Discipline and Grievance Issues

4. The Code of Practice

Your guide to disciplinary procedures is the Acas Code of Practice. Tribunals must refer to it in all disciplinary dismissal cases and at any other time when it appears relevant. To comply with the Code of Practice, you should:

4.1 Put your disciplinary procedure in writing.

Ensure it is at least as good as the statutory minimum (see 5).

4.2 Say what disciplinary actions may be taken and provide for issues to be resolved.

4.3 Say who has the authority to take action.

4.4 Make it clear that employees will not be dismissed for a first breach of discipline, unless there has been gross misconduct.