Disciplinary procedures and action against you at work
How disciplinary procedures work
Your employer should put their disciplinary procedure in writing, and make it easily available to all staff.
It should say what performance and behaviour might lead to disciplinary action and what action your employer might take.
It should also include the name of someone you can speak to if you do not agree with your employer’s disciplinary decision.
Disciplinary steps
Your employer’s disciplinary procedure should include the following steps:
-
A letter setting out the issue.
-
A meeting to discuss the issue.
-
A disciplinary decision.
-
A chance to appeal this decision.
Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) Code of Practice
Your employer’s disciplinary procedures should follow the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Your employer does not have to follow the Acas code. However, if they do not and you win an employment tribunal against them, you could get a larger payout.
There’s more guidance about how employers should run disciplinaries in the Acas guide on discipline and grievances at work.
Disciplinary procedures and employment contracts
Your employer can also put their disciplinary procedures in your employment contract.
If your employer does this and then does not follow these procedures you could sue them for breach of contract.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has different ways of solving workplace disputes.