LRD guides and handbook November 2015

Monitoring and surveillance at work - a practical guide for trade union reps

Chapter 7

Records of disciplinary matters and grievances


[ch 7: page 72]

Consistent handling of disciplinary matters will be difficult unless simple records are kept of decisions and how they were made. These records should be confidential, detailing the nature of any breach of disciplinary rules, the action taken and the reasons for it, the date action was taken, whether an appeal was lodged, its outcome and any subsequent developments. Records of grievances are also protected by the DPA 98. 


Records must be kept confidential and be adequate, relevant, accurate and secure. Records of disciplinary and grievance matters should only be kept if they adhere to DPA principles. Workers should be given the opportunity to check and comment on the minutes of any meetings to ensure accuracy. There must be clear procedures in place on the handling of spent warnings.