Employee Warning

What is an Employee Warning?

An Employee Warning is a formal notice provided by an employer to an employee whose performance or behaviour is found to be unsatisfactory or in violation of company policies.

Employee warnings can take various forms such as verbal warnings, written warnings, and final warnings, depending on the severity and frequency of the misconduct or performance issue.

These warnings typically detail the specific issues, outline the expected improvements, and specify any potential consequences if the situation does not improve.

What are the benefits of creating an Employee Warning?

1. Communication: Employee warnings serve as a clear form of communication between management and employees. They notify an employee of an issue that needs correction and communicate the expectations for improvement, helping the employee understand exactly where they need to improve.
2. Documentation: Employee warnings provide a record of performance or behavioural issues and the actions taken by the employer to address them. This can be crucial if an employee's employment is terminated due to ongoing issues, as it provides a paper trail that can demonstrate the employer's attempts to rectify the situation before resorting to termination.
3. Performance Improvement: By clearly defining areas that need improvement, employee warnings can serve as a tool for enhancing employee performance. Employees may not always be aware of their shortcomings, and a warning can highlight these areas, helping to improve overall productivity.
4. Legal Protection: If an employee decides to take legal action after being terminated, a history of documented warnings can serve as a defence for the employer, showing that the termination was not without cause.
5. Consistency and Fairness: Warnings ensure that issues are addressed in a consistent manner across the workforce. This can contribute to a perception of fairness among employees, reinforcing that everyone is held to the same standards