Grievance and Discipline at Work

Every business or organisation needs rules. They set the standards of conduct and performance at work. Rules cover things like timekeeping, absence, discrimination and gross misconduct. Disciplinary procedures are used for dealing with problems with employees’ conduct or their performance which could lead to warnings or dismissal and grievance procedures are used for considering problems that employees wish to raise with their employer.

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) Code of Practice provides practical guidance to employers, workers and their representatives on:

  • The statutory requirements relating to disciplinary and dismissal issues
  • Good employment practice in dealing with grievance issues
  • What constitutes reasonable behaviour when dealing with disciplinary and grievance issues
  • Drawing up and using disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • A worker’s statutory right to bring a companion to grievance and disciplinary hearing