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Original poster

McDonalds Disciplinary

102 replies

OlafLovesAnna · 19/03/2022 15:09

My 16 yr old had an investigation today today as he missed one shift (didn't know he had it) and was sick for his next one. All his fault and it's his first job so he's finding his feet. When he went to the meeting today he was told he had to attend a disciplinary meeting next week with a more senior staff member and have sanctions from there.

My question is that given he's not in a union is it wise to ask for someone to accompany him to the meeting. The letter says he could also be accompanied by a colleague.

Also, he's on a 0 hours contract, so presumably they could just dismiss him. He doesn't have any mitigating circumstances, he was just disorganised.

He's quite worried about it and would like to know what to expect.

OP posts:

MrsWinters · 19/03/2022 16:56

Just as an add on I was previously a senior manager at head office of a high street chain, and if I heard that a store manager had put one of our 16 year olds through a disciplinary for something like this I would’ve been apoplectic and hauled the manager in afterwards. Totally inappropriate

user1471504747 · 19/03/2022 16:57

Please don’t phone for him OP and say they’re being harsh or anything like that. If he’s old enough to work he’s old enough to know when his shifts are and how to call in sick.

In not following that he’s shown immaturity, you calling on his behalf will only further that in their minds.

With any luck it’ll just be a verbal warning anyway, or maybe a first stage written warning. Either I think are both appropriate and fair, and also not a big deal if he doesn’t do the same again.

Apologies for the double post!

Original poster

OlafLovesAnna · 19/03/2022 17:06

Thanks so much all. He thinks he's going to write down all his solutions for not making the same mistakes in future.

It's a balancing act with teens isn't it? On one hand as other pp's have said, he's at school he's getting decent grades, he does lots of sport, he doesn't need extra stress and he could start from scratch elsewhere. But, it's a lesson that it's better to learn at 16 than 36 when a lot more hinges on your job.

It does feel rather heavy handed though as he's accepted blame and apologised for his mistakes at this investigatory meeting.

OP posts:

BorisBooster · 19/03/2022 17:52

Just remind the company that he is still a child.

Brett239 · 19/03/2022 17:59

Don't stress .. just consider it a learning opportunity for him. He can take a colleague for support if he wants.

YouCantTourniquetTheTaint · 19/03/2022 18:17

Yes take a colleague for support, don't ring in for him, I've managed 16yo's in retail, please don't be that parent, due to GDPR and company policy I wouldn't be able to talk to you about it anyway.

He needs to explain how he managed to miss a shift, I.e was it scheduled after his last shift and he was not told about it? Did he not look at the schedule? Did he not call in and ask his shifts? Did the duty manager call him when he missed his shift? Text him? If so did your ds call back and offer to go in? What is the process, and how can he ensure it doesn't happen again?

Calling in sick on his next shift, yeah he should have given the 2hr notice, but he called in, so if it was me talking to him, I would just remind him he should call in with 2hrs notice, off the record.

In my experience, it should be an "informal" formal meeting, if that makes sense, basically remind him to check shifts and call in sick properly. They do seem to be going ott, seeing as this is his 1st job.

Regarding his working hours I'd make sure they're following the rules regarding his shift patterns, under 18s in education are given more protections, so their breaks are longer, they have longer in between shifts.

Calandor · 19/03/2022 18:18

It's not heavy handed because the fact is his manager HAS TO follow policy. Or else she/he will be up for disciplinary if found out too.

It'll just be a warning, he can explain and say how he has reorganised. They'll say Ok and then they'll all crack on as usual.

It happens.

Roselilly36 · 19/03/2022 18:29

Very bad advice to get involved and contact your DS employers, please don’t do that. It’s his job, he needs to handle the situation and learn from it regardless of the outcome, it is his responsibility to know when his shifts are and to report any absence according to company policy. I accept he’s young, I have young sons too, but I would never dream of getting involved with their employment.

Beachbreak2411 · 19/03/2022 18:31

As someone who has the deep mis-pleasure of working with children on same age who pull the same stunts.. not turning up to a shift… “illness” (I’m guessing it was a weekend) .. I wish more places had a disciplinary for this lax behaviour. I’m guessing he won’t “forget” a shift again afterwards! It will just be a slap on the wrist and a kick up the arse not to let them down again.

alexdgr8 · 19/03/2022 18:34

on LBC tonight, saturday, they have a legal advice phone-in. 9pm.
it's an employment lawyer. give them a call.
but don't mention company name.
might be better to remove it from title here too.

there is a form where you can email your query in advance.
www.lbc.co.uk/radio/special-shows/legal-hour/

cansu · 19/03/2022 18:50

He really doesn't need to be bothered with this. He can find a casual job elsewhere. Just resign. They probably need him more than he needs them.

Hatinafield · 19/03/2022 19:02

I can’t believe people are saying he should quit or get you to ring up for him tbh!

