Employee Disciplinary Procedures – Every business needs to have managers who can handle disciplinary issues in the workplace effectively.
The law requires employers to act reasonably in their discipline of employees and in dealing with grievances. Poorly handled processes can lead to unnecessary and costly Employment Tribunals.
Having adequate and complaint procedures in place can encourage people to observe the rules and maintain workplace standards.
If staff problems are settled early they become less time-consuming, are less likely to damage working relationships, therefore improving staff motivation and productivity.
Ensuring your people know what is expected of them and the rules within which they operate is key to getting the best results from your employees.
Successful businesses know that Employee Disciplinary Procedures are an aid to active management, enabling them to resolve issues quickly and cheaply rather than being used merely as a mechanism for imposing sanctions.
Achieving this focus and helping others in the workplace understand this perspective is very important.
It requires managers to have an excellent working knowledge of discipline and grievance procedures which is essential if potentially disruptive issues are to be resolved in the workplace rather than spilling over into a potentially costly employment tribunal.
Strategic Axis created the Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance, and our training is based on our in-depth knowledge of how the code can be most effectively used in the workplace.
Strategic Axis training represents the perfect opportunity for you or your managers to develop skills and confidence in handling disciplinary and grievance issues and helps ensure that your business has adequate procedures in place.
With case studies and practical exercises, this event will provide delegates with techniques in the handling of disciplinary and grievance meetings, and an in-depth understanding of the legal background which underpins the tribunal process, including the industry, recognized Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance.
This training is approved for HRCI recertification credits.
You might be interested in another HR Programs as a next step.
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO
Our training in this area is designed to provide you with the following:
*a clearer understanding of what discipline and grievance mean and what procedures should look.
*increased knowledge of the law surrounding the handling of Discipline and Grievance in the workplace.
*skills and understanding of how to introduce systems and make them easy to understand.
*examples of how to operate a process, including the right to be accompanied.
*increased confidence that you are following the steps laid out in the Code of Practice.
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION
Certificate
At the end of the course, there will be a multiple-choice exam of straight-forward questions based upon the content covered during the session.
A pass mark of 50%, in addition to a perfect attendance record and active participation during the course sessions, is required to be awarded the Certificate of Completion from Strategic Axis.
This course is also approved for HRCI recertification credits.
COURSE OUTLINE
The Code of disciplinary and grievance procedures; how to use it
Resolving issues informally and when formal action is necessary
The setting of clear rules and how to communicate them
The importance of record keeping
Holding a disciplinary or grievance meeting – and how to conduct it
Deciding when an internal investigation is necessary and what it should consist of
Taking appropriate action and the proper use of penalties and sanctions
Dealing with appeals
The Code of disciplinary and grievance procedures; how to use it
Resolving issues informally and when formal action is necessary
The setting of clear rules and how to communicate them
The importance of record keeping
Holding a disciplinary or grievance meeting – and how to conduct it
Deciding when an internal investigation is necessary and what it should consist of
Taking appropriate action and the proper use of penalties and sanctions
Dealing with appeals
Module 2: Managing extreme persistent and difficult workplace behaviors
Understanding extreme difficult behavior (EDB)
Understanding how staff develop into an EDB
Identifying the “Predator from the Prey”
Awareness of difficult personality types
Dealing with stress and its effect on performance
Sexual harassment
Module 3: Conducting Investigations
The legal background and burdens of proof
Purpose and stages of disciplinary procedures
The responsibilities of the employer
The rights of the employee
The steps of an investigation
Listening and questioning techniques
The role of suspension
Case for dismissal
Writing the report and presenting findings
Module 4: Absence Management and Return to Work Interviews
Absenteeism – what it is and what causes it
How to identify patterns of short-term absence
The benefits of absence policy and early intervention
Essential skills; consistency, communication, and fairness
Statement of Fitness for Work (the fit note)
The legal landscape; maternity, disability discrimination, and reasonable adjustments
Return to work interviews; how to plan, prepare and conduct the interview and agree on further action
Short-term sickness absence trigger points
How to manage long-term absence
Recognising potential stress and mental health issues
Discipline and dismissal
Module 5: Behaviors at work – understanding the unacceptable
Understanding what constitutes inappropriate workplace behaviors
Current legislation in this area
Definitions of inappropriate behaviors, in particular, bullying and harassment.
Recognising the effects of bullying and harassment on staff and the organization
What victims can do when subjected to bullying and harassment.
