Is Verbal Warning Enough To Terminate An Employee?
by Chloe Chan
Feb 2, 2023
at 10:32 AM
Verbal warning meaning
A verbal warning is a form of disciplinary action when an employer or supervisor advises an employee of a behaviour or performance concern and the repercussions if it is not remedied. Typically, verbal warnings are issued informally and without documentation as the initial step in addressing a problem before more serious measures are implemented. They are meant to serve as a reminder and a chance for the employee to make necessary improvements. But is verbal warning enough to terminate an employee?
What is the difference between a verbal warning and a written warning
Both verbal and written warnings are forms of disciplinary action used by employers to address employee conduct or performance issues. However, their levels of formality and documentation differ:
Verbal warning: A verbal warning is a less formal discipline often administered in an informal context. It is a warning or a reminder to the employee about a behaviour or performance issue and the repercussions if it is not remedied. Typically, verbal warnings are not documented.
Written warning: Documented and placed in the employee's personnel file, a written warning is a more official type of disciplinary action. It describes the exact behaviour or performance issue and the repercussions if it is not remedied. Typically, written warnings are sent when verbal warnings fail to accomplish the desired outcome.
Written warnings are more serious than verbal ones since they are documented and can be used as evidence in termination procedures if the issue is not rectified.
Misconduct in the workplace that lead to a verbal warning
Tardiness: If an employee is consistently arriving late for work or missing deadlines, a verbal warning can be given to remind them of the importance of punctuality.
Attendance: If an employee is frequently absent or calling in sick, a verbal warning can be given to address the issue and discuss the importance of reliable attendance.
Attitude: If an employee is exhibiting a negative or disruptive attitude, such as being rude to coworkers or customers, a verbal warning can be given to address the issue and emphasize the importance of professional behaviour.
Performance: If an employee's work quality or productivity is below the expected standards, a verbal warning can be given to discuss the problem and set expectations for improvement.
Safety Violations: If an employee is not following safety procedures, a verbal warning can be given to emphasize the importance of following established protocols to ensure the safety of everyone in the workplace.
These are a few examples of situations where a verbal warning is appropriate. The specific reason for the warning would depend on the individual circumstances and company policies.
Verbal warning script examples between employees and employer
Situation 1: Verbal warning for attendance
Supervisor: "John, can we talk for a moment?"
John: "Sure, what's up?"
Supervisor: "I wanted to bring to your attention some concerns we've been having about your attendance lately. You've been calling in sick or running late several times in the past month."
John: "Oh, I apologize. I've had some personal issues to deal with."
Supervisor: "I understand things come up, but we need reliable attendance to meet our deadlines and provide the best customer service. If this continues, it could impact your job performance and even lead to disciplinary action."
John: "I understand. I'll do my best to be on time and attend work regularly."
Supervisor: "That's good to hear. I just wanted to give you a verbal warning, so you're aware of the situation and have the opportunity to make improvements. We may need to take more formal steps if there are further issues."
John: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll be more mindful of my attendance in the future."
In this example, the supervisor is having a direct and respectful conversation with the employee to address the attendance issue. The supervisor gives the employee a verbal warning, explaining the importance of reliable attendance and the potential consequences if the problem is not resolved. The employee is given the opportunity to understand the issue and make improvements.
Situation 2: Verbal warning for bad attitude
Supervisor: "Jane, can we chat for a moment?"
Jane: "Of course. What's going on?"
Supervisor: "I wanted to bring to your attention some concerns about your attitude lately. You've been demeaning your coworkers and customers negatively, impacting the team's morale."
Jane: "I'm sorry, I haven't been feeling very well lately."
Supervisor: "I understand that, but we must maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times. We want to provide the best service to our customers and create a positive work environment for everyone."
Jane: "I see your point. I'll try to be more positive and professional from now on."
Supervisor: "That's good to hear. I just wanted to give you a verbal warning, so you're aware of the situation and have the opportunity to make improvements. We may need to take more formal steps if there are further issues."
Jane: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll make sure to turn things around."
In this example, the supervisor is having a direct and respectful conversation with the employee to address the attitude issue. The supervisor is giving the employee a verbal warning, explaining the importance of a positive and professional demeanour and the potential consequences if the problem is not resolved. The employee is given the opportunity to understand the issue and make improvements.
FAQs
Q: Can an employer fire an employee with a verbal warning?
A: An employer can fire an employee after giving a verbal warning, depending on the specific circumstances and company policies. Generally, a verbal warning is a first step in the disciplinary process, intended to address a problem and allow the employee to improve. Suppose the employee does not improve or continues to violate company policies. In that case, the employer may escalate to more serious disciplinary action, including termination.
Q: When should an employer take disciplinary action against an employee?
A: An employer should take disciplinary action against an employee when the employee violates company policies, such as attendance, performance, safety, or professional conduct. The specific circumstances would determine the type and severity of the disciplinary action. An employer should take disciplinary action when the employee's behaviour or performance negatively affects the company, coworkers, or customers.
Q: What are the other types of disciplinary actions for employees?
A: In addition to verbal warnings, other types of disciplinary actions for employees can include:
Written warnings: A written warning is a formal document that outlines the specific problem, the expectations for improvement, and the consequences if the issue is not resolved.
Suspension: A suspension is a temporary leave of absence from work without pay. This serious disciplinary action is usually used for more serious infractions, such as violations of safety procedures or harassment.
Demotion: A demotion is a reduction in rank or responsibilities, usually due to poor performance or disciplinary issues.
Termination: Termination is the termination of employment. This is the most serious disciplinary action and is usually used as a last resort when other forms of disciplinary action have failed to resolve the problem.
Q: When to give the last verbal warning to an employee?
A: The timing of the last verbal warning would depend on the specific circumstances and company policies. Suppose the employee has received previous verbal warnings and has yet to improve. In that case, a last verbal warning can be given to emphasize the importance of addressing the problem and the potential consequences if the issue is not resolved. This is usually followed by more serious disciplinary action, such as a written warning or suspension if the problem is not resolved.
