LC Agency Disciplinary Procedures and Guidelines for Employees
Introduction
LC Agency is committed to fostering a productive and respectful work environment. These procedures and guidelines apply to all office and remote workers and are based on the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.
General Principles
1. Fairness and Transparency:
- All disciplinary actions will be conducted fairly and transparently.
- Employees will be informed of the complaints against them and given the opportunity to respond.
2. Confidentiality:
- All disciplinary matters will be handled confidentially.
3. Consistency:
- Disciplinary procedures will be applied consistently across the company.
Disciplinary Procedures
1. Informal Resolution:
- Initial Discussion: Minor issues will be addressed through informal discussions between the employee and their manager.
- Action Plan: An action plan may be agreed upon to improve performance or behaviour.
2. Formal Procedure:
If informal resolution is not effective or the issue is serious, the formal procedure will be initiated.
Step 1: Investigation
- Objective: To gather facts and evidence regarding the alleged misconduct or performance issue.
- Investigator: HR Professional, LC Manager or An Impartial Investigator will be appointed.
- Outcome: A report will be prepared outlining the findings.
Step 2: Hearing
- Notification: The employee will be notified in writing of the hearing details, including the allegations, evidence, and their right to be accompanied by a colleague or union representative.
- Hearing: The hearing will be conducted by a manager who was not involved in the investigation.
- Decision: The decision will be communicated in writing, detailing any disciplinary action and the reasons for it.
Step 3: Disciplinary Action
Depending on the severity of the issue, disciplinary actions may include:
- Verbal Warning: For minor misconduct or performance issues.
- Written Warning: For repeated or more serious issues.
- Final Written Warning: For further misconduct or serious issues.
- Dismissal: For gross misconduct or failure to improve following previous warnings.
3. Appeals
- Right to Appeal: Employees have the right to appeal any disciplinary decision.
- Process: The appeal must be submitted in writing within five working days of the decision.
- Hearing: An appeal hearing will be arranged, and the decision will be reviewed by a manager not previously involved in the case.
- Outcome: The appeal decision will be final and communicated in writing.
Guidelines for Employees
1. Expected Conduct:
- Professionalism: Maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity.
- Punctuality: Adhere to agreed working hours and deadlines.
- Respect: Treat colleagues, clients, and partners with respect and courtesy.
2. Confidentiality:
- Data Protection: Comply with data protection laws and company policies.
- Information Security: Keep all company information secure and confidential.
3. Conflict of Interest:
- Disclosure: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest to your manager.
- Avoidance: Avoid any activities that could conflict with the interests of the company.
4. Health and Safety:
- Compliance: Follow health and safety guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.
- Reporting: Report any health and safety concerns to your manager immediately.
Training and Development
LC Agency is committed to supporting the professional development of its employees. Online and in-person training opportunities and resources will be provided to help employees improve their skills and performance.
Conclusion
Adherence to these disciplinary procedures and guidelines ensures a fair, consistent, and supportive working environment at LC Agency. Non-compliance with these standards may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal. LC Agency reserves the right to review and amend this policy with acceptable notice.