Conduct & disciplinary
Following a fair process under the Acas Code of Practice.
Updated June 2026 · general information, not legal advice
A fair process
- For formal disciplinary or grievance matters, follow the Acas Code of Practice: investigate properly, put concerns in writing, hold a meeting, and decide on the evidence.
- Let the employee be accompanied at formal hearings, and give them the right to appeal a decision.
Keeping records
- Record what happened, what was decided, and when. Warnings usually 'live' for a set period — record an expiry date so spent warnings aren't relied on later.
- A clear, contemporaneous record protects both the employee and the business if a decision is challenged.