I received a written warning for an error I made.

65 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 17,2023 at 7:20PM UTC

   Wasn't there a place for any comments back? I've never not seen a counseling that doesn't provide that. I would say no to your question btw, IMO.

2. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 1:02AM UTC

   There is a place for a comment on the written warning. I was so shocked I did not write anything. I am thinking of sending an email to my manager that I have performed this task very infrequently and made an error. Should I include Human Resources on that email since I did not write my response on the written warning.

3. Cindy GloverNovember 17,2023 at 10:40PM UTC

   Is there a step by step guide to do this task?

   When was the last time you did this task and if I may ask, what prompted you to have to do it again?

   I’M sorry, but if I’d given someone a task, knowing it’d been some time or not

   your normal day to day task - I would do MY JOB AS YOUR MANAGER AND GUIDE YOU - NOT WRITE YOU UP!

4. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 1:11AM UTC

   I would estimate the last time I performed this task was approximately 9-12 months ago. No one was harmed by my error. I admitted to making a mistake since I rarely complete that task. Do you think I should reach out to human resouces and explain this is a task I can not done in 9-12 months ?

5. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

   Was this just an email or written memo reminding you that you forgot a part of the process or a formal write-up stating your performance needs to improve with an action plan going forward? If it was the former, HR does not need to be involved unless you have previously been given verbal warnings about your performance. If it were the latter, I would loop HR in because the PIP was probably filed with them, especially if there was a termination warning in the write-up.

6. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 9:08PM UTC

   I was in a meeting where management asked for feedback to improve the organization. I suggested better communication would improve the work processes. The next day I was placed on a three month PIP( performance improvement plan). I believe the PIP was because I spoke up and said communication could be improved.

   I received an very good annual review and the PIP ended in three months. Two weeks after the PIP ended, I received a written warning that I violated a policy regarding collecting specimens from patients. I explained it was an oversight on my part, that I rarely collect the specimens as part of my job. The discipline seems too harsh. I think I should write an email to the person who gave me the warning and HR.

7. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

   I think you need to consider that it’s time to start looking for a new job. Don’t go back to HR to add a comment. Keep your head down, do your work well, and start job hunting. Good luck.

8. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:28PM UTC

   Employers don't like comments as to how improve practices. I learned that the hard way.

9. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 3:00AM UTC

   I wouldn't say anything and start looking for a new job. It seems like they're going to kick you out if you don't get out on your own.

10. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 9:42PM UTC

    It was a written warning. I plan to respond to my boss and explain I have only done this specimen collection twice in the past two years and ask for more training on other specimen collections I might have to do. I have already requested additional training on other specimen collection before this error occurred and I did not get the training. Should I include HR in my response? My spouse thinks I should send it to my boss and ask her if I should also copy HR.

11. Liz HessNovember 18,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

    IMO This should not be a write warning. This should be a coaching session and or brainstorm how the process can be improved.

    We are human. If you rarely do something then I wouldn't expect you to remember every step needed.

    Agreed, HR does not need to be involved. If you are concerned about how your manager handled the situation, I would document it. HR may or may not be useful (it depends on the company).

12. Cindy GloverNovember 19,2023 at 2:19AM UTC

    Well said Liz

13. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:25PM UTC

    I agree

    HR is not your friend.

14. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 7:11PM UTC

    A single individual’s error on a process should not mean reworking the process. And in this case where they are talking about healthcare and patient data — OP should be reflecting on how she can improve individually.

15. Liz HessNovember 20,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

    Looking at the Just Culture model, there is always opportunity to look at how the system functioned versus just relying on the human. Agreed, may not need to re-work the process. Figuring out if the system is supporting the humans that rarely do this task is just as important on reflecting on personal actions.

16. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 3:05PM UTC

    The OP posted their error in the comment section and it is healthcare field and it was not a simple “oops.” The write up and any retraining is correct to do.

17. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 3:22PM UTC

    I would not have signed the warning in protest of the harshness. Assuming you are not on a performance improvement plan, a chat with HR may not be a bad idea. If HR agrees that written warnings are fine for minor infractions instead of coaching then you are clear about where you work. If HR finds that this may be a coach’able moment for your supervisor the. It’s a win for everyone

18. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 4:38PM UTC

    The fact that they needed a write up for this makes me wonder why. Are they building a paper trail? Do they do this for every infraction? It seems odd to me.

19. misskelleypNovember 18,2023 at 5:51PM UTC

    A written warning seems harsh for an error. That said, we have no idea how minor or major the error was. So it's hard to advise you without some context.

20. misskelleypNovember 19,2023 at 7:49PM UTC

    Ok, now that we know what the error is I will revise my comment - this WAS a major flub. The patient had to take time out of their day (missing work?) to come back in and get poked (or otherwise leave a different kind of sample), everyone had to wait longer for the results. Yeah, you deserved the write up. Now take it to heart, and resolve to do better.

