Lateness and verbal warning

[Pinkginxx]

Looking for an unbiased view, so I'll ask an open question. Over a period of 12 months, how many times would you think an employee has to be late to trigger a verbal warning?

Once?! Unless it was a genuine complete emergency I would be in real trouble if I just turned up late.

I’m a teacher. I have never ever been late for work and neither have any of my colleagues

Depends how late and why. I'd say two or three times if genuine emergencies.

In my old job, once would be enough if you had no good reason.

Our policy is 3 occasions gets a formal.meeting which would be an official verbal warning.

Depends on the employer. We used to start at 8.30, but the doors (to the public) did not open until 9, so if you were a little bit late, but still totally ready for doors open at 9, no one really minded.

Ok, appears I've previously worked in places which were much more flexible
Would you count totally unavoidable instances? I know all lateness to some degree is unavoidable, but my situation is that I get the very first bus of the day to get me in on time. This was discussed pre-employment as it's an out of the way location and too far to taxi (obviously I don't drive). A few occasions the bus hasn't shown up and twice it's broken down en-route. As that's totally outside of my control would you count those occasions when totalling up lateness?

I’m never late if I can avoid it but then I do rely on good old Scotfail and my employers understand.

I wouldn't hold that against you as long as you made up the time during the week. However different company different rules!

It depends , where I work if you clock in at 9.01 it's late so if you do that every day you would get a verbal warning if it was occasionally that's ok as traffic etc . Some place if your late up to 15 minutes that's ok as long as you make time up at the end of the day . I suppose if you work in a shop or at a school you can't be late for obvious reasons.
I think once is a bit extreme I mean traffic can be unavoidable.

A few occasions the bus hasn't shown up and twice it's broken down en-route.

That's a lot of lateness, how late are you roughly, 10 minutes an hour etc? You say a taxi isn't possible, why not? The bus service doesn't seem at all reliable, so you're going to look at other options. I'm quite surprised you've been late so often and only now received a warning for it.

Have you had a letter following up the verbal warning?
If so it should outline what they expect from now and in what circumstances they will move to writen warning.

And they should provide you with a copy of the whole disciplinary procedure.

Using public transport as an excuse wouldn’t cut it where I work.
If you couldn’t get to work on time 99% of the time (freak snow storm) you shouldn’t have applied.

Can you request a meeting to discuss if there is anyway you can come to an agreement for how you make the time up on the unavoidable instances?

Also have you phoned as soon as you can to let someone know you will be late? Is there an answer phone you can leave a message on if it's before others get in?

Yes agree with above, its not the company's issue how you get to work, only that you do and that you are on time.

No where is too far for a taxi

I didn't apply, they approached me knowing of the public transport situation.
I'm not in any form of customer facing/speaking role. I've just been told rather apologetically that it's company procedure and not to worry about it, but obvs not happy with it being on my record.
I thought being late every other month or so wasn't that bad but it seems I'm wrong

I think anywhere can be too far for a taxi if you can't afford it!

Of course some places are too far for a taxi, or at least for it to be financially viable for a daily commute, what a ridiculous thing to say!

Could you ask to adjust your hours so you don't have to worry about being late? Say start at 9:30 instead of 9 and work later?

Thete should be a time period after which a verbal warning is removed/inactivated.

That should be in their letter too.

If you are not sure on any of that side if things, ask for clarity from boss and/or HR

Every other month or so that seams a bit harsh . Is it just a few minutes and do you make it up ?

I suppose it depends on your job.
We regularly turn up 5 to 10 mins late and it's not a big deal. Any kater and staff will Phoned to say when they are coming in.
I'm not aware of Any one being disciplined ever for lateness.
We are on time for external meetings and the like though.

I also get the last bus home so not in a position to permenantly change my hours, although the home bus is usually late so I more than make up anytime missed
When I am late I'm admittedly super late as the buses only run every hour. But will always text/call in (texting is seen as completely acceptable)

When I am late I'm admittedly super late as the buses only run every hour.

This is pretty bad, and I would pay for a taxi in those circumstances as it shows more willing than waiting another hour. Also although you say you're making up time that has been lost, there must be a reason they want you in for the time they do. Even if they knew about the public transport before hand I doubt they were expecting you to be that late, and as frequently as you are. Is there not a chance of a lift share, or working at another location?