How long should warnings remain live? 


The Acas Guidance says that except in agreed special circumstances, warnings or other disciplinary sanctions should be disregarded for disciplinary purposes once a fixed period of satisfactory conduct or performance has passed (i.e. they cease to be “live” and instead become “lapsed” or “spent”). The length of the live period should be agreed when the procedure is drawn up, and set out clearly. Acas suggests up to six months for a First Written Warning and up to 12 months for a Final Warning, or “more in exceptional circumstances”.