Written Warning

[carleybenson]

I have worked for my current employer for over 20 years and have worked my way up the ladder to a senior management position. I have never had any black marks on my record, no sickness etc etc. A few weeks ago a letter was placed on my desk which I mistakenly opened which was meant for another manager within the office. The letter was of a personal nature disclosing an affair between this manager and another employee. I discussed this letter with another member of staff asking if they recognised the hand writing to confirm my suspicions of who was engaging in this work place affair. I have now been giving a written warning by my employer on the grounds of breaching confidentiality. This also means that I will not qualify for my annual bonus next year as I have a written warning on my file. Any advice as I feel I am being unfairly treated?

[ULA]

When you mistakenly opened the letter did you not think to return it immediately to the manager who had written it as presumably it had been signed and explain how you had come to open it? Alternatively it should have been given to HR if you have such a department or your boss? It should certainly not have been discussed with another member of staff in my opinion.

In terms of your written warning if this forms part of your company's disciplinary process did the company follow their own procedures. which you should have been notified about in writing, given full details of the allegations, the right to be accompanied etc. Once the written warning had been issued were you given the right to appeal and did you do so.