I recently came across an organisation in the so called "caring professions" which had unauthorised absence categorised as Gross Misconduct. The Care Home concerned suspended a member of staff for gross misconduct for taking a day off between Christmas and New Year to enable her to visit her Mother living in a care home some 400 miles away, inspite of the member of staff advising the organisation in writing before the event that she would need to take the day off and of her intended date of return to work.
I was amazed when I eventually saw a copy of the employee handbook that unauthorised absence of whatever duration was categorised as gross misconduct along with physical and mental abuse of the residents, dealing in or attending work under the influence of drugs and alcohol, theft etc. I also discovered that there was a policy entitling employees to time off to deal with dependent relatives - which led to the organisation eventually backing off and deciding there was no case to answer - but only after three days suspension and a formal disciplinary hearing. I would be fascinated to hear if any one else is aware of an organisation which seeks to discipline its employees for gross misconduct for one day's absence. What message does such a policy send to its employees?
Good to know. Thank you
Posted by: Phoenix Auto glass repair | April 18, 2009 at 06:52 AM