Topics

Discipline

Zeba Sayed

Editor's message: You can help avoid disciplinary issues arising in your organisation by having in place clear conduct rules setting out the standards expected of employees and the consequences of unacceptable conduct.

Having a fair disciplinary procedure is essential for dealing effectively with any employee misconduct, while minimising the risk of successful tribunal claims. It is important that you train all line managers on your organisation’s disciplinary policies and procedures. In particular, managers with responsibility for carrying out investigations and holding disciplinary hearings should understand which issues - in the event of a claim - an employment tribunal will consider when deciding if a disciplinary process was fair.

While there is no statutory disciplinary procedure, case law and the "Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures" set out basic principles that must be followed.

Zeba Sayed, employment law editor

New and updated