Employee Written Warning

What is an employee written warning?

An Employee Written Warning is used when an employer needs to reprimand or warn an employee for a workplace infraction. Often, an Employee Written Warning is sent after an employer (or someone within the employer's company in a position of authority, such as an HR Manager or Supervisor) has noticed that an employee has been engaging in behaviour that is unacceptable or prohibited, such as:

• frequent absenteeism (being late);
• absence of work without notice;
• breach of the company's policy;
• and more.

Is it mandatory to have an employee written warning?

Yes. Having a written warning is typically required before the employer can reprimand by way of suspension or terminate the employee.

A documented warning is good practice to assist with or prevent any future wrongful termination lawsuits.

The point is to show that the employer has provided warnings before termination.

What must an employee written warning contain?

The letter must include:

• identifying information of the employer and the employee;
• details of the infraction;
• the date of the infraction; and
• the consequences for the infraction.

The document also has space for the employee to sign an acknowledgment that the letter was received.

What are the prerequisites of an employee written warning?

An Employee Written Warning is usually not the first step when an employee engages in problematic behaviour.

An employer is required to provide an employee with feedback about his or her work, especially if there is something that needs to be improved.

Progressive discipline is a term that refers to the ongoing warnings that an employer may issue to an employee about their job performance. For instance, it may start with a verbal warning, followed by a series of written warning if the issue continues.

An Employee Written Warning is used to keep an official record of the employee's problematic behaviour. If the employee continues with their non-compliance, an Employee Written Warning may be the first step in the eventual termination of their employment.

What has to be done after an employee written warning is ready?

Once the document has been filled out, it must be signed by the employer and delivered to the employee. The employer should keep a copy of the warning in the employee's file.

The employer will need to monitor the situation to determine if the employee is complying with the written warning. If the employee doesn't comply, additional measures may need to be taken, inculding suspension and possible termination of employment.

Which laws are applicable to an employee written warning?

There are no laws outlining what must be put into an Employee Written Warning. There are, however, some overall accepted practices for creating such documents, including making sure the information is robust enough so that the employee knows what they did wrong and how to correct it. Furthermore, each province and territory has laws and regulations dictating what may be done in the employment context. For example, to terminate an employee for cause, there must be records of progressive discipline. The pieces of legislation governing employment law are as follows:

• Ontario: Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41
• Alberta: Employment Standards Code, RSA 2000, c E-9
• British Columbia: Employment Standards Act, RSBC 1996, c 113
• Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Employment Act, SS 2013, c S-15.1
• Manitoba: The Employment Standards Code, CCSM c E110
• Quebec: Act respecting labour standards, CQLR c N-1.1
• New Brunswick: Employment Standards Act, SNB 1982, c E-7.2
• Nova Scotia: Labour Standards Code, RSNS 1989, c 246
• Prince Edward Island: Employment Standards Act, RSPEI 1988, c E-6.2
• Northwest Territories: Employment Standards Act, SNWT 2007, c 13
• Nunavut: Labour Standards Act, RSNWT (Nu) 1988, c L-1
• Yukon: Employment Standards Act, RSY 2002, c 72
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Labour Standards Act, RSNL 1990, c L-2
• Canada: Canada Labour Code, RSC 1985, c L-2

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