Employers are required by law to go through certain disciplinary procedures before dismissing an employee.
Even if you have a fair reason for the dismissal, you may be liable for unfair dismissal if you do not go through the correct procedure.
A fair procedure should, at the very least, include the following :
- You should carry out a reasonable investigation before making a decision
- You should arrange a disciplinary hearing at which the employee is given the opportunity to state their case
- The employee should be notified of the hearing and the reasons for the hearing in writing
- The employee should be given the right to bring a colleague to the hearing
- You should consider other lesser forms of discipline
- You should notify the employee in writing of the termination of employment and the reasons for it.
- The employee should be notified of the right to appeal against the decision.
Please contact one of our solicitors for a free initial consultation if you are considering bringing disciplinary action against an employee..
