what warning can be given?

[redcrx]

will give basic facts.
one employee arrives at work yesterday morn, roads and pathways icy but not bad. He has one of those mobility scooters.
at lunch he announces to his colleague, but not boss, that hes going home. He never comes back after lunch.
today he has called to say hes not coming in but will be in tomorrow (is not phsycic but its payday tomorrow so will arrive regardless of weather)
How should employer deal with this?
Oh and the employee has no trouble getting taxis all over town at any other time, before xmas he didnt turn up for work due to snow but took a taxi and was seen xmas shopping.

[buildersmate]

Keeping a diary for your partner seems a good idea, but based on the evidence you have indicated I believe (as other including Ankou have said) that this action by the employee should be subject to a disciplinary interview. This is a necessary first step, I'm afraid and those that have jumped in and said dole out a verbal warning are wrong - you have to first establish the other side of the the story by talking to the employee. Then, assuming he has no good reason for his action, you can decide whether to issue a verbal warning. It is good practice to confirm a verbal warning in writing afterwards, by the way - yes, I know that sounds stupid - but it avoids the employee saying alter 'you never told me that'.

[redcrx]

Thank you both.
when ive given verbal warnings in the past elsewhere, i have always printed out a "receipt" and got the employee to sign to confirm they received the warning, as you say so many claim never to have received them.

I shall pass this all on to Mr CRX and hope he takes it all on board.

thank you

[factor-fiction]

I don't get the bit about it being pay day. Is he paid cash?
If he is disabled you need to make allowances so if you gop down the disciplinary route tread carefully

[redcrx]

what allowances as such. If he can make it into work tomorrow(and he has assured them he will do) how is less able to do it today? How does any less able bodied person ever get disciplined?
He is paid in cash, they all are, they refuse to go to monthly cheques. (when i say cash i mean notes and coins, not avoiding tax and NI.

[factor-fiction]

buildersmate is more qualified than me but I know you have to make some adjustments and that may mean allowing them to leave early in certain circumstances, but it doesn't mean you can never discipline them.
As far as paying cash is concerned I assume the employer is happy you do this, but I would pay by bank transfer if it suits the business. Maybe by giving way on things like cash pay the employer gives teh impression of being a 'soft touch'.

[redcrx]

he is a soft touch, factor lol which is why i thinks its best that he starts to take action against such things.
They dont want bank transfers either for some reason, which would save a trip to bank for cash every week.

Mr CRX is going to have a discussion with him tomorrow and go from there. When the guy called today to say he wasnt coming in he didnt even ask for Mr CRX, just left a message with colleague.

[Twenty20]

How long has he worked there? Is it less than 12 months? If so, you can dismiss without reason so long as it's not seen as discriminatory.

Other than that, take buildersmate's advice.

[redcrx]

hes been there a good few years.

thanks factor, will go with BMs advice

[ORANGEANDPROUD]

You say there is no staff handbook, how do the staff know what the policy is regarding absences? What are the employees' terms and conditions? If employees are not made aware of what is expected of them, how can they know under what circumstances the employer will take action against them?

[dothawkes31]

that few employees and you do not need to follow any employment rules. But, if he has a mobility scooter he maybe was worried the battery would fail in the cold weather. Don't get involved, leave the gut alone.

[albaqwerty]

I used to work for a small company who paid wages weekly and in cash, then we were "told" that we were we being paid 4-weekly but subs would be available for up to 6 months. Subs getting smaller and smaller each time to give the employee a chance to get a bank account or other sorted out for BGC or equivalent to happen.
"told" nicely btw

[redcrx]

dot i shall be interested to see how he gets in today. its even colder today and we have an inch more snow :)