Hi, We are a convenience store, operating 24/7. Can we treat SLEEPING while on duty if caught as a ground for DISMISSAL?
From Philippines, Mandaue
1From Philippines, Mandaue
Hello Judy,
Further to what M.Sayeed has mentioned, you might also need to keep in mind whether the concerned employee has slept on duty for the first time or is it a habit?
Dismissal is usually considered as an option if such behavior is repetitive--despite being issued Warnings--both orally & thru Letters.
From the HR perspective, it would also be good if you check the reasons for his act--especially to rule-out if any work-related reasons exist.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Further to what M.Sayeed has mentioned, you might also need to keep in mind whether the concerned employee has slept on duty for the first time or is it a habit?
Dismissal is usually considered as an option if such behavior is repetitive--despite being issued Warnings--both orally & thru Letters.
From the HR perspective, it would also be good if you check the reasons for his act--especially to rule-out if any work-related reasons exist.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Hi Judy,
In addition to what has been suggested earlier, speak to the employee and if repetitive, warn the employee. Last resort dismiss him as it will send a strong message to other employees.
Replacing and training new recruits should also be considered if such incidents are frequent. You could think in terms of a short coffee/tea break of 10-15 minutes particularly during the night shift.
Lakshmi.
From Singapore, Singapore
In addition to what has been suggested earlier, speak to the employee and if repetitive, warn the employee. Last resort dismiss him as it will send a strong message to other employees.
Replacing and training new recruits should also be considered if such incidents are frequent. You could think in terms of a short coffee/tea break of 10-15 minutes particularly during the night shift.
Lakshmi.
From Singapore, Singapore
Dear Judy,
Others have given you some sound suggestions. Hence, as my wont, I will ask a few questions to get the situation clarified. Is this the first time that the wrker has slept? If so, have you or the manager tried to find out the reason? It is possible that due to lack of work and boredom, one might have dozed off? For example, I know a friend who dozes off even while listening and saying the prayer loud. If I start reading something, I tend to doze off. That was a huge problem at work, while reading reports. I knew of managers who used to doze off in their rooms.
As you have not given enough information, we all have to ASS-U-ME things and then make suggestions.
From United Kingdom
Others have given you some sound suggestions. Hence, as my wont, I will ask a few questions to get the situation clarified. Is this the first time that the wrker has slept? If so, have you or the manager tried to find out the reason? It is possible that due to lack of work and boredom, one might have dozed off? For example, I know a friend who dozes off even while listening and saying the prayer loud. If I start reading something, I tend to doze off. That was a huge problem at work, while reading reports. I knew of managers who used to doze off in their rooms.
As you have not given enough information, we all have to ASS-U-ME things and then make suggestions.
From United Kingdom
Hi Judy,
Several good suggestions have been already posted by the members. Let me try some new ones.
The point you have raised is it hypothetical OR an incident that happened ( or happens frequently).
Since it is a 24 X 7 stores operation, did any customer raise this point ?
Or was it found by internal supervisor ?
If it is internal, you have time to think and act to get the Corrective Action in place.
If it is following a Customer Complaint, it is time to act immediately to restore the confidence level of customer.
Again it is not mentioned whether the person sleeps in the day (more serious) or
night (natural as one works against nature;
if there is very less work load - but not desirable).
All said and done a Night Shift has been a challenge and continues to be one in various Service Sectors and also in Manufacturing.
In some services even sleeping is allowed provided the customer is not affected. The person should wake up immediately to provide the service.
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
Several good suggestions have been already posted by the members. Let me try some new ones.
The point you have raised is it hypothetical OR an incident that happened ( or happens frequently).
Since it is a 24 X 7 stores operation, did any customer raise this point ?
Or was it found by internal supervisor ?
If it is internal, you have time to think and act to get the Corrective Action in place.
If it is following a Customer Complaint, it is time to act immediately to restore the confidence level of customer.
Again it is not mentioned whether the person sleeps in the day (more serious) or
night (natural as one works against nature;
if there is very less work load - but not desirable).
All said and done a Night Shift has been a challenge and continues to be one in various Service Sectors and also in Manufacturing.
In some services even sleeping is allowed provided the customer is not affected. The person should wake up immediately to provide the service.
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
Very true Sir. Some people sleep off at the drop of a hat. Rudy has not mentioned if it is FORTY WINKS or the Night Shift duty Or due to long working hours. I have added my views to cover other possibilities
V.Raghunathan............................Navi Mumbai
From India
V.Raghunathan............................Navi Mumbai
From India
Hello Judy,
Could you pl update on the steps taken--following the various suggestions to your Posting?
That's what keeps this Forum going--if I may say so--learning thru sharing.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Could you pl update on the steps taken--following the various suggestions to your Posting?
That's what keeps this Forum going--if I may say so--learning thru sharing.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
I guess you are an employee and talking about you and your concern.
Operating 24*7 does not mean you have no break or shift system there in your store and you have to work for 24*7 without any condition. You are a human I believe and have fundamental rights to take break during work moreover, it is obvious that youd fell sleep if you will work 24*7 which is a natural requirement and that we all knows well.
What about your working hours norms according to your National/Regional Labour Laws?
Apart from all the suggestion provided by member and seniors, I would like to say that you must speak to your Boss/Supervisor/HR Personnel in this regard.
From India, Gurgaon
Operating 24*7 does not mean you have no break or shift system there in your store and you have to work for 24*7 without any condition. You are a human I believe and have fundamental rights to take break during work moreover, it is obvious that youd fell sleep if you will work 24*7 which is a natural requirement and that we all knows well.
What about your working hours norms according to your National/Regional Labour Laws?
Apart from all the suggestion provided by member and seniors, I would like to say that you must speak to your Boss/Supervisor/HR Personnel in this regard.
From India, Gurgaon
Hello Mr. Anil Kumar Arora,
May I present some different views.
In my opinion 24*7 refers to the working of Store only and does not indicate the employee working time.
Work and rest are part of any International system like Railways, Manufacturing sector, IT services and so on.
It is amusing that having set the ball rolling and setting up an interesting thread, Rudy has chosen to remain silent after that.
So it is time for Rudy to acknowledge the mails and present more details.
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
May I present some different views.
In my opinion 24*7 refers to the working of Store only and does not indicate the employee working time.
Work and rest are part of any International system like Railways, Manufacturing sector, IT services and so on.
It is amusing that having set the ball rolling and setting up an interesting thread, Rudy has chosen to remain silent after that.
So it is time for Rudy to acknowledge the mails and present more details.
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
Hello Shri AniL Kumar Arora,
Thanks for your feedback and my answers to your questions are as under.
In the first place I believe that there is a misunderstanding in interpreting my views.
People in which ever place they work are entitled for rest after work and that is what I have mentioned in my mails.
24*7 working on all days is unlawful and unjust - be it stores or any other sector.
Working hours has been extensively discussed in Cite HR and are available in Archives.
The point raised by Rudy is about sleeping during working hours and whether it can be a reason for dismissal.
Regards,
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
Thanks for your feedback and my answers to your questions are as under.
In the first place I believe that there is a misunderstanding in interpreting my views.
People in which ever place they work are entitled for rest after work and that is what I have mentioned in my mails.
24*7 working on all days is unlawful and unjust - be it stores or any other sector.
Working hours has been extensively discussed in Cite HR and are available in Archives.
The point raised by Rudy is about sleeping during working hours and whether it can be a reason for dismissal.
Regards,
V.Raghunathan .Navi Mumbai
From India
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