McDonalds Disciplinary

[OlafLovesAnna]

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.

It’ll likely be a formal warning. McDonalds company procedures is normally - formal, written and then final warning. They’d have to class it as gross misconduct or misbehaviour (which it’s not). As it’s unreliable it’s more than likely going to just be a straight to final warning but if I was your son I’d be asking for it to all be done by the book - individual warnings written up etc as they leave the system after 6 months of PT employment.

I would also ask another employee to attend the meeting with him, somebody that either has some bollox or a friend to make sure that he has support if he is nervous. Be honest in the meeting there’s no point in worrying or lying - it is what it is and if he’s good at his job they won’t want to get rid of him for it anyway.

I manage similar roles and colleagues under 18 can bring a parent.

AWOL can be GM however unlikely to be dismissal but possibly FWW
1 absence is negligible and managed in the attendance policy so just a RTW

However they may do it as a probation review and could possibly be terminated if he is deemed unreliable or lacking commitment