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Furious at ds work dismissal

990 replies

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 14:29

This is more has my 19 year old ds employers been unreasonable. He's just been sacked for being unreliable. For context - he accepted a new job about a month ago. He informed them of where he lives which is about a forty minute train journey away. He is a few minutes late everyday because of the trains and they said they were ok with it. He's just come off holiday (which he informed them of) and went back today. He was sent an email before today telling him to get an earlier train so he's on time. Fair enough, so he did and would've continued doing. At 9 he was called into a meeting to tell him his contracts been terminated for unreliability. He was only informed of getting an earlier train from today, so how can they dismiss him like this? If he continued to get the later train and continued being late then I'd understand but they've not even given him a chance. I'm absolutely furious. And to add insult to injury he still had to pay for his waste of time and money train fare this morning.

OP posts:
OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:53

MonaLisa3847 · 03/08/2026 21:50

My DS's first job was at a tuition centre and he'd come early to set up the tables and chairs for the session.

Oh that's nice, how lovely to have such a perfect child

OP posts:
Bananacrepewithnuts · 03/08/2026 21:52

JanuaryBug · 03/08/2026 20:15

Teach him that it's better to be an hour early than a minute late. That should sort him for his next job.

True.

He should chalk this one up to experience and ensure he sorts his timekeeping out going forward.

Also OP it might help if you drummed into him.aswell rather than making all these excuses for him.

Get up earlier. Be on time. It's really not hard.
X

Gengha · 03/08/2026 21:51

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:14

Good hope I get banned!!!

You can just leave you know.

God almighty no wonder there are so many useless Gen Z-ers in workplaces if this is how they are being parented. I wouldn’t say your son deserved to be sacked, as it’s not a nice thing to happen to anyone, but it’s entirely on him that he has been.

MonaLisa3847 · 03/08/2026 21:50

My DS's first job was at a tuition centre and he'd come early to set up the tables and chairs for the session.

Notasbigasithink · 03/08/2026 21:50

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 14:29

This is more has my 19 year old ds employers been unreasonable. He's just been sacked for being unreliable. For context - he accepted a new job about a month ago. He informed them of where he lives which is about a forty minute train journey away. He is a few minutes late everyday because of the trains and they said they were ok with it. He's just come off holiday (which he informed them of) and went back today. He was sent an email before today telling him to get an earlier train so he's on time. Fair enough, so he did and would've continued doing. At 9 he was called into a meeting to tell him his contracts been terminated for unreliability. He was only informed of getting an earlier train from today, so how can they dismiss him like this? If he continued to get the later train and continued being late then I'd understand but they've not even given him a chance. I'm absolutely furious. And to add insult to injury he still had to pay for his waste of time and money train fare this morning.

Did he really need a formal warning to realise that catching an earlier train would actually mean he would get to.work on time after being late for work every single day in a new job.......?! FFS 🙄🙄

ToKittyornottoKitty · 03/08/2026 21:49

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:45

I can take constructive criticism but all I've experienced is bitching. And what questions have I ignored? I've put everything I know, I didnt go to work with him and hold his hand, so I don't know if he was good at the job or he was lying about what was said about being late

Who said he can show up late (boss or colleague), whether he makes the time back, how much earlier the earlier train would have got him there, just to name a few. And you’ve had plenty of non bitchy comments, just because people think YABU it doesn’t mean they are ALL bitching, they just don’t agree with you. And some people have agreed with you anyway! Sounds like you are just angry in life to be honest.

BlueFahrenheit · 03/08/2026 21:49

EmeraldShamrock000 · 03/08/2026 21:45

Don’t rise to the bait OP. He’s 19. This experience won’t even be worth a second thought in the future. He will get another job, don’t be hard on him or yourself.
Most teenagers have issues in their first few jobs, not the saints on here but in real life. He’ll find something better.
It’s shit but it happens. He’s had a blip.

There are plenty of responsible teenagers who travel greater distances and still arrive at work on time 🙄

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:49

Futurehappiness · 03/08/2026 21:46

You need to get a grip OP and fast. You are not doing your DS any favours by making a big drama out of this. It was not a good job fit; these things happen. You should move on and help your DS move on asap. In a few years, when DS has long moved on to a more suitable job, you will either laugh or shrug when looking back on this.

Yes, I hope you're right

OP posts:
MonaLisa3847 · 03/08/2026 21:48

What kind of work is this? If this is a direct customer facing role, he deserved it. And deserved it regardless if it was directly brought up

Bananacrepewithnuts · 03/08/2026 21:46

How late did the later train make him?
X

Futurehappiness · 03/08/2026 21:46

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:14

Good hope I get banned!!!

You need to get a grip OP and fast. You are not doing your DS any favours by making a big drama out of this. It was not a good job fit; these things happen. You should move on and help your DS move on asap. In a few years, when DS has long moved on to a more suitable job, you will either laugh or shrug when looking back on this.

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:45

ToKittyornottoKitty · 03/08/2026 21:41

In fairness you absolutely cannot take constructive criticism, you’ve been angry since the start of the thread, have already flounced once and have ignored loads of questions in order to focus on ranting about how mean everyone is. This thread really isn’t doing you any good, it’s just attracting people that enjoy arguing as much as you do.

