Grievances and disciplinary procedures

Raising a grievance

If you have a problem at work, try to resolve it informally first. If that does not work, put your grievance in writing to your employer. Your employer should arrange a meeting, let you explain, and give you a written decision with a right of appeal.

Disciplinary procedures

A fair disciplinary process should follow the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures. You should be:

• told in writing what you are accused of, with the evidence;
• invited to a meeting, with reasonable notice;
• allowed to put your side of the story;
• told the outcome in writing, with a right of appeal.

Your right to be accompanied

You have a legal right to be accompanied at formal grievance and disciplinary meetings by a work colleague or a trade union representative. (As the Guild is not a trade union, Guild representatives do not have a statutory right to accompany you, but your employer may agree to it.)

Employment tribunals can increase or reduce compensation by up to 25% if either side unreasonably fails to follow the ACAS Code.

General information only — not legal advice.