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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my manager could have been a bit more understanding?

86 replies

Onceandforallitsallfine · 20/07/2020 20:22

Got a formal warning from my manager for being late to work this morning. All ready to go out the door, DD asks for a quick drink of milk, quickly got her a cup of milk and next minute she pours it all over me causing me to have to get changed again and then be late for work.

OP posts:
Idontgiveagriffindamn · 20/07/2020 20:24

A formal warning for a one off being late incident is harsh. A quick chat would have been enough.
Is this the first incident?

Mmsnet101 · 20/07/2020 20:24

How many times have you been late and how late were you?

Original poster
Onceandforallitsallfine · 20/07/2020 20:24

@Mmsnet101

How many times have you been late and how late were you?
Last time I was late was in January. Was 15 minutes late this morning
OP posts:
PumpkinPie2016 · 20/07/2020 20:25

How late were you? Have you been late before?

On the face of it, it seems a bit harsh, especially if it's a one off.

If you are regularly absent/late then I can see why they may have given a warning.

Lockheart · 20/07/2020 20:25

Not your fault you're late but not their problem either. I'm surprised they went straight to a formal warning, unless you were very late or unless you're regularly late.

NoMoreReluctantCustodians · 20/07/2020 20:26

Depends on whether you are late a lot or if its the first time ever.

Fletchings · 20/07/2020 20:29

if it is unusual for you then harsh. Also, what do you mean by 'formal' warning? Is it a written warning that goes into your file and where repeats will trigger automatically disciplinary actions?

Also, pre January, how often were you late?

ParisianLady · 20/07/2020 20:33

It does seem harsh, but 15 minutes late due to getting changed is quite a long time. Wouldn't you just grab the nearest clean thing, dump the dirty clothes in the wash basket and run out of the door? It's 4 or 5 mins max

Surely you were already running late or cutting it really right by the point of the spill.

And late is late, doesn't matter what the cause was, split milk or missed train....impact is the same.

What was the impact to the business? Eg was it a shop that couldn't open or a customer with a late running appointment, or something less significant?

DancingInDespair · 20/07/2020 21:14

On the face of it, it sounds harsh if this is the only time you have been late.

Scarydinosaurs · 20/07/2020 21:26

And before January? Have you been warned before?

THisbackwithavengeance · 20/07/2020 21:30

YANBU. The manager is ridiculous. How on earth do companies think they can get the best out of workers when they are so petty and treat employees like little children.

Twickerhun · 20/07/2020 21:35

Are you in the uk? Did they follow due process? Invite you to a meeting with proper notification etc? Give you a chance to respond?

Alloverthegrapevine · 20/07/2020 21:38

If spilt milk made you 15 mins late are you almost late or a minute or two late on a regular basis?

Straight to formal warning for a one off does seem harsh, so is there more to this? Are they happy with your performance when you are there?

Busymum45 · 20/07/2020 21:39

Blimey seems a bit harsh ?

purpledagger · 20/07/2020 21:40

Based on the information you provided, it does sound unreasonable. But, if there is a problem with timekeeping within your team/organisation, then your manager may be cracking down on everyone and so can't treat you differently to others who are also late.

purpledagger · 20/07/2020 21:40

Based on the information you provided, it does sound unreasonable. But, if there is a problem with timekeeping within your team/organisation, then your manager may be cracking down on everyone and so can't treat you differently to others who are also late.

purpledagger · 20/07/2020 21:41

Based on the information you provided, it does sound unreasonable. But, if there is a problem with timekeeping within your team/organisation, then your manager may be cracking down on everyone and so can't treat you differently to others who are also late.

CherryPavlova · 20/07/2020 21:41

It’s harsh and unreasonable. Definitely not the best way to get the most out of people but maybe set off ten minutes earlier, so that it’s not an issue in future. Or learn to say no to your daughter and tell her breakfast is for eating and drinking.

Tanfastic · 20/07/2020 21:45

On the face if it it sounds harsh. However I always aim to get to work fifteen minutes before I start so I can get settled in, turn on my computer etc. If you do this it gives you a bit if breathing space if things go wrong which are out of your control. Just a thought.

Tanfastic · 20/07/2020 21:46

On the face if it it sounds harsh. However I always aim to get to work fifteen minutes before I start so I can get settled in, turn on my computer etc. If you do this it gives you a bit if breathing space if things go wrong which are out of your control. Just a thought.

Nicknacky · 20/07/2020 21:48

Have you been warned previously about lateness?

cabbageking · 20/07/2020 21:49

Have you been in furlough and just returned to work?

Oblomov20 · 20/07/2020 21:50

Seems ott.

GreyGardens88 · 20/07/2020 21:52

Yes very harsh if you've not been late since January, I'd look around for other jobs x

Lockdownlooks · 20/07/2020 21:54

Have you been working from home/furlough during the lockdown? Hard to gauge how unreasonable- depends on previous record with lateness/other issues.