Facing a written warning after disciplinary...

[abbli]

Basically I have had a disciplinary meeting due to lateness and attendance and I am waiting the verdict. I believe they will give me a written warning, or I can hand my notice in and leave to avoid this. (This is what has been hinted at previously by HR).

I quite like my job, but I'm wondering whether to stay and have the written warning on record, and won't be able to mess up at all going forwards, or leave and avoid it?

If you like your job, then just turn up and turn up on time and the problem is solved, surely?

Just brush up your act and carry on working there.

Assuming you start being on time, a written warning won’t be that impactful a few years down the line.

How long have you been there? And how often are you late?

I have issues going on with the work as well, not all of it but some of it.
I won't go into too much detail. But I'm wondering whether having a warning on my record will affect future jobs or if I should jump before I'm giving this..

So you struggle with some parts of the role and can’t be on time?

Is this really the job for you?

Sorry you have these issues to deal with OP.

When I have been asked for references one box has always been were there any disciplinary processes in progress at the time of leaving, so jumping ship might not be helpful anyway.

Are the issues anything they should be supporting you with?

Why isn't your concern how to avoid repeating whatever was stopping you being on time/present at work?

Having a 'warning on your record' isn't something which gets solved if you leave. There's not paperwork which follows you, so weather or not it comes up when you apply for a new job depends on what is asked.

Usually a reference asked if capability procedures have ever been instigated which in your case they have, letter or not. An employer doesn't haven't to declare this and may be less likely to do so if you leave, but it's not the case that having the written warning changes things

Unless you are in a regulated role like medical or teaching there really isn't a 'record of employment' at worst it will affect the quality of the reference future employers would receive from this employer but increasingly companies are only providing very bland factual references that say 'xxx was employed between xx and xx in the role of xxx'.

A written warning is not being fired, they usually exist for 12 months and if you stick to the terms they expire.

If you like the job why wouldn't you just find a way to attend on time and within policy?

A written warning will only remain on your file ('live') for a defined period - usually 12 months. So if you stay in your job and improve your attendance and lateness the warning will expire. An expired warning shouldn't be disclosed to any future employers.

I guess your decision comes down to will you be willing or able to improve in your current job?

It sounds like they want you out. I would agree to leave if they agree to give a dates only reference or whatever.

Exactly this.

It's not always as cut and dry as just resigning, in the public sector they can continue disciplinary proceedings in your absence (with or without your cooperation) in order to ensure the matter is properly recorded and on file.

Really! IMO, it would be wise to check with the relevant department and no two HR depts work, like for like even though the law may state they should not everyone is aware of every bit of the rueles/law

Being late/reasons - could the same reasons apply to the next job?

OP, what’s with the poor attendance and lateness. Wouldn’t it happen in a future job as well? I commute into London and the past year and a half has been awful with train strikes (which I support!), and ocasional mess-up on the Tube, so totally understand how it can impact your travel. But I think more than 10-15 minutes should be totally exceptional.

It may affect references if you get a written warning. Do you like this job? Is it a job you want to do?
Because if, as you hint, you actually have other issues with the job maybe this is a good impetus to look for another that is more suited for you!

They are starting the process so they can fire you if your poor performance continues.

If you are constantly late or phoning in sick or are unable to actually do the job you are supposed to be doing, you will be affecting everyone else who works with you.

Obviously we don't know why you can't get in on time or are absent regularly or
If you just need more training but if you don't sort it out why would you behave any differently in the next job?

They should have a policy for how long a warning stays in your file.

ACAS recommends 6 months. 12 months for a final warning.

Leaving doesn't stop them from adding this to your record.

You are better to stay and sort out your performance. Check how long they plan to keep this on your record. Then leave after that.

@abbli I think you may be looking at this the wrong way. An employer employs an employee to do a job. If they are late, or irregular attenders, then they are not doing the job reliably. You allude to other aspects, so this may also be impacting the employer's 'value for money' employing you.

A written warning could well be the first step towards dismissal as they only need to give you one further final written warning. I would be doing my utmost to pull my socks up if I were in your position.

To answer your question, if you leave, most references will state start date, end date, job title and reason for leaving. It is unlikely that any other history will be provided.

I think the process is written warning and then final warning and then dismissal. You’ll need to check your company’s dismissal process for exact details. Anyway you might not get to final warning if you can turn things around and the written warning is wiped off your slate after 2/3 years - again check your company policy.

If you have a written warning on file but subsequently put right the reason/s for the warning and don't do anything else contrary to your contract, then all will be well

However if you have a written warning and continue to work contrary to contract, your employer will use the warning to move you towards dismissal

UNLESS your employer WANTS to get rid of you, then all bets are off

Really! IMO, it would be wise to check with the relevant department and no two HR depts work, like for like even though the law may state they should not everyone is aware of every bit of the rueles/law

It'd be a pretty poor HR department that played fast and loose with the regulations and guidance.

ACAS guidance is that references must be accurate and fair, and that a disciplinary record should not be disclosed unless it is both recent and relevant.

Even if it were recent and relevant, if your current employer would prefer you to leave, it's in their interests not to disclose your warning.

Best to take the warning, OP, and pull your socks up.

They shouldn’t use warnings in a reference, but why can’t you attend as agreed and turn up on time. It must be very bad if they’ve got to this stage.

You need to deal with the underlying issue/s really. Why are you repeatedly late/absent?