Discipline and Grievance Issues

Objectives
Manage the discipline and grievance process. Comply with the legal requirements associated with the discipline and grievance process. Plan and conduct disciplinary interviews. Make a considered assessment. Recognise the employee's rights in grievance issues.

Course Content
Definitions:
the discipline and grievance procedure
whose responsibility is it to enforce policy? reasons for consistency.

Legislation:
understanding legislation
the role of ACAS
employee rights
industrial tribunals.

Disciplinary Issues:
management responsibilities
rules and procedures
stages in the process
misconduct/incapability
fair dismissal, constructive and unfair dismissal
obstacles.

Questioning Techniques:
overview
open, probing and closed questions
summarising.

Communication Skills:
verbal and nonverbal behaviour
active listening
objectivity
clarity and brevity.

Planning the Interview:
approach
preparation
structure
criteria
focusing on relevant information
uncovering evidence.

The Interview:
opening the interview
creating the right atmosphere
clarification of background data
probing techniques
listening skills
controlling
gathering information
flow of information
gathering evidence for all criteria
recording the information.

The Assessment:
the evidence
information reported
information observed
validity
removing personal bias
clear reporting of relevant evidence for each area
the involvement between management and HR for necessary action
the use of counselling.

The Grievance Procedure:
the rights of the employee
the company policy guidelines
legal implications
Industrial Tribunals - procedures and format.

Action Plan:
participants plan and discuss what they will do on return to work.