Can My Employer Issue Retroactive Warnings After I've Resigned? Seeking Advice

Hi, I have recently resigned from my post in Dubai, UAE. I still have 17 days remaining on my notice period. I never had a warning letter before until recently. Today, during my notice period, they have given me my second warning already, citing that the first one was a verbal warning that happened a year back, and they want me to sign it and send it to them.

Question: Is the warning letter valid, given that I have already submitted my resignation? Can they issue retroactive warnings? Please advise.

My answer to your question is no, they cannot do that. (Hope you have everything documented regarding your resignation).

Thank you for posting your query.

Firstly, Congratulations on Making a Big Decision in Your Professional Life

Not many people in Dubai, UAE, are in a position to make such decisions due to the following reasons:

• Comfort with their current financial situation.
• Waiting for the bonus.
• Not skilled enough to take on a challenge elsewhere.
• Having too many loans or liabilities and thus cannot leave their current position.
• Visa and NOC issues.

Considering the fact that you have overcome all such nuances, you need to reflect on why you were served the warning letter in the first instance.

1. If it is a disciplinary issue that was highlighted, then you should be apologetic and ensure your behavior does not offend or stray away from the policies and procedures of the organization.
2. If your manager does not like you and has a habit of issuing warning letters, then smile and accept it. You have decided to be part of the organization. If you don't like the way they operate or their corporate guidelines do not match your philosophy, then resign. No one has forced your decision. What's the point in complaining?

Answer to Your Question

Yes, the organization has every right legally to issue a warning letter.

How?

Well, you need to look at the timeframe and the change in your behavior since you tendered your resignation.

1. Have you been praised by colleagues for making the right decision? If your decision is right, why have they not resigned with you?
2. Have you resigned on a poor note or due to a conflict of interest with your organization? If you don't like them, move on. If you feel you are always right, then you should aim to be a Board member.
3. Have you resigned and become more vocal and critical in your daily comments regarding the working conditions and the management? You have resigned because it is your decision. Who has given you the right to defame or speak negatively?

You need to understand that on legal grounds, you may be impacting or influencing other employees' behavior and productivity. If you are making poor comments and statements, then you are surely looking for a mandatory ban enforced on you legally if proven guilty.

You have resigned, so move on. Is it a career you want to build, or do you want to look like a superhero in front of a few colleagues who will never be part of your life in the future?

Regards,

Is it that your employer gave you a verbal warning earlier and now wants to document it via a warning letter? OR

Is the Company issuing you a second warning?

What exactly does the warning letter state? Usually, when a warning letter is issued, some corrective action is expected from the employee. Will the corrective action be practical in your case? Since you are on notice, do you have sufficient time and opportunity to exhibit the improvement(s)?

Also, very important, please try to figure out the motive of the Company behind issuing the letter. Will it affect your relieving, settlement, future prospects, etc., in any way?

Legally, the Company can issue warning letters during the notice period but, from my experience, such letters are more related to casual behavior, gossip, spreading negativity, etc., and not for performance.

Take a constructive approach to figure out what exactly the Company wants and why. If it's not going to have any impact on your future, then don't spend time arguing over it.

Hope this helps.