Grievance, Discipline and Dismissals

• Advise on the legal issues involved in grievance, discipline and dismissal processes
• Advise on and apply your organization’s grievance and disciplinary procedures
• Handle difficult situations in a timely, effective fashion
• Follow all aspects of best practice in grievance, discipline and dismissals.

CONTENT

Acas Code of Practice: Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures

• The procedure
• The guidance notes

Grievance Procedures

• What the law requires
• Grievance or grumble?
• understanding and applying your organization’s procedures
• conducting investigations

Disciplinary Procedures

• Legal requirements
• Understanding and applying your organization’s procedures
• Conducting investigations/witness statements/anonymity
• Conducting the disciplinary hearing
• Acting ‘fairly’ and ‘reasonably’
• Natural justice
• The right to be accompanied (and by whom)
• The appeals procedure and its importance

A Practical Approach to Common Issues

• Handling poor performers
• Managing absence; short and long-term
• Dealing with misconduct; in and out of work
• Dealing with bullying and harassment issues
• Misuse of social media

Dismissal

• What is wrongful, unfair and constructive dismissal?
• Potentially fair reasons for dismissal
• Dismissal procedures, including right of appeal
• Procedural flaws, the ‘no difference’ rule
• Group dismissals
• Termination payments
• Settlement agreements

Redundancy

• Definitions, selection
• Collective and individual consultation

Employment Tribunal Claims

• What are they and who can claim?
• Fees and penalties
• New tribunal rules.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.