it was not the supervisor's responsibility to make a phone call.

[SeattleGirl]

3. So, was there a notification either prominently displayed or sent or

verbally told to the employee of the change?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. There was a board at the front entrance of the parking lot

stating that it was an early dismissal day for students. On the way out of work Tuesday afternoon as employee's back was turned, Supervisor called out, over a loud roar (children yelling, and playing with noisemakers) in cafeteria: "See you tomorrow at 11:30." Employee's back was turned and was walking out the door as this was being said.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Doesn't sound that definite to me.

Person may have hearing problems; the surrounding noise could have blocked out what the person said, etc.

Me, I usually give someone the benefit of the doubt the first time.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. Write up was issued by Supervisor.

Employee is now seeking job oppotunities with other companies. Will turn in resignation as soon as something suitable appears. Employee will be using all accrued paid time off to job search and interiview with potential Employers.

[SeattleGirl]

13. My question was about whether the info was clear the the employee

before the shift change.

If that was the case, I would definitely give the employee another chance.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. Supervisor is of the position that the info should have been

clear to the employee. Supervisor is determined that this is all employee's fault and that said employee is undependable.

[Gormy Cuss]

30. Employee also needs to respond to the write-up in writing

so that it's part of your personnel file. The respond should be limited to detailing the following:

***you received neither a face-to-face nor written notification of the change (posting it on a board doesn't count unless there is a documented history of this board being the primary mode of notification in the past.)

***had the supervisor called you when you didn't show on time (1st time ever) you could have been on the job 20 minutes later.


Go ahead with your job search and good luck.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

31. Thanks Gormy. I sure could use some good luck.

Can you believe the supervisor said it was not her responbility to call :wtf:....that just floored me. When I have been supervisor, that was the first thing I did when a normally prompt employee is late. CALL. something/anything could have happened and I need to find coverage. :wtf:

NOT HER RESPONSIBLITY ???? I am still trying to wrap my head around that one :crazy:

[Connonym]

4. I don't supervise any more but I did for quite a while when I worked for the post office

We actually had stuff like that happen a couple of times and it wasn't really a big deal. Misunderstandings happen, we're human, right? I would let it go without further comment unless the employee had an attitude or was an asshole or it kept happening. I think that in this case any supervisor who wasn't a total dick would do the same. But you never really know because some people become supervisors simply because they like being in control so they may make a big deal of it to puff themselves up. Gosh, hard to predict because something like that really depends on the personality of the individual involved.

If that was you (I'm assuming) I'd try to not worry about it. Be really conscientious to be there on time and I would think that it will just blow over with no repercussions. And honestly, if your supervisor is enough of a jerk to give you shit about that then I think they're going to be very difficult to get along with so you might want to think about looking for a different job because life is too short to work for assholes if you don't have to.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. I am looking for another job. I was the employee.

I was upset to learn that my boss does not care enough about me as a human being to call out of concern for my welfare.

When I was a supervisor, I called my good employees to make sure they were ok and see if they needed any help...

I guess times have changed.

[Connonym]

12. that really sucks

I think it was totally uncalled for and your supervisor is clearly a jerk. I hope you find a better job soon. Being around toxic people like that is not good for your mental or physical health. Good luck :hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. Thank you Connonym.

I thought I would hear a voice of reason on here :hug:

[crispini]

5. If I were the supervisior,

I would let it go. Once is not a pattern.

And, furthermore, I think that the employee was perfectly logical in his question. If I were a supervisor, and I had such a good employee that never missed work, and then was late, I would probably actually worry a little bit about the person.

Sure, it's the employee's job to be there, but it's also the supervisor's job to fill the shift and make sure the work gets done. My boss has called me more than once when I spaced a conference call -- the occasions are few and far between, but stuff happens.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Thank you crispini. It is good to know that common sense and

common courtesy has not completely died.

[Kitty Herder]

11. Though I'm no longer a supervisor, I find it very odd that a supervisor

would not call under such circumstances. I'd be concerned about the employee.

When schedules change, things like this happen sometimes. As long as the employee doesn't make a pattern of it, it shouldn't be a big deal. We're all human.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. That was my first thought as well.

My first concern was at the human level...

I am shocked to learn that I don't matter as a human being to my supervisor.

[tjwmason]

17. Let it go.

This is very clearly not a bad employee, and I would certainly give the benefit of the doubt over the time change. If it's repeated that's a very different kettle of fish.

