How Should I Respond to a Show Cause Letter Over Misunderstood Overtime? Seeking Advice

I have been with an organization in sales for the last one and a half years. However, due to some egoistic issues with my boss, he issued a show cause letter to me because I didn't finish my overtime on 12th May 2012 until 5:30 pm. Communication via email from her had clearly stated that only on the 19th and 26th of May, all staff must stay back until the aforementioned time.

In this situation, I need a professional point of view on how to answer the show cause letter and whether I am wrong if I refuse to acknowledge the letter. I would appreciate any advice.

I understand from the details given by you that you received a show-cause notice for not staying until 5:30 P.M. on 12th May, although such instruction was meant for 19th and 26th May. Your defense is that you did not do anything wrong on 12th May. A show-cause notice is a fact-finding exercise, and when it is issued, rightly or wrongly, the employee should accept it, explain, clarify their position, and request the manager to close the case. Refusal may lead to insubordination, which provides a case for initiating action against you.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

Like Saikumar mentioned, it would be an issue if you don't accept the Show-Cause letter. You would be indirectly conveying that you have done something wrong. It's also an opportunity for you to put forth your point of view. But a few words of caution/practice:

1. Put all your replies in writing.
2. You haven't mentioned if you are the only one to receive such a Show-Cause letter. If there are others who received it too, then you can seek their help to draft a suitable reply. If not, then why not?
3. Given that you are based in Malaysia, please check out the issue from a legal perspective based on Malaysian laws.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS

Thank you in advance for your advice and point of view. At least guidance from both of you makes me more confident about the correct steps I should take.

Regards