21. AnonymousNovember 18,2023 at 8:59PM UTC

    I forgot to label a specimen with the name of the person and the date of birth. The specimen had to be recollected. No one was harmed by this error.

22. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:12AM UTC

    Your casting of this as no big deal is incorrect. This was a big deal. Not surprised they wrote you up. Even if you only do this occasionally, that's so fundamental that I would worry you don't understand the environment you work in even when this specific task isn't commonly part of your daily workload.

23. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    I agree with the other replies here, not labeling the sample correctly caused at the very least rework for everyone else in the process, at the most harm. As a manager your response that this error “didn’t harm anyone” would cause me to question your judgment and professionalism. I suspect that is some of what you are experiencing in all your other interactions with your management (ie the PIP). Please take this as an opportunity for personal reflection on how to improve.

24. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 3:31PM UTC

    I agree with other posters who commented that this is serious. I also don’t understand what doing a task rarely has to do with forgetting to label the specimen. That is something that should happen with every patient interaction and is not specific to any procedure.

25. AnonymousNovember 23,2023 at 7:46PM UTC

    THIS !!! clearly she whent to nursing school , since she is an RN !!!! so this was nuring 101 , they teach you this in SCHOOL in the forst day of class, okay i might be exagération a bit but the first day they teach you to give meds and collect samples. i am a LPN, i was well aware of how to collect samples on my first day of work. thus the write up

26. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 11:05PM UTC

    The person HAD to go back , miss work , pay GAZ. It’s a waste of time for everyone. It is a BIG error

27. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 4:16PM UTC

    As the patient who this has happened to- I can tell you I really appreciate the hospital writing up the nurse that had to repeat my COVID test in the ER.

    my situation was a few months back…

    but it’s simple. That is unacceptable, labeling specimens, documents, homework… it is something basic… and in my case, they had to repeat the swab, I bled as those things were not gentle- AND it cost more time away from my newborn at the time.. it is truly concerning that you state that no harm was caused… I was stressed and it made me question the rest of the care I was getting in the facility- it probably means I’ll try and choose another ER in the future.. if I ever need one… so… was there really no harm done?

    im sorry but I would not be comfortable in your care- not because of the mistake- but because your aim seems to be how to “make it ok” and your statement is completely dismissive of what it caused to anyone other than yourself.

28. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 6:07PM UTC

    I work in health care and this error has occurred to me as a patient. It caused me to change physician offices as I could no longer trust the quality of my care. You are very lucky to only have a written. You should perform a self evaluation based on your "no harm" attitude. This may not be the field for you.

29. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

    Based on the written warning following shortly after a PIP, sounds like you are heading out the door. This happened to me several years ago. I'm sorry to hear about it occurring to you. Yes people are human and errors happen. None the less, update the resume and apply elsewhere. Getting a new job is easier when you have not been fired.

    As far as the PIP, there are other places that really want input.

30. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

    A PIP is not necessarily the same thing as a written warning.

31. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 3:51PM UTC

    Noone said it was.

32. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 3:46AM UTC

    Yes, I was placed on a PIP and that ended. Then a received a written warning.

33. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    Accept the write up, and MoveOn. Explaining yourself makes it look like you’re not taking ownership.

34. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

    THIS

35. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:42PM UTC

    How bad was the error? Did anything terrible happen because od this? Do coworkers in your position make the same error(s)?

    I volunteered for an additional 6 hours and made a minor error. I got an email about it; I am no longer going to work 14 hour days! Previously I was micromanaged and received counseling while coworkers were making the same errors because the directives were constantly changing. I typed a 3 page document in response to this, singed it, scanned it and emailed it with my counseling paper.

36. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 3:45AM UTC

    Nothing terrible occurred. A patient had to retake a nasal swab Covid test. I admit the error was my fault and I will be more careful. It was an oversight on my part because I have only performed this test one other time in the past thirteen months.

37. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 1:29PM UTC

    Nothing terrible occurred? Maybe not, but it wasn't good. That patient was already feeling crappy, and then had to be subjected to a painful swab again. Plus their trust in your clinic just went down the tubes, and they'll tell your friends. If you haven't done something in a long time and don't remember the steps you need to ask for guidance. The write up was deserved

38. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 2:46PM UTC

    Any event like this in your field SHOULD be documented in case a pattern emerges. As the patient I would not trust your lab, and we talk to our friends and neighbors. So your organization was harmed.

