Safety is #1 where I work. It's good for employee and company. Accidents are preventable. I won't speak on the letter much but if I were to disregard a posted safety precaution, I would expect serious consequences.
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Your company is just trying to cover it's own ass - which I don't blame them in this day and age of sueing everyone for everything.
Think about it - you walk outside to your car, after hours.....and trip/fall over the guardrail. Whether YOU personally would or would not sue - SOMEONE there would, looking for a quick buck.
The employee and their lawyer wouldn't give two craps whether it was after their shift or not..........and would sue, and most likely win.
You got a warning...........so what. Live with it and learn from it - walk around the guard rail next time. Be glad it's only a warning and not something worse. I don't know what the next step is at your place of employment - written write up or whatever.......but you got a warning, and weren't singled out...............take it as a lesson and move on.
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Originally Posted by BigV
Just posting a sign or sticker does not make a work rule enforceable.
Employees must be notified in writing of any rule change along with the consequences of violations.
In addition, a warning letter seems a bit much for a first offence violation.
Two posts with two different points of view, and both very illustrative of the world we now live in. Let's face it, lawyers have every business in the country, not to mention a lot of everyday folk, running scared.
BigV, you think a warning letter seems a bit much for a first offense? This is called getting everything in writing so that, in the future, no one has to depend on anyone's recollection, or maybe mis-recollection. They can't claim to have warned you twice if there is only one warning letter in the file. It's as much for the employee's protection as the employer. As far as notifying employees of rule changes, how many employees actually read those things anyway? Most go straight in the waste can!
Hey, it's their property and it's their guardrail. If they put a sticker on it saying don't step over the guardrail then don't step over the guardrail! Their turf, their rules!
And if you don't think people and lawyers are sue-happy, why are their stickers on baby strollers advising "Remove child before folding stroller"?
I feel like my competence and judgement is being questioned, I feel like we are being stripped of our rights,our dignity and respect. I can understand posting warnings to bring awareness that stepping over a guard rail is a possible risk to older employees and under curtain circumstances,thus if I chose to step over the guard rail I assume all responsibility and do not hold the company liable if I'am injured. But to take it upon themselves and take the right away from us to make that choice and decision and to make this an actual violation is just ludicris! its the type of thing you would expect in grade school not at the workplace where we are all adults.This kind of micro managing and control I believe is all to common and I plan on pursuing it simply based on principle and the right to express myself. Kind of curious on what others think.
Kinda like speed limits and seat belts? Take the hit and move on.... like said before, their turf, their rules.
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You are right, loyalty goes both ways. So your loyalty is to -- the temp service? You have some employees who are not good so all are bad right. America is getting lazy, you're taliking about management that took huge wages and bonues and lead their companies into bankrupsy, right? A generalization like yours, right?
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Originally Posted by imalt
Loyalty works both ways. I am sick and tired of hearing how employees are so mistreated. Employers have to cover themselves for every little thing now because every ambulance chasing lawyer is looking for a reason to sue. I fully agree they should not have to put a warning sticker on a guard rail but the fact that they do pretty much says it all about todays society. I have had to fight so many bogus workers comp claims it is ridiculous. I started going thru a temp service now. If a person doesn't work out I call the temp service and they replace them. I don't have to worry about paying someone unemployment because they were incapable of doing their job. Wake up people america is getting lazier every day.
It doesn't matter if you are OFF the clock if you are still ON the property. Just live by their rules...even if they are kind of dumb.
Got to admit that is true. Seems simple enough and Some people what to make a drama out of every thing. My house my rules. What is so hard to understand. You have no rights on peoples property to break their rules. Get a life and live it. And cut the drama queen thing. LOL ROFL
bula,quit ur crying and walk around the guard rail you could probably use a little exercise by walking a little farther! not to mention ur getting old and will eventually pull a hammy.if it was quicker to get to ur locker would u climb through a window also?just funnin,i work up the road from u and its even worst,they a acually took the cans out of the pop machines because theres a potential for an employee to cut themselves,so be luxky ur place of employment is not to that point yet.dont forget to put thimbles on ur finger tips while baiting ur hooks! later derby
I will never understand the constant claim of "workers rights." If you went to a company, business, factory, etc. and asked THEM for a job, are you not at the mercy of THEIR rules and regulations? What is getting a "warning" taken off of your record do for you? Increase your pay or vacation time? Workers Comp is a serious profit killer for companies, so they must enact and enforce multitudes of safety procedures and policies. If you do not want to follow a policy that your employer has placed upon you, there is no recourse in pursuing alternate employment.
After reading all of the details of your situation, the most amicable and protective action you can take is to request that you be able to submit a letter to respond to the warning and attach it to the warning in your file. In that response, say the things you've said here, such as: 21 years with a pristine record, you did not know it was a violation, have no recollection of this being presented by the company, desire to do a good job, be a good employee, and work for a good company.
By doing this, you will be more respected than if you "fight back". What you will be doing is saying "I recognize the issue and now that I know the policy, will proceed to continue to be a valued employee." Ask the HR representative to sign and date your copy of the letter so that you know it is placed in the file.
In my opinion, I don't think the company intended to rattle your cage. I think they were just a bit shortsighted on how to go about making this an enforceable rule. Sometimes pointing out that the king is wrong will only get you thrown in the dungeon.
There's more to that story, that's illegal. Also, nearly all states are right to work states any more.
Ohio is still an Employee at will state. You can be let go at anytime and no reason has to be given.
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Well after working 3rd shift all last week this morning I finally had the opportunity to speak with the manager of my department. He told me two weeks ago the superintendant of the plant was walking though the parking lot and observed an employee stepping over the guard rail,he informed the employee that he was not to supposed to be doing this, eventually the employee did not know who he was(probably a recently hired individual) and gave him additude ,this angered him so he went to security and told them anyone seen stepping over a guard rail is to be written a violation.Some of us were warned and some of us were not. Next step is a meeting with him after he returns from vacation.Can't wait to see if he side steps the facts or if he is able to see it from my perspective.
BINGO! There's the answer you're looking for. You cannot apply rule descriminently, even if Ohio is an "at will" state.
Now if everyone that was written up were of the same class (I.e. older, higer on pay scale, not in a specific group with the ones that got warned, etc.) you got a serious complaint!
A
I don't always fish for Bass, but when I do, I prefer big'uns. Fish hard my friends....
Work related issue... worth pursuing??
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