I think it sounds like he’s handled it really maturely so far, and that’s to his credit. My advice would be he should just turn up to the next one, apologise again and tell them what action he will take in future to avoid making the same mistakes.

Orchidsonthetable · 19/03/2022 19:03

@cansu

He really doesn't need to be bothered with this. He can find a casual job elsewhere. Just resign. They probably need him more than he needs them.

I just don’t understand this sort of response. This is a sixteen year old lad who is in his first job, he didn’t turn up for one shift and then didn’t call in as requested two hours before hand for the second, leaving them short staffed. What sort of lesson is it to tell him to then just quit if they move to disciplarny for it.

I’d not be telling my kid to quit. I’d be telling her to get her shit together.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/03/2022 19:07

He’s still a child in terms of education and role. I’d be asking Maccy D’s what the terms and conditions are for under 18’s before it goes any further.

Then I’d probably tell them to shove it. Treating a kid like that is shit.

NancyNC2022 · 19/03/2022 19:08

It’s a shame they haven’t dealt with this informally in the first instance considering his good record and young age. Feels heavy handed. I think it will be a slapped wrist and reminding him of policy but he should be prepared to explain why it happened, how it won’t happen again and be apologetic. It’s a shame he has to go through this will be a life lesson for him and at 16, good preparation for the workplace.

I did the same at 16 - I had my set hours and hadn’t realised they’d rota’d me in for overtime so didn’t show. CF really, I was new to the world of work and just hadn’t realised they could do that.

Justme10 · 19/03/2022 19:22

I used to work at McDonald's, honestly I wouldn't worry about him being sacked.

Because he didn't phone up 2 hours before the beginning of his shift, it will be classed as him not showing up for 2 shifts, not 1 and then phoning in sick for the other.

He can take a colleague but they will just be there as a witness for him.
He just needs to apologise and explain, he will probably just be given a written warning and that will be it.

spongedog · 19/03/2022 19:27

I am also curious as to how he missed a shift. How are employees given shifts? So eg if he was at school - so mobile turned off - and it was 2 hours notice to cover absence - then I can see why he might have missed it totally.

I also have a 16 year old who has paid work around school. A more informal situation - but they organise their workhours themselves, despite having to deal with split family homes. I do interfere occasionally which obviously you couldnt do with MaccieDs.

Justme10 · 19/03/2022 19:33

@spongedog

They get put up online at least a week in advance, usually a few weeks though. So it's up to the employee to check their shifts and raise any problems.

TraceyLacey · 19/03/2022 19:35

I got a disciplinary when I was young, and it cost me a job many years later when at interview I was asked if I'd ever had one. I would leave before the disciplinary if I was him.

RoyKentsChestHair · 19/03/2022 20:10

@TraceyLacey

I got a disciplinary when I was young, and it cost me a job many years later when at interview I was asked if I'd ever had one. I would leave before the disciplinary if I was him.

Good point, if he’s going to have to declare it in future interviews it might be worth him just leaving and striking it from his record! Although I guess the P45 will be a trail.

Orchidsonthetable · 19/03/2022 20:56

@TraceyLacey

I got a disciplinary when I was young, and it cost me a job many years later when at interview I was asked if I'd ever had one. I would leave before the disciplinary if I was him.

I’m not sure a disciplinary at sixteen for missing a shift and not complying with sickness policy would cost someone a job later. What was your disciplinary for?

Personally with my child my focus is on preparing for adult hood and the workplace, no way I’d say hey just quit, if they pulled this as an adult int rh workplace the results would be the same. People seem to be suggesting as he’s sixteen it should be in some way ok if he just doesn’t front up or comply with sickness policy, it’s not.

Op, if I was you I’d be explaining he has a responsibility. He doesn’t just get to not front up or call In when he chooses. Just like school. And if he behaves like this in any job then he will have to face consequences.

Calandor · 19/03/2022 22:50

@TraceyLacey

I got a disciplinary when I was young, and it cost me a job many years later when at interview I was asked if I'd ever had one. I would leave before the disciplinary if I was him.

You could've just said no

KatesBush1980 · 20/03/2022 01:04

My son is a manager at mcdonalds, he told me that recently they have started to really crack down on all absenses as they can sometimes have 20-30% of their staff on a shift not show up.
McDonald's pay well for the age of some of the staff so why shouldn't they be disciplined for not showing up? I know I would be in my job!

TigerLilyTail · 20/03/2022 03:17

I think quitting or getting your mum to phone in for you is just awful advice. He made a mistake, well 2 mistakes, but as others have said it's a learning experience for him. It sounds like he is handling the whole thing with maturity, so good on him and fingers crossed it goes ok.

LongSummers · 20/03/2022 04:32

This is ridiculous on their part - he’s on a 0 hour contract!! A 16 year old doing their A Levels has much more important priorities. Please tell him to resign with immediate effect and no notice and for him to find another job after his A Levels. As PP said, delete from CV.

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