39. maria roseNovember 19,2023 at 2:51PM UTC

    I have to agree with this comment to the OP who had explained the reason for the write up was improper labeling of a specimen with incorrect information of whom it was taken from which if not caught and corrected would have lead to misdiagnosis of the person f whom the specimen actually belonged to . I don’t know all the HIPA regulations but they are extremely strict about avoidance of mistakes like this because a misdiagnosis because of a single mistake can lead to malpractice lawsuits. So this mistake might feel minor to the OP and the write up harsh but it is not and the OP needs to understand that they can’t make mistakes like this and can’t use any excuse to remedy their mistake. Accept the write up for the seriousness it implies and never be so careless when doing any procedure regardless of whether they do it often or occasionally. In the field of work they are in , mistakes have consequences. If they can’t do it correctly and get upset if caught doing it wrong, they are in the wrong field of work.

40. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 8:29PM UTC

    I appreciate your comments but want to address the “because…malpractice…” bit. Care is NOT provided to avoid malpractice. Care is provided to TREAT the patient APPROPRIATELY. Not labeling the specimen could lead to improper treatment and result in a bad outcome for the patient. That is the focus. The regulations and procedures are in place to allow for best practices in patient care, not best practices in avoiding a lawsuit.

41. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 5:38PM UTC

    I don't work in healthcare but as a patient, I've always had them show me the label and I have to verify my name and DOB on the label and watch them label it.

    If you didn't label it, is it because you also missed those steps (ie confirming with the patient) too?

    If you write to HR what are you going to say aside from "I don't do this regularly and will be more careful in the future"?

42. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 8:40PM UTC

    Good point! I plan to assure HR I will be more careful in the future. I will mention that I did verify the patient by checking her ID band for name and date of birth, along with asking the patient her name and date of birth.

43. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    I believe the ambiguousness of your post was deceiving to others, as your error was explained in replies, where you should have explained the error upfront. You work in healthcare and we’re asked to do a rare task, but not an unusual task. It’s something you were trained to do and there are steps you take for everything you do in healthcare. Many in my family are/were in healthcare. Many friends are in healthcare, some recently or later in life as a career change or passion to help others. There are never a lack of steps or instructions available, and taking the 25-30 seconds to review saves everyone the headache later from a misstep as important as labeling a sample! The label is the very first thing done in any sample taken. So, the process and steps in which you were to follow were disregarded. It may not have been intentional, but it was indeed a serious error that DID in fact cause harm as several commentators have pointed out. Take accountability for what you did (didn’t) do and accept that you need to ask for some additional training so that you do not make this error again. If there are rare, occasional take you do, create your own cheat sheets or laminated cards you can keep in your pockets for reference. At this point, it’s better to just accept the mistake, learn from it, and move forward. Everyone makes mistakes in the careers they have. The difference is the ownership taken when they happen. It seems you wanted to be given a pass on a rare duty that’s a primary skill and responsibility to know for your job.

44. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 6:35PM UTC

    As someone who just had some lab work done for a suspected serious health condition, this scares me and would have caused a lot of anxiety for me to have such an error.

45. AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 9:51PM UTC

    I see that you mentioned the mistake that you made in the comments section. As a person that gets high anxiety with needles, MRIs and such, and recently had to have a biopsy; if I was told that I would have to repeat a procedure because someone forgot to put my name and DOB on it I would absolutely flip my lid. You are wrong wrong wrong and should be thanking your lucky stars a write up is all you got.

46. Lori Laurito BetzNovember 19,2023 at 11:45PM UTC

    I’m wondering in which healthcare jobs is collecting patient specimens “rarely” part of your job duties?? I’d think it either is or is not…I mean, are healthcare facilities having clerical staff pitch in with this when they’re busy??

47. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 3:40AM UTC

    No, the licensed practical nurses and medical assistants are typically the staff collecting these specimens. I am typically on the phone advising patients as a triage nurse.

48. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    Healthcare is crazy anymore. I have seen things in the last 5 years that would have never happened in other hospitals and medical offices. Who knows....training is getting less and less everywhere regardless where you work. All order forms are different specimen collection. I did not see where she posted what it actually was.

49. Sylvia VerrecchiaNovember 20,2023 at 1:21PM UTC

    Yes. Always, throughout your career, counter any time this happens to you. You have the right to be heard. I have to question though why any mistake requires a written warning. Written warnings are generally applied for horrid behaviour. Mistakes are simply, mistakes. We all make them - we don't come to work to be "perfect". Having worked in HR for 30 years, I always encourage rebuttals - it sets a clear picture for HR on how you got to this point. Take each line of the warning letter and beside it, make notes on what you want to highlight and speak to you in your rebuttal. Open the letter with a line saying you wish to clarify for HR the circumstances that led to the written warning. Do it in point form. Be clear, concise and do not apologize in your letter. You were doing your job, you made a mistake.

