Disciplinary and Dismissal Policy
Disciplinary and Dismissal Policy
The Professional Associations/Trade Unions have been consulted on this policy.
Contents
2.2. Examples of gross misconduct 3
3. Safeguarding and child protection allegations 4
5. Informal process and Management Advice. 4
6.4. Invite to formal hearing. 6
6.5. Right to be accompanied. 6
7.3. Dismissal (including summary dismissal for gross misconduct) 8
10. Disciplinary action involving a trade union representative. 9
1. Introduction
The aims of this Disciplinary Policy are to:
set out the standards of conduct expected of all staff
ensure consistent and fair treatment for all
ensure that any disciplinary matter is dealt with fairly and in a timely manner.
The policy and procedure applies to all employees except for non-teaching employees within their probationary period who are regulated by Summercroft’s probationary policy. It does not apply to agency workers, consultants or self-employed contractors.
This policy and procedure does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and it may be amended at any time
Where appropriate, actions taken by employees outside working hours may also fall within the scope of this policy.
2. Disciplinary rules
It is accepted that to differentiate between misconduct and gross is difficult, therefore each case must be treated on its own merits. Since the examples are guidelines, discretion will have to be exercised by the school in categorising breaches of discipline, having regard to all the circumstances under which the breach of discipline occurred.
2.1 Examples of misconduct
The following non-exhaustive list provides examples of matters that will usually be regarded as misconduct:
minor breaches of policies
poor timekeeping
work not of the required standard (where capability is not in question)
disruptive behaviour
time wasting
refusal to follow instructions
inappropriate or offensive behaviour for example foul or abusive language
minor damage to, or unauthorised use of, School property/facilities
negligence in the performance of duties.
2.2 Examples of gross misconduct
Gross misconduct is a more serious act of behaviour that irreparably undermines the implied duty of School and confidence with the School or prejudices its reputation or business. The following non-exhaustive list provides examples of matters that will usually be regarded as gross misconduct:
theft or fraud
falsification of any School records
violent or threatening behaviour
serious damage or misuse of School property/premises
wilful or persistent refusal to carry out a management instruction or any act of serious insubordination
criminal offences or conduct, including those committed outside the workplace, which impact on the employee’s ability or suitability to do their job
serious failure to follow child protection procedures
gross negligence
dishonesty involving anything that relates to life in a school
covertly recording hearings, meetings or colleagues
harassment, bullying or discrimination against any other person
unauthorised absence from the workplace
serious breach of School and confidence
serious breach of health and safety procedures or regulations
smoking on School premises
being under the influence of alcohol or drugs on School premises or at a school event
failure to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with any pupil
behaviour prejudicial to the good name or interests of the School or which may bring the School into disrepute
breach of confidentiality or failure to ensure that confidential information is kept secure
inappropriate use of Summercroft’s Information Technology including email or internet abuse or and accessing sites containing pornographic, offensive or obscene material.
inappropriate use of social media
3. Safeguarding and child protection allegations
If the allegation is that the employee has:
behaved in a way that has, or may have, harmed a child
possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
behaved towards a child in a way that indicates that he/she is unsuitable to work with children
The School will give reasonable consideration, before taking any action, to making a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer and whether there is an obligation, statutory or otherwise, to make an appropriate disclosure to any relevant bodies.
4. Financial irregularity
The Academies Financial Handbook confirms Schools must notify the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) of any instances of fraud, theft and/or irregularity exceeding £5,000 individually, or £5,000 cumulatively in an academy’s financial year.
5. Informal process and Management Advice
It may be appropriate for minor conduct issues to be dealt with informally through management discussion rather than a formal process.
Where improvement is required, Management Advice clarifying the expectations of the School may be issued.
Expectations of the employee will be set out in writing and a copy will be given to the employee and placed on their personnel file. This informal management instruction does not constitute a formal warning but may be referred to as part of any further disciplinary proceedings.
Formal steps will be taken under this policy if the matter is not resolved informally or an informal approach is not appropriate.
6. Formal process
6.1 Suspension
There may be instances where suspension with pay is necessary whilst investigations are carried out.
Where possible, a meeting will be held with the employee at which the allegations and reasons for considering suspension will be discussed. The School will consider reasonable requests from an employee to be accompanied by a trade union official or work colleague where this does not unreasonably delay the process.
The School will consider reasonable alternatives to suspension where they exist. If suspension is deemed necessary then this does not imply that a decision about the veracity of the allegations has been made and the period of suspension will not be considered as disciplinary action.
Suspension will be reviewed periodically to consider whether circumstances surrounding the suspension have changed.
During suspension a named contact will be assigned to keep in touch with the employee
Where the employee is remanded in custody, the School will consider whether it is appropriate for the period of suspension to be unpaid.
6.2 Investigation
No disciplinary action or sanction will be applied until the allegations have been investigated.
Unless otherwise impracticable, different individuals will carry out the investigation and disciplinary hearing.
An investigation may consist of the gathering of evidence or investigation interview with the employee or witnesses as the case requires.
Investigation interviews are solely for the purpose of fact-finding and the employee will be informed at the outset that the meeting is an investigation interview.
There is no statutory right for an employee to be accompanied at a formal investigatory meeting. The School will consider reasonable requests from an employee to be accompanied where they would be unable to reasonably participate otherwise. The companion is limited to those persons outlined in paragraph 6.5.
