If you’re a FedEx employee and things haven’t been going well for you lately, whether due to a series of absences or a conflict with your manager, it’s normal to think about your job security.
In this article, I’ll share information about FedEx’s termination policy. More specifically, I’ll let you know what the deal is with write-ups and absences!
FedEx Termination Policy In 2024
FedEx is an at-will employer and can terminate employment at any time with or without cause in 2024. In most cases, verbal and written warnings are likely to precede termination. Common reasons for termination include excessive unexcused absences, theft, violence, or a positive drug test. Employees can reapply to work at FedEx one year after being terminated.
You probably still have a lot of questions about FedEx’s termination policy, and I have the answers, so please keep reading!
Can You Get Fired From FedEx?
Like many companies in the United States, FedEx employs people on an “at-will” basis, meaning employees have essentially no protection when it comes to keeping their jobs.
Put another way, FedEx can fire an employee for just about any reason a manager deems fit (or without reason at all).
That said, FedEx has been handling a record number of packages and a staffing shortage for years, so the company can’t afford to fire someone without a good reason.
Why Does FedEx Fire People?
Because FedEx is an at-will employer, it’s difficult to give a succinct answer to this question.
Still, several offenses will generally always result in termination. Let’s look at a few below:
- Excessive tardiness
- Excessive unexcused absences
- Theft (e.g., money, goods, or workplace items)
- Workplace violence
- Positive drug test
Remember, this is only a partial list; there are many other reasons FedEx could choose to terminate someone’s employment.
If you have any questions, ask your supervisor or HR representative. Also, you can check your employee handbook for more information.
How Many Write-Ups Before Termination At FedEx?
Although FedEx is an at-will employer, that doesn’t mean managers are firing employees left and right for minor infractions.
Rather, the company uses a series of verbal and written warnings before terminating someone.
Further, write-ups are a form of written warnings FedEx gives employees when they miss work without providing a valid reason.
Therefore, you could be terminated if you get enough write-ups in a given time.
However, just how many write-ups you can get before getting fired seems to depend on the location.
For instance, some current employees say the number is four, while others say three or even one.
These discrepancies mostly concern how busy a location is, how much the employee’s absence disrupted the workflow, and how the manager chooses to react to the situation.
How Important Is Attendance At FedEx?
One of the main reasons FedEx employees get fired is due to poor attendance. Naturally, that begs the question, “how important is attendance at FedEx?”
If current employees are to be believed, FedEx’s attendance policy is pretty strict.
Indeed, the company’s call-out procedure requires employees to call their manager if they’ll be late or absent at least two hours before their scheduled start time.
Also, one unexcused absence (i.e., one where an employee doesn’t show up or call) probably won’t lead to termination, but it could lead to a write-up.
As mentioned previously, one write-up isn’t a big deal, but several in a short period could be grounds for termination.
Can You Work At FedEx Again After Being Fired?
If you’ve been fired from FedEx and want to reapply, it seems as though you can.
As with many things about FedEx’s termination policy, there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer about how long you need to wait before reapplying.
Still, most current employees say one year, while others say the waiting period could be as short as six months.
Ultimately, it depends on why you were fired and the location where you’re reapplying.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on does FedEx hire felons, is FedEx a good job, and FedEx sick leave policy.
Conclusion
While FedEx is an at-will employer, employees don’t need to worry about getting fired for every minor infraction.
In fact, most employees will receive written or verbal warnings before anything serious happens.
For more serious offenses, like violence, drug use, or theft, FedEx will likely fire someone immediately.