50. AnonymousNovember 26,2023 at 3:36AM UTC

    This was a medical mistake in a medical facility; the OP mentioned what is was in comments. Not a simple clerical error.

51. Maggie StoneNovember 20,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

    If and when you do provide a written rebuttal, I would not just promise to be more careful, I would say specifically what steps you are going to take to prevent this error from being repeated.

    If you need more practice or training, ask for it.

52. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 2:47PM UTC

    I used to manage a family practice clinic. This is absolutely a write-up at a minimum. To state that “no harm was done” shows a lack of understanding of the patient perspective, no respect for their time or staff time, and no respect for the cost of goods related to specimen collection. I would have have sent you for retraining and expected you to be proactively engaged in quality care and demonstrating a genuine effort. It sounds like your attitude is “no big deal” and given that, all of my documentation would be geared towards termination.

53. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 4:32PM UTC

    If you have Joint Commission inspections, your supervisor may have been required to write you up. You could find the process and include it in your response saying you will follow the stated steps as outlined and no errors will be made by you.

54. Gem0124November 20,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

    If you send a written rebuttal, please be sure to include what steps or measures that you put into place to keep it from doing it again.

55. AnonymousNovember 20,2023 at 5:11PM UTC

    Absolutely! Don't come across as defensive, and if it is something that you rarely do explain that as well suggesting that perhaps drafting a document so that in future if the task is done by you or anyone else that it gets done correctly, especially if it is mission critical and could cause harm to the company. If it is something benign you could do the same. Own the error but ask for forgiveness and share what you have done to assure this won't happen again.

56. Liz MilneNovember 20,2023 at 9:57PM UTC

    I would and I would ask for it to be attached to the written warning in your personnel file. Even if no one in management reads it, you will have peace of mind that you explained what happened on record

57. Kristie WhiteNovember 21,2023 at 6:09PM UTC

    So my first impression is - was there a written description of the instructions on the process? If not, did the person who asked you to do the task provide one? If not, did you take notes on how the process should be conducted? If your training was minimal, and this task is out of the ordinary for you, I would challenge the written warning. I don't think it is fair to write someone up for a mistake if they are inadequately prepared to accurately complete the work.

58. Cindy GloverNovember 26,2023 at 12:21AM UTC

    Exactly ?

59. Kristie WhiteNovember 28,2023 at 4:55PM UTC

    I do need to qualify my answer now. I read another post that said the OP mentioned in a comment that this was in healthcare. Having worked in hospitals for 10+ years and having friends who are healthcare workers, I know mistakes in care are handled very strictly. You don't want someone to think they can make a mistake without consequences because it will be understood when they are giving life impacting care. There is no excuse accepted - and we would all want our caregiving to be that way.

60. Cherise NewNovember 22,2023 at 12:37AM UTC

    I never sign anything I don't agree to.

61. Sylvia VerrecchiaNovember 22,2023 at 7:08PM UTC

    Never, ever, sign a written warning from an Employer. You have the right to respond and provide your explanation for what happened. You want HR to have both versions of the event in your file. We forget things all the time, we make mistakes all the time. Write your rebuttal, do not say you will be "more careful in the future" - that would be understood given the written warning and it makes you subservient. And find a new job - really. Who wants to work for a punitive, micromanaging employer that won't forgive mistakes or allow you to forget how to do something. Life is short - don't spend it with your current employer!

62. maria roseNovember 25,2023 at 4:13PM UTC

    No I would not change my reply based on the fact that this is a healthcare issue and malpractice suits are caused by “simple mistakes “. I am more concerned in this situation that the OP feels no responsibility for the “mistake” and is putting more emphasis on the “reaction” of feeling “picked on” for a “mistake” which could have caused a PROBLEM (medical issue for the patient) if not caught. Obviously this person is only thinking of themselves and not the consequences of their actions on others. The key part of medical treatment is—To Do No Harm. As far as I am concerned this person is in the wrong field of work to if they can’t realize that mistakes have consequences and to learn from the mistake and eliminate it from happening again.

63. AnonymousNovember 25,2023 at 8:38PM UTC

    I did not say I am answering phones. I said I am a triage nurse so I am on the phone as my primary job. Why are you so angry?

64. AnonymousNovember 27,2023 at 12:20AM UTC

    i plan to write a letter stating the reason I made the mistake and ask for more training to prevent future errors . I have asked for training in the past and it has not occurred. Does this letter go to my manager or my manager and HR?

65. maria roseNovember 27,2023 at 7:39PM UTC

    Make copies of your request for training, enough to cover all the bases and have a copy for yourself—with a date on the request. Realize this, it doesn’t excuse you from future mistakes, but does acknowledge your awareness of your training and skill level at that date. You should have done this before, even through your school training program, but now you have a chance to right your comprehensive level. Good luck