Acas Guidance on developing good discipline and grievance procedures
[ch 2: pages 12-13]The Acas Guidance on Discipline and Grievance says good disciplinary procedures should:
• be in writing;
• be non-discriminatory;
• provide for matters to be dealt with speedily;
• allow for information to be kept confidential;
• tell employees what disciplinary action might be taken;
• say what levels of management have authority to take the various forms of disciplinary action;
• require employees to be informed of the complaints against them and of supporting evidence before the disciplinary hearing;
• allow the employee to have their say before management reaches a decision;
• provide workers with the right to be accompanied;
• state that no employee will be dismissed for a first breach of discipline except in cases of gross misconduct;
• require management to investigate fully before disciplinary action is taken;
• give employees an explanation for any sanction and a right of appeal;
• apply to all employees, irrespective of length of service or status;
• any suspension should be brief, paid and never used as a sanction; and
• employers must ensure any employee is heard in good faith and without being prejudged.