I can take constructive criticism but all I've experienced is bitching. And what questions have I ignored? I've put everything I know, I didnt go to work with him and hold his hand, so I don't know if he was good at the job or he was lying about what was said about being late

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 03/08/2026 21:45

Don’t rise to the bait OP. He’s 19. This experience won’t even be worth a second thought in the future. He will get another job, don’t be hard on him or yourself.
Most teenagers have issues in their first few jobs, not the saints on here but in real life. He’ll find something better.
It’s shit but it happens. He’s had a blip.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/08/2026 21:44

You are re-enforcing his unreasonable work behaviour by being furious. In what world can someone be late for work every day? I was probably late for word less than a handful of times in 40+ years.
Start parenting by giving proper guidance.

Palomiino · 03/08/2026 21:44

MNLurker1345 · 03/08/2026 21:28

Honesty @OneGreyBiscuit, if my DC lost a job because they didn’t understand that being five minutes late everyday was not acceptable, I would be saying exactly what has been said in this thread to them.

I have a niece who is really clever, works in tech, lost one of her first jobs at the Apple Store in central London because she was always just a little bit late. She still struggles with punctuality and aunty W, still tells her off.

No one is wishing you or your DS ill, but a bit of a reality check will not do him any harm.

Exactly this. Some people on AIBU can be downright spiteful for no reason but honestly I think most people can agree that not being late for work is a standard thing. Especially in this climate of 200 people wanting to apply for one job.

I do think people are trying to help you understand that being on time for work is essential for your son’s benefit.

BlueFahrenheit · 03/08/2026 21:43

ToKittyornottoKitty · 03/08/2026 21:41

In fairness you absolutely cannot take constructive criticism, you’ve been angry since the start of the thread, have already flounced once and have ignored loads of questions in order to focus on ranting about how mean everyone is. This thread really isn’t doing you any good, it’s just attracting people that enjoy arguing as much as you do.

I echo your thoughts.

OP has been deflecting because she knows her son shot himself in the foot.

Mathair2 · 03/08/2026 21:43

OP why are you still reading this thread? You've gotten your answers, and have taken extreme offence to being told you are being unreasonable. Your level of anger about this is extreme and way OTT.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/08/2026 21:42

ElfAndSafetyBored · 03/08/2026 14:32

Someone else might know better but I think he needs to call ACAS and ask for advice.

Bad advice

ToKittyornottoKitty · 03/08/2026 21:41

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:37

Harsh is an understatement. I think I'm just going to pick a random thread an put a nasty comment on it and see what satisfaction I get from it. Judging from this thread quite a lot.
I can take constructive criticism, I cannot take downright spitefulness. As I've stated before I know it is frustrating to see people walk in late and not pulled up on it but I wouldn't want them sacked for it.

In fairness you absolutely cannot take constructive criticism, you’ve been angry since the start of the thread, have already flounced once and have ignored loads of questions in order to focus on ranting about how mean everyone is. This thread really isn’t doing you any good, it’s just attracting people that enjoy arguing as much as you do.

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:40

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 03/08/2026 21:37

I doubt there is much your DS can do about it after a month.. two weeks if he's also been on pre booked holiday.

Just tell him its a life lesson and to adhere more strictly to the timings in his next job and help him get applying.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of how hard done by he is ... as that could affect his attitude to the next job.

That's what I've been doing today, useless parent that I am

OP posts:
BlueFahrenheit · 03/08/2026 21:40

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:37

Harsh is an understatement. I think I'm just going to pick a random thread an put a nasty comment on it and see what satisfaction I get from it. Judging from this thread quite a lot.
I can take constructive criticism, I cannot take downright spitefulness. As I've stated before I know it is frustrating to see people walk in late and not pulled up on it but I wouldn't want them sacked for it.

As a business owner, I will fire an employee who consistently comes in late.

2O26 · 03/08/2026 21:38

When he showed up a few minutes late, would he stay late at work or take a shorter lunch break to make up for it? It would be less of an issue if he did.

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:38

BlueFahrenheit · 03/08/2026 21:36

⭐

🥳🥳🥳

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 03/08/2026 21:37

I doubt there is much your DS can do about it after a month.. two weeks if he's also been on pre booked holiday.

Just tell him its a life lesson and to adhere more strictly to the timings in his next job and help him get applying.

I wouldn't make a big deal out of how hard done by he is ... as that could affect his attitude to the next job.

OneGreyBiscuit · 03/08/2026 21:37

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 03/08/2026 21:31

I know Mumsnet can be harsh at times but no-one would ever wish any harm on anyone, especially not what you said.

What i don't understand is why he didn't get the earlier train to begin with to get him there on time.

Harsh is an understatement. I think I'm just going to pick a random thread an put a nasty comment on it and see what satisfaction I get from it. Judging from this thread quite a lot.
I can take constructive criticism, I cannot take downright spitefulness. As I've stated before I know it is frustrating to see people walk in late and not pulled up on it but I wouldn't want them sacked for it.

OP posts:
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