Handling disciplinaries

Introduction

Even in well-run businesses, it may sometimes be necessary to take disciplinary action against employees.

Therefore it's crucial that you have written disciplinary rules and procedures. If problems do arise, these procedures should help dissuade employees from making tribunal claims and ensure you deal with employees fairly.

Your rules and procedures should:

• be set out in writing
• follow the good-practice principles set out in the Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures

Failure to meet this requirement may result in extra compensation for the employee if they succeed in a tribunal claim.

This guide outlines what you need to put in your procedures, how to handle disciplinary issues in practice, and what disciplinary penalties you can apply.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Disciplinary procedures and the employment contract
• Setting out disciplinary rules and procedures
• Investigating disciplinary matters
• Informal and formal disciplinary action
• Preparing for a disciplinary hearing
• Holding a disciplinary hearing
• Dealing with grievances raised during disciplinary procedures
• Types of disciplinary penalty
• Appeals against disciplinary decisions

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