LRD guides and handbook June 2018

Disciplinary and grievance procedures - a guide for union reps

Chapter 7

7. A fair disciplinary hearing

[ch 7: page 41]

The Acas Code says a disciplinary hearing should be held without unreasonable delay, while allowing the employee reasonable time to prepare the case. Unreasonable delay can make a dismissal unfair and may also breach the employment contract (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals v Cruden [1986] IRLR 83). See Chapter 4, page 24).