I had a slight operation which kept me off work three days. When I went back I was given a final written warning, although I had never had either a verbal or written warning before. Where do I stand?
Under statutory disciplinary procedures your employers should have given you a written explanation of the reasons they were considering disciplinary action against you. You should have been given an opportunity to discuss the problem and offered the right to appeal. It would appear your employers have missed out a few steps of the ladder. If they were to dismiss you on the back of the warning they could be penalised at an employment tribunal for ignoring these rules. On your part, you should use the firm’s grievance procedure to state your case and ask for the warning to be withdrawn.