written warnings at work - small vent

Yesterday I got a written warning at work that I felt was a load of bull. It was based on an incident that had been blown out of proportion. Even my boss admitted that, and then it comments on my 'professional appearance' without going into detail and when I asked my boss what was wrong with my professional appearance, my boss told me my nails were dirty. The entire thing just made me upset and now angry because I feel it is not justified. Now I dont' know how to act like 'nothing happened' on Monday. I could see it must've bothered her to do this too, because as I was crying in her office, her eyes welled up too.

Has something like this ever happened to you? How did you deal?

(edited for some grammar)

Message edited 7/7/2007 8:31:55 AM.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

OMG what a load of Bull

I didn't have a written warning but I did get pulled into HR with my boss. It was over something so childish. I was so angry at him. After a few days of anger and my personal feelings towards him aside, I was able to talk to him and did get to the bottom of it. What happened was someone did not like the friendship he and I had. They went to their boss to complain and their boss told them to relax. Well this person did not want to relax and felt that our friendship was not proper and that if their boss was not going to do something, they would.

When my feelings and anger calmed he told me how it was uncomfortable for him to have the conversation with me, because he and I are such good friends that it was just a load of BS and someone being mad at him so to get back at him they go after his friends.

My office has more drama then a soap opera

Your boss may have been obligated to do the written warning. If she even said it was blown out of proportion then someone above her is making her do this. Or like in my case someone went to HR and HR is making her do this. Their were times I had to have certain talks with staff that I didnt want to have and wished I didnt, but my boss told me as a supervisor I have to. It pained me to have them, but it was something that just comes along with the job. I digress

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

I am still over the nails dirty comment. That is just the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I could understand coming to work in stained PJ's but nails dirty that is just utter nit picking and looking for an excuse. Ridiculous

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Are you a health care worker in direct contact with patients or with people who are in direct contact with patients?

I can remember lots of employee fingernail issues when I worked at a hospital.

sorry you're going through a rough time!

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by lilacwine

Are you a health care worker in direct contact with patients or with people who are in direct contact with patients?

I can remember lots of employee fingernail issues when I worked at a hospital.

sorry you're going through a rough time!

Message edited 7/7/2007 10:01:02 AM.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

wow, I don't even know what to say that is crazy.

but I have to ask... do you disagree with what you written up for?

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by HarleyGirlFLA

I am still over the nails dirty comment. That is just the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I could understand coming to work in stained PJ's but nails dirty that is just utter nit picking and looking for an excuse. Ridiculous

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

wow, I don't even know what to say that is crazy.

but I have to ask... do you disagree with what you written up for?

Message edited 7/7/2007 10:07:25 AM.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Sorry you are going through this But who the heck was looking at your finger nails???

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by RandJ0806

Posted by SweetestOfPeas

wow, I don't even know what to say that is crazy.

but I have to ask... do you disagree with what you written up for?

yes, i do disagree and have drafted a response to the entire report. The entire thing was blown out of proportion due to a very minor miscommunication with an outside agent I work with had the agent gone to my department rather than HR to talk about it. (Even my boss admits this.)

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

I had this same issue at work! My boss pulled me into her office and told me that one of the admin coordinators (who didn't like me from day 1 even though I wasn't in her group) had been complaining about my 'professional appearance'. I have straight hair and she was complaining that I didn't "do more" with it (which I felt had nothing to do with my appearance as long as it was clean and brushed) as well as my clothes.
It ended up making its way onto my review out of "company policy" (though company policy was actually a verbal warning, then a written warning) so I wrote a rebuttal and asked that it be attached with my review. They're both still in my file I'm sure, even though I quit the job last year.
Though it's quite uncomfortable in the beginning, I will say that like everything else in life, this too shall pass. In a few weeks you'll forget about it and so will your boss. It sounds like she's on your side anyway, which is great! If your boss knows the type of person that you are, and is fine with you, that should be the end of it- especially in an office job. We've all seen our share or inappropriately dressed people at work (whether it be too revealing, or too tight, too professional or too casual...) but to each their own as long as they're within limit. I'm sorry you're going thru this- I remember how upset I was!

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

That is my biggest pet peeve about corporate. If someone has an issue instead of going to you directly or the department they go right to HR. They dont realize or maybe they do that so much has to happen and be documented. If they would just go right to the individual or the department everything would be squared away and no need to drag HR into it unless it truely needs to be. One little thing which is completely harmless someone else will easily be offended and instead of going to you they go right to HR. UH.

Sorry you have to go through this

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

I'm so sorry you have to go through something so ridiculous

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Holy Crap. Yesterday I went to work in Jeans that were too short, pink, green and maroon Nike's, argyle socks and a flourescent green shirt. I felt like crap and wanted everyone to know. Now that deserves a written warning. AND my nails are bitten to buggery.

That sucks big time.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

We have someone in our office in her 50s dressing like she's 18. She likes her appearance. While no one has complained to me about it, she is being held back professionally because we'd never send her out to a client.

I've never received any warnings but had to give plenty of them (I work in HR).

I would go into work dressed professionally w. my nails clean. I would ask my boss honestly & sincerity if my appearance was ok or if she had any suggestions on how to improve.

Rather than take offense (and I can easily see how you could be offended), use the opportunity to learn how to deal with conflict.

Move forward. Do your work & do it well. Dress for the job. Handle the complaint with dignity.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by nrthshgrl

We have someone in our office in her 50s dressing like she's 18. She likes her appearance. While no one has complained to me about it, she is being held back professionally because we'd never send her out to a client.

I've never received any warnings but had to give plenty of them (I work in HR).

I would go into work dressed professionally w. my nails clean. I would ask my boss honestly & sincerity if my appearance was ok or if she had any suggestions on how to improve.

Rather than take offense (and I can easily see how you could be offended), use the opportunity to learn how to deal with conflict.

Move forward. Do your work & do it well. Dress for the job. Handle the complaint with dignity.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

that is absolutely ridiculous, i know for a fact that your nails are not dirty.

:)

I'm so sorry!

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

I got written up one time at work because my grandfather was rushed to the hospital, and while visiting him there my brother had a seizure, so I left work. Well my DM didnt think it was right for me to leave "since it wasnt my husband". Well I told her where to stick her write up and gave my notice. She told me I would have needed a note from the hospital next time (because I guess people would lie about such a thing) So I said "if he dies next time, would the note from the coroner work"
She was the worst DM in the world. No heart.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

dirty nails? how did they even come up with that garbage?

seems like they're playing you as a scapegoat... they need to address REAL problems and not that bunch of bull$hit.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Thanks all.

I feel like I'm living in the Devil Wears Prada, where Andy isn't doing a good job when she's dressed normally. Then finally she gives in and gets decked in high fashion stuff and now she's doing wonderfully.

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

Posted by sami

Sorry you are going through this But who the heck was looking at your finger nails???

Re: written warnings at work - small vent

I dont understand what you mean my "dirty fingernails". Do you have dirt under your nails, or is it just that you dont have a perfect manicure, and perhaps you have chipped nailpolish?

Re: written warnings at work - UPDATE AT BOTTOM

I ended up including all of the complimentary emails my boss has sent me attached to my rebuttal. When I handed it in, I told her that I was confused to see that she was disappointed in my overall performance b/c all she's done is sent complimentary emails. She said that I've been doing a great job and that HR wrote that part....I still don't get it and think it's a load of BS but I feel a little better knowing that she doesn't truly feel like I'm doing a bad job.