Discipline and Grievance Issues

6. The Disciplinary Hearing

6.1 Employees should be given sufficient notice to prepare for a formal hearing. Hearings should not normally be held on the same day as notification.

6.2 Respect the employee's rights. For example, their right to give their side of the story and to be accompanied if they wish.

6.3 Make clear the consequences if there is no improvement (eg penalties or dismissal).

6.4 Compose any written warning after the hearing, not before.

• Verbal warnings are usually valid for three to six months, while final warnings may remain in force for 12 months or more.
• Where an improvement is required, state what improvement is required, how it will be measured and the possible consequences of not making the improvements.
• State the duration of any written warning in the warning letter.