INSUBORDINATION

Probably one of the least understood concepts in employment is insubordination. The dictionary defines insubordination as “unwilling to submit to authority.” It may be difficult to acknowledge sometimes, but usually everyone has a boss. Being “boss” gives the person some supervisory rights. Management is expected to exert some leadership to direct the institutional operations. These rights, however, are limited by law, the contract, and other rules and regulations. The boss has the right to issue reasonable orders and directions so long as they conform to the contract, and are: (1) not injurious to health; (2) clear and unambiguous; (3) applied uniformly; and (4) justly administered If you, as an employee, think that the administration has given an order which violates some rule, the contract, or a law, the best advice is to carry out the order to the extent possible and necessary while, at the same time, pursuing those remedies available to you, namely, grievance and/or suit. One order you don’t have to carry out is one which could reasonably result in injury to personal health or safety. In such cases you can’t be insubordinate. Insubordination is probably one of the easiest charges to prove against an employee. However, to be guilty of insubordination, you must be aware of a rule or directive (although it need not be written). Furthermore, the rule of reason dictates that your noncompliance should be brought forcefully to your attention (probably through a verbal warning and/or written reprimand) before you can be disciplined or dismissed for insubordination.

A good rule to follow with respect to insubordination is “Don’t Be!”