I would look into how the change in timings was communicated, things like that are dealt with on a very informal and personal basis round here - but that's not always possible in larger organisations.

I would probably have called if an employee did not appear on time (obviously giving a reasonable sway for circumstances such as traffic) and hadn't called or e-mailed in.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. Thank you. You sound like a caring person and a concerned

boss who understands how to team work and keep good morale.

[tjwmason]

19. I refuse to leave my humanity at the door.

Thankfully I work in a place where this is appreciated - but first and foremost I am a person, and those I work with are all also people.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. Yes. So few seem to realize this anymore, Common civility has

been thrown by the wayside as people continue to pursue the "greed is good" attitude.

Oh well. I need a full time job anyway.

Thanks for confirming my thought process. :hi:

[mainegreen]

20. Why is it I was expecting a sex thread based on the title?

If you had the time, call the employee after they were an hour late.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. She had plenty of time to call...other employees suggested she

call. She told them, it was not her responsibility.

sex thread = all lounge threads are sex threads :D

[philosophie_en_rose]

22. I'd have called.

I don't think it's possible for a supervisor to call every employee that's late. However, two hours are a long time to wait. I'd call, just to see if everything was all right. And on a practical level, I'd need to know if I needed someone to cover that day.

I would have let it go. If I had to write someone up (because of policies or something), it would be something about miscommunication and reviewing whatever I did to communicate the schedule. Not a big deal.

:shrug:

[KSinTX]

24. I would realize employees are human

1. I wouldn't have called until after the old start time had passed and presumed either emergency or head space error.

2. I'd have a sit-down with employee for a refresher on the policy on checking the schedule.

3. Eight months is not an inordinately long employment and I would emphasize what's been right with the worker's performance/timeliness and how we could work to do better and put it in writing. (Then again, I put everything in writing.)

Edit: spelling

[fight4my3sons]

25. I used to be a supervisor.

Had I been in that position I would have called by 12:30 looking for the employee to see if they were coming in or if everything was ok (sick, car broke down).
When they did come in at 2 that day and I found out that they were unaware of the schedule change I would have said "that's ok, it happens. Don't let it happen again." Everyone makes mistakes, don't they? In fact, I have made the same mistake myself. :blush:

[Chan790]

26. Sounds like an abuse of power...

may I ask what company? (It's all right if you say no.)

A lot of large companies, particularly in food service or retail have what is known as "skip-level review" policy. That means that you have the right to meet with and contest any write-up or policy/order which you believe (illegal/unethical/violating company policy/violating oversight (health code, OSHA, etc.) regulations) with either their supervisor (or in some cases, such as Starbucks where I work...their supervisor's supervisor.) Large companies don't always have the time to screen supervisory candidates well enough for upper management's liking...this is a way to check the egos of low-level supervisors and install case-review procedures.

Of course, it's useless if you don't know you have this protection...and you don't really expect your supervisor to tell you that you have any means to get them fired or check their authority. Do you?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. It is the public school system,

in the after-school program. :shrug:

[MichiganVote]

35. Lot of little Hitlers in a public system...school or otherwise.

It shouldn't be a big deal this time. If it is...and you can get other work...I'd look around.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

42. I have already put in 5 applications. I am looking around.

I also wrote a response on the write up and then signed it.

[khashka]

27. Having been there....

Sounds like an honest mistake. I'd just say "OK, but pay more attention".

But the boss also made a mistake - not calling.

Khash.

[unpossibles]

28. I would let it slide since they have a good record

and it could be an honest mistake.

[electron_blue]

32. ideally, take action the first time, as in remind this person of the rules,

make it clear that you won't call them when/if they don't show up, and then let it go. Not a big deal for such an otherwise good employee.

[Rabrrrrrr]

33. Sounds like yor supervisor is one of those power-hungry managment types,

not a real management type.

Sad, really.

I'm sorry that happened to you. No decent manager would write an employee for their first time late, especially given that it was a one-shot bizarrely rescheduled day and not really well-advertised as such, either.

What a dick.

[Jimbo S]

34. I'd let it go.

If they show up, they show up. If they don't, then they're AWOL.

But I wouldn't phone him/her at home, though. I'm not their mother.

[Danger Mouse]

36. Kill the bastard.

...well, hey, it worked for Reagan. :hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

43. Maybe I can get Skittles

to kick her ass :D :hi:

[mokawanis]

37. That's a good employee

good work record, never late before or missed a day of work. Comes in late on the first day of the new schedule and you wonder if he should be punished????

