Written Up at Work? Sign on The Line

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I want to start by saying that I work for a local bank. I was wrote up today. Reason: For giving out personal information/privacy policy. The personal information that I gave out was to my husband and here is my story. I was working at my desk when another coworker came up to me and told me to go to this public sheriffs website and see who had been arrested that day. When I went to the site to see what she was talking about I found out that it was an old coworker who I considered a friend. I was embarrassed for her and did not say anything to anyone about it. However, when I was looking at her picture on this site I noticed that under her picture was someone else that me and my husband both knew. I called to tell him about this person. Just so happened while he was looking at his old friend one of his coworkers knew my old coworker that had been arrested. Long story short she was mad because someone seen her picture on the website and assumed that I was running my mouth at work. Which I was not. I just don't see how I can be wrote up on someone assuming and also the information that I was being wrote up for came from a public website that anyone can view. I asked my boss and he said because I found out while I was at work. I am not smart when it comes to law but I just feel like this is wrong. Any opinons? I guess that is what I get for telling my husband about his old friend.

upset worker of AR 8:54PM June 20, 2012

This is horrible advice, but not surpising coming from an HR person whos job is to protect the company from unemployment claims that increase the costs to the company. Suzanne is correct in that refusal to sign will not prevent or stop your employment from being terminated, and that if it is a real problem that it still needs to be fixed. The problem here however is protecting your rights to collect unemployment. When you aknowlege or sign a write up and are subsequently terminated you probably will want to be able to file for unemployment. When you attempt to file, the company may challenge your filing on the basis that you were terminated for cause. If you sign your write-ups, they can, and will often be used against you when the company presents their argument. If you write your own version of events in regards to the disciplinary action and explain why the information as presented by your boss is incorrect and/or your boss is writing you up for things outside the scop of the position, or things that could not have been prevented no matter how hard you tried, unemployment is far more likely to side with the employee when the unemployment is challenged. Signing these forms is most company's ways of preventing you from getting unemployment when they want to get rid of you. I recommend beginning your comment on the form with the following statement "I do not concur with the events described above because..." and finish your comments with your signature but avoid signing on the line specifically listed on the form for doing so.

MC of MN 5:04PM June 15, 2012

My boss is lying claiming that I have "REFUSED TO GO ON BREAK". Never happened. I am unable to take breaks because I run a reel to reel projector at a movie theater. It is impossible to take the 30 minute lunch period because it will cause the movie to end abruptly when the 17 minute long reel comes to an end. NOBODY else knows how to operate the equipment so nobody can relieve me for a break. So if she writes me up I'm supposed to sign it? Really?

Grant of MO 9:05AM June 13, 2012

I worked for a defense contractor. When i was written up, i was naive enough to trust management's version of the event and signed the document even though it jusg said that I was acknowledging the memo. I understand that that memo was probably sent to the government when i signed it. I was told after signing the letter that management was going to send something to the government (not necessarily the letter). As I mentioned, i did sign the letter. Im guessing the letter was sent as evidence. Wouldnt i had been better off not signing the letter in the first place?

Sam of IN 3:36AM May 21, 2012

Thank you for posting this. I was written up today for something that was totally not my fault. I have been on my job for eight years and have never been written up. I did not know how to handle the situation because I was still in shock over the faulse accusation and I was also hurt at the fact my boss did not back me. I did not sign the write up because I thought it meant I was agreeing to what was written on the write up. How should I handle the situation from this point?

Cindy Cindy of GA 11:08PM May 18, 2012

I work at a nursing home and when give write ups they are 2 to 3 months old? Is there a time limit in which they have to give the write up out?

sharon of PA 4:05PM May 08, 2012

"Bosses are sometimes irrational. Bosses are also sometimes completely rational, but you can’t see it because you aren’t in their position. The reality is that regardless of whether you agree or disagree, you need to fix the problem."
Brilliant Statement. The author originally admits that bosses are sometimes irrational. Then in the concluding line how is that a problem for the employee to fix? The problem in that case is the boss, who is irrational and making an erroneous write-up.

Alex of CA 10:04PM April 18, 2012

If you are eventually fired and try to collect unemployment, UIA (Unemployment Insurance Agency) officials use these written warnings as evidence of established behavior.You will most likely be denied benefits. Despite what you think most employers and UIA judges look at your signature as an admission of guilt. If you think otherwise, your kidding yourself. Do not sign. If your employer says this is insubordination. It's time to look for another job as they are in process of trying to get rid of you.
MBA/ University of Michigan Major: Human Resource management.

Travis of MI 7:37PM April 16, 2012

I was writtin up for speaking my thoughts on a store I work at and I was in street clothes not in uniform and off the clock. So while off the clock im considered a costumer and I ended up spending about fifteen bucks in the store while I spoke my mind the the attendent that was working. I came in on my next day to work and was sent home with a write up and them wanting me to write a letter of how I will improve my attitude before I could return to work. Can they do this?

David of OH 7:22PM April 02, 2012