Disciplinary and grievance procedures exist to ensure a fair and transparent process is followed when dealing with difficult or challenging situations in the workplace.
A disciplinary or grievance issue usually occurs when the actions or behaviour of an employer or employee has had a potentially damaging impact on your business. Damage can cover a range of issues including reputational. For many small businesses the disciplinary and grievance process, including consultation, can be an unwelcome hindrance and costly interruption to their normal conduct of business.
People People HR is able to support your businesses through our efficient management of the disciplinary and grievance procedures, clearly detailing each step of the way. We supply an independent advisor to either advise you or conduct and manage the consultations preceding any disciplinary or grievance for you. A qualified advisor will advise on the arrangement and conduct of meetings and assist in the preparation of any necessary correspondence. A consultant will visit your site discuss the procedures, supporting you throughout and if requested conduct the meeting in person. In addition they will undertake any necessary investigations, and provide accurate and suitable written outcomes. The advantages to this are twofold; the consultant is independent and free from bias or influence and will ensure your working relationship with your employee remains professionally intact and undamaged. It will also ensure your manager’s time is not taken up with or by possible lengthy investigations allowing them to get on with their primary task – managing your business.
If a grievance is ever raised in the workplace it needs to be dealt with swiftly and efficiently to ensure the situation does not unnecessarily escalate. Following proper acknowledged grievance procedures will ensure a fair course of action is followed reducing the potential for any subsequent tribunal hearing or claim for damages. Employment tribunals can be both costly and damaging to your business. Although their outcome cannot be predicted it is critical for small to medium sized businesses do everything they can to manage the outcome, to demonstrate that they have followed proper procedure and managed the situation in line with accepted practice. By engaging with People People HR we will ensure you have the right processes in place to ensure there is minimal exposure of risk of prosecution to your business.
