Warning letter for insubordination at work

Warning for Insubordination

Letters Kate

Insubordination at work is intentional or willful disobedience to an authorized person. If an employee refuses to obey an employer’s lawful, reasonable, and practical request, it is considered insubordination. This disobedience and disrespectful behavior toward the employer can result in disciplinary action against the employee, and in serious cases, it may end in termination.

The order by a supervisor/employer may take one of the following forms:

  • A verbally communicated order
  • A written order
  • A responsibility stated in the job description
  • A responsibility implied in the job description

An employee is held responsible for insubordination if he/she verbally refuses to obey the order, perform the task, or delay the work for a long period. In addition, any kind of verbal disrespect, such as rude behavior, insult, swearing, cursing, mocking, eye-rolling, physical intimidation, etc., falls into the category of insubordination.

Dealing with insubordination is not easy for an employer, as disciplining and ending the contract are not always the answers. Some of the considerations for an employer are:

  • In some cases, the law protects an employee, e.g., if the employee is involved in a protected job. Employers need to consider the legal aspects before taking any action against insubordination.
  • The employer has to consider the culture, situation, and relationship between the person who disobeyed and the person who disobeyed. Sometimes, the relationship is so informal that the employee argues in a normal tone, which is taken as disrespect by the supervisor.
  • It is to be ensured that the instruction or order is not misunderstood.
  • It is also important to see how and under what circumstances the supervisor gave the order. For instance, if an employee had to meet a deadline for an important project and the supervisor overloaded the employee with another task, his refusal might not attract disciplinary action from the employer.
  • Any history of insubordination is also considered.
  • The severity of insubordination has to be analyzed for the appropriate disciplinary action.
  • If an employee refuses to perform an order that is illegal, unethical, unsafe, or against the company’s policies, it does not fall under the category of insubordination.

Organizations usually have policies regarding insubordination. After assessing all the factors, the employer usually gives a verbal warning, which may be followed by a written warning. If the employee’s behavior continues, it results in termination.

Sample Warning Letters

#1

This letter serves as a formal warning regarding your repeated refusal to follow precise instructions from your supervisor, John Doe. This is the second time you have failed to follow direct instructions within the past month. Such behavior is considered insubordination.

Recently, during the project implementation phase on September 20th, 20XX, you were directed to update the client database by the end of the workday. However, despite multiple reminders, you did not complete the task. This showed your lack of regard for your supervisor’s instructions, and the company does not tolerate such behavior.

Please remember that further instances of insubordination will result in disciplinary action. Therefore, you must improve your work behavior.

We expect that you will take this matter seriously and follow all instructions in the future.

#2

I am writing to address a severe matter during your October 22, 20XX shift. Your supervisor asked you to participate in the xyz training session. However, you were hesitant and refused to participate. Your blatant refusal is considered insubordination.

Remember that participation in the session was not a voluntary choice. It was mandatory for the chosen employees. However, your refusal displayed your lack of obedience. Such behavior is not in line with our company’s expectations.

Please consider this a formal warning. We expect full cooperation with management in the future. If you display any insubordination in the future, we will be forced to take further disciplinary action.

#3

Date

Name

Address

Subject: Warning for Insubordination

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I am writing this letter to inform you about your two days of disciplinary layoff due to your disrespectful behavior on Friday, August 10th, 2018, around 2:00 p.m. It also serves as a warning letter to avoid any such behavior in the future.

On Friday, I came to you and asked you to improve the project report you had submitted before. In response, you started shouting and arguing that it was a perfect report. I wanted you to edit the report based on the client’s comments. Rather than understanding that, you kept shouting and disturbing the whole office. I tried to stop you and gave you a verbal warning, but you just left the hallway while screaming and swearing.

This behavior cannot be tolerated, and you are being placed on a two-day layoff starting August 11th, 20XX. You must report on August 13th, 20XX, at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

This letter will be kept in your record file. If this behavior continues, it will attract severe disciplinary action, leading to the termination of your contract with the company.

Regards,

Smith Steven.

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Warning letter for insubordination at work
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