Is it legal for middle level management to issue discipline to an initial-level supervisor for an infraction that is an acceptable practice with bargaining unit employees of the same employer?
IOW, a supervisor follows an established, accepted practice of a craft employee, yet receives discipline for it. No clear-cut policy exception was ever written or stated that procedures were different between craft and management.
The specific case is calling-in sick in conjunction with off-days. Facility policy is that sick call-ins over three days in duration require medical documentation to substantiate. With craft employees, if the three days are in conjunction with off-days, the off-days are not counted towards the cumulative three-day rule and documentation is not required.
However, an initial-level supervisor called in sick in conjunction with his non-scheduled days and was informed that the total number of days he was off was five (not three). The supervisor was then disciplined for failing to provide said required documentation although it had never been required with any previous craft employee who had followed the exact same call-in procedure.
IOW, a supervisor follows an established, accepted practice of a craft employee, yet receives discipline for it. No clear-cut policy exception was ever written or stated that procedures were different between craft and management.
The specific case is calling-in sick in conjunction with off-days. Facility policy is that sick call-ins over three days in duration require medical documentation to substantiate. With craft employees, if the three days are in conjunction with off-days, the off-days are not counted towards the cumulative three-day rule and documentation is not required.
However, an initial-level supervisor called in sick in conjunction with his non-scheduled days and was informed that the total number of days he was off was five (not three). The supervisor was then disciplined for failing to provide said required documentation although it had never been required with any previous craft employee who had followed the exact same call-in procedure.
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