My bosses have an attendance policy that I consider to be typically stupid and harsh - but it does not call for any disciplinary action until the 4th episode of tardiness in a year. The first 3 are freebies.

Let it go, and be glad you have an employee who's conscientious about showing up on time for work.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

44. Thank you. I am THAT employee. --

My Supervisor wrote me up :shrug:

[huskerlaw]

38. I've been the employee in that situation

our schedule was changed due to the end of a semester (I work at a university) and I completely spaced it and showed up at the regular time...FOUR HOURS late.

When I walked in the door, my supervisor acted all mad and was like "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Only then did I realize that I'd messed up. But she was completely cool about it. Gave me shit about it for a while (jokingly), but certainly didn't write me up. Of course now, when our schedule changes everyone makes SURE to tell me *numerous* times. ;)

Your supervisor is being ridiculous.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

45. Thank you. She had 4 employees tell her to give me a call --

She refused and was adamant in saying that it was not her responsibility :crazy:

[Turbineguy]

39. First of all

give the employee the benefit of the doubt. A written warning is a delicate question. Perhaps one should be filed and then pulled and discarded after say, a month.

Ultimately the Supervisor is the adult in the situation. That means it's up to the Supervisor to make sure that employees know there is a change.

As for calling the late employee, I would do that unless I was simply far too busy and did not have the chance. Somebody probably could have called. It's no excuse for the employee however that no one did.

To have the Employee looking for a new job is in my view the second worst outcome.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

47. Employee (me) is looking for a new job. What is your first worst

outcome? :shrug:

Thanks for your comments. :D

[Turbineguy]

55. Getting fired.

But loosing a good employee is alwyas a bad thing. But I am sure you can find somebody better to work for. And this so-called supervisor could learn a thing or two, but it's not your job to teach that lesson. Not now anyway.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

58. Gotcha. Thanks.

You are right, it is not my job, not this time. ;)

[triguy46]

40. 1. Verbal counseling...

with explanation of how to avoid this happening in the future and asking if employee understands. Of course, no pay for the 2 hours missed. Hell, shit happens.

[wain]

41. If it was you, how would you want your supervisor to handle? n/t

[Tuesday Afternoon]

48. It was me. I would have appreciated it if my Supervisor would have

called me. I have been a supervisor and that is what I would have done.
Thanks for the comment and welcome to DU :D :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

46. Believe employee, take in to account how that employee is valued

and let it be known the one-time occurrence is let go...with the caveat that now there should be no misunderstanding.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

49. Thanks Whoa_Nelly

:hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

60. TA!

am behind you 100%...and that's a fact! :hug:

[Generic Brad]

50. You should not have been written up

Unless the shift change was relayed to you in writing or told to everyone in a group meeting, how could you be expected to know? Posting a sign and assuming everyone has read it is a poor management technique.

I have too many people working for me to check up on them when they are late, but that is besides the point. This sounds like a communication breakdown that was caused by the supervisor. You should not have been written up.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

51. Thank you. I was out last Friday for a funeral. I suspect they had

a meeting that day and no one told me. I think my Supervisor is under the impression that I was at that meeting (if indeed there was one).

The write up states that there was several meetings. How can she prove it? There are no minutes and there is no written roll taken of who has attended these meetings?

I am considering calling my Supervisor's Boss. I made sure to write a note on the write-up and I did not "sign" it.

When the write-up was given to me, my Supervisor said "We are not talking about this, just sign it." :shrug: :wtf: :crazy:

[Generic Brad]

52. The lack of communication and record keeping astounds me

What size company do you work for? Large? Medium? Small business?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

53. The public school system after school program. I am a state

employee, part-time....less than 20 hours a week. I am looking at this as the kick in my ass to find a full-time job regardless of where or what. ~sigh~

[Generic Brad]

56. That's probably the best for you

I would have a heard time doing my best in such an unfair environment too.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

57. I am really torn about this...I really love this little job but,

I can not pay my bills. I was looking at it as a steppingstone into a real classroom. I don't think this is indicative of the classroom experience.

[DarkTirade]

54. I've been in low-level supervisory positions before...

and your supervisor is being more than a wee bit unreasonable.

If you didn't know, you didn't know. It's not your fault, and there is NO reason you should be blamed for not knowing. If the supervisor is too stubborn to take that little fact into account, supervisor is an ASS.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

59. Supervisor over reacted, that is for sure. She is in a tizzy because

inspection time is here.