Question: I am working as a clerk but I am also relieving the receptionist in the morning and in the afternoon. So this week she was off since Monday and she will be returning next week Monday. Today I arrived 15minutes late because of transport so my boss was sent an email by our manager that, he must advice me on the matter because I’ll get a written warning for not sitting at reception when is required of me… Please advice since I am not a receptionist but I am forced to do the work which I was.

Answer: Any employee may be asked to perform any duties that are reasonable and within their capabilities. By you relieving reception on a regular basis means that you are capable of doing so, regardless of whether you are employed as a clerk. Please note that transport may never be used as an excuse for late arrival and I, as a senior HR practitioner would never accept such an excuse. My answer to you would be to leave earlier. So, the Company has every right to issue you a form of disciplinary action as the misconduct is lateness and not related to the tasks that you perform.

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