[LifesUnwritten]

Hey there, here's my story... so this is a work related issue, where I feel I was treated unfairly and given a "write-up" that should not even be given to me.

So, on Thursday I spoke to one of my staff level managers and asked him if my general manager was cutting hours, he texted me back a little while later and said no she's not. Okay, no big deal. So I decided to call out for the next two days because I had an opportunity to go away with some friends and family to a football game in Pittsburgh for the weekend. (Keep in mind, I have NOT called out in over two years, I have my attendance records as proof. Also we have "personal days" not sick days) so the next day, my general manager calls me, and asks, "where am i?" I told her I called out, and I took a personal day, and I was away. She then stated that "this was unacceptable and that we would have a meeting on Monday to discuss the matter." So Monday comes along, and we sit down in the office, and she first writes me up for "Poor work performance" in high damaged and destroys, it was my third week in the department after a holiday in which all D&D numbers are inflated, so disciplinary action includes "I may be suspended or demoted if there's another offense like this within 6 months." (keep in mind I had a clean personal file until this." Then after signing that write-up, i receive , "A Managers standards of ethics violation, "Unauthorized Absence" First of all, I'm not a manager. Im an hourly supervisor. Moving on, then in the write up it states I called out to my manager that I spoke about earlier, (so, what's unauthorized about my absence?) , secondly it says my GM called me, asking if I was okay because she was concerned. Yeah right... (you're not allowed to call hourlys if they call out, I believe that's a privacy breach.) and it stated that I said I wouldn't be in so I could attend a football game. So, me being the dumb honest person I am, said yeah, that's where I was, it was an opportunity with my family, and financially affordable so I took the chance, I have no write-ups until now, nor have I called out in 2 years. I was then demoted, and stripped of my title. Every person I speak to who I've worked for before says its 100% not right, because there are steps you go through before being demoted, and I was just being made an example of. I just want to know is there any legal baring here? And if not, any comparisons or opinions of your own you have would be greatly appreciated. Also, should I push to try and get in touch with a HR person, to get my position back, because this pretty much ruins my career. Thanks again for your time.

[Fr_Chuck]

Let me see, you did not pre arrange a day off, you called in the day you took off. Normally personal days have to be asked for in advance, sick days if sick can .
Be used the same day

But that is up to your company written policy and/or any informal policy that has been developed.

Why did you not, just ask for the day off ahead of time ?

Next what right to privacy, they can call you at home, or anywhere they want and if you are not at work, it is normal and common for many companies to call and check on the employee.

Many of that if they don't believe they are sick and called in sick.

If you said you were sick, and/or were so vague as to give them the impression you were sick, that most likely is part of the issue.

1. did you call into the correct person and get permission for being out ? Not call some recording and say you are out?

2. You can appeal this to HR and ask for a hearing with them and the higher up boss.

Personally while it seem a bit tough, this is about what would happen in 3/4 of the places I worked over the years. In fact if you called in that morning in many they required a doctors note, If not it was considered a unauthorised absent.

[LifesUnwritten]

0. I didn't request the day off, nor fill out a request form for the day, it was a last minute opportunity.

1. Yes, I called into the correct person, and our policy it only has to be an hour before your shift.

2. We only require doctors notes on 3 or more consecutive days of absence.