Is It Okay for My Manager to Post a Write-Up on a Public Board Without Telling Me?

I hope this is the right place to ask this.

I walked into work today and was late yet again. The time clock seems to keep changing time from +20 mins to -20 mins to being on time. Now that I figured that out, I will not be late again. Well, as I said, I walked in and about halfway through the day after my manager left, a coworker said there is a write-up on the board that you need to sign.

My question is, can my manager put a write-up (discipline) on a public board for all to see? I was there when the manager was. The manager did not inform me about the write-up; I found out about it approximately an hour after the manager left.

First, have you been habitually late reporting for work? How long have you worked there? Is this the first time you have been disciplined for being late? How is your overall attendance record?

Are you the only one who has been late due to the fluctuations of the time clock? If not, do you know who the others are? Will they verify that the clock is erratic?

Second, arrange for a meeting with the manager. Bring a trusted co-worker as a witness. Ask if the manager is aware of the variations in the time clock? (If so, then there may be days where the Company owes you money for overtime on the days that you have been early. California has a daily overtime provision in their wage and salary law.) If he denies that there is a problem with the time clock, present evidence of "others that have been similarly situated," that is have noticed that the clock is not correct some of the time.

In addition, let him know that you don't appreciate the posting of discipline on the bulletin board. In fact, you feel that he and the Company, since he is its agent, have held you up to embarrassment, ridicule, and humiliation, damaging your reputation in the eyes of co-workers.

Third, write to the President of the Company, copy to the Senior Human Resources Officer, usually a Vice-president, and copy yourself. (Mail them Certified with return receipt). Inform him/her of the situation and how you and others [including them] (would) feel if placed in the same circumstances. Ask for a face-to-face meeting. Bring your witness.

If the meeting is denied, or your concerns ignored, look for a good employment lawyer.

Sounds to me like the Company Officers don't know what is going on in the ranks. That Manager needs to attend a course on how to handle discipline cases and interpersonal relationships.