The employee will be informed as soon as possible as to the conclusion of the investigation and its outcome.
If the allegation is without foundation, no further formal action will be taken and the employee will be informed of this in writing
6.3 Pre-agreement
It is perfectly acceptable for an agreement to be arrived at prior to the hearing between both parties in circumstances where the facts are not in dispute and both parties agree on the sanction.
A formal meeting should be held to discuss the key findings of the investigation and issue the pre-agreed sanction.
An employee will be given the right of appeal against any pre-agreed sanction.
This approach will not apply where the allegation concerns the safeguarding and protection of children, where the harm threshold has or may have been met or where allegations relate to criminal activity or fraud.
It is not appropriate to dismiss an employee by means of pre-agreement.
There will be a right to revert to the procedure outlined within this disciplinary at any point prior to the formal pre-agreement meeting taking place.
6.4 Invite to formal hearing
If it is decided that there is a disciplinary case to answer the School will invite the employee to a formal disciplinary hearing.
The employee will receive at least five working days’ notice of the hearing in writing.
Notification will include details of the allegations, possible consequences and sufficient information to enable the employee to answer the case at the formal hearing. This will include any evidence the employer proposes to use in the formal hearing.
6.5 Right to be accompanied
The employee has the right to be accompanied and supported at a formal hearing by a trade union representative or work colleague.
The employee should provide the name of their representative within 2 working days of the hearing. Where the chosen companion is unavailable on the day scheduled for the hearing, the employee may request that the hearing be rescheduled to an alternative time that is reasonable and within 5 working days of the scheduled date.
If the employee is unable to attend a hearing within 5 working days the hearing may take place in a timeframe at Summercroft’s discretion. If the representative remains unavailable, the employee may be asked to choose another representative.
During the hearing the companion may address the hearing to put the employee's case forward and confer with the employee however they may not answer questions on the employee's behalf or address the hearing if the employee indicates they do not wish this.
6.6 Disciplinary panel
The individual responsible for the disciplinary investigation will not be a member of the panel.
Where dismissal is not a possibility a panel may reasonably consist of one appropriate individual.
Where dismissal is a possible outcome, a panel of three appropriate individuals will normally hear the case. Where this is impracticable, or would cause unreasonable delays, a panel of two individuals may hear the allegations.
6.7 Formal hearing
The employee (and their companion) must make every effort to attend the hearing. If the employee fails to attend the hearing without good reason, or is persistently unavailable, the School may make a decision in their absence based on the evidence available.
A Human Resources advisor may attend the disciplinary panel to provide professional support and advice to the panel. This advisor will not be a decision maker in this process.
A note taker may be present at the hearing. They will make a record of the hearing, but not of the confidential deliberations of the panel. The employee will receive a copy of these notes with the formal outcome letter unless otherwise impracticable.
The School does not allow the audio recording of disciplinary hearings unless there are pre-agreed exceptional circumstances. Covert recording is considered gross misconduct.
At the hearing the employee will be entitled to:
a full explanation of the case against them
set out their case and respond to any allegations
ask questions, present evidence and call relevant witnesses
raise points about any information provided by witnesses.
Any witness to be called at a hearing must have submitted a written statement of their knowledge of the case at least 3 working days in advance of the hearing. These statements will be shared with the all relevant parties without delay.
The Disciplinary Panel may adjourn the hearing if it is necessary to do so. The employee will be informed of the likely period of any adjournment.
The panel will convey the decision to the employee, in writing, within 7 calendar days or as soon as is reasonably practicable. The employee will be notified of their right of appeal under this policy.
7. Disciplinary action
Where, following a disciplinary hearing, the panel reasonably believes that the employee has committed a disciplinary offence, the following disciplinary action may be taken:
7.1 First written warning
Where misconduct has occurred and informal discussions have not led to sufficient improvement or are not considered appropriate, a formal written warning may be issued.
A written warning will remain active for a period of 12 months, unless the employee is notified to the contrary, and will be recorded on the employee’s personnel file.
After the expiry of the warning period, the warning will remain permanently on the personnel file but will be disregarded in deciding the outcome of future disciplinary proceedings.
The employee will need to be at work throughout the relevant warning period. If they should be absent from work for any reason the School reserves the right to extend the period of warning at their discretion.
7.2 Final written warning
If an employee’s misconduct is sufficiently serious, or if there are existing live warnings, it may be appropriate to move directly to a final written warning.
A final written warning will normally remain active for a period of 12 months or in exceptional circumstances up to 24 months.
After the expiry of the warning period the warning will remain permanently on the personnel file but will be disregarded in deciding the outcome of future disciplinary proceedings.
The employee will need to be at work throughout the relevant warning period. If they should be absent from work for any reason the School reserves the right to extend the period of warning at their discretion.
7.3 Dismissal (including summary dismissal for gross misconduct)
Where the employee has committed further acts of misconduct during the life of a final written warning the School may elect to dismiss with notice or payment in lieu of notice.
Where the employee has committed an act of gross misconduct, the employee may be summarily dismissed without notice, regardless of whether there are live previous warnings on file.
Where the allegations relate to safeguarding or child protection issues the School will consider whether it is appropriate to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
If a Teacher is summarily dismissed the School will make a referral to the Teaching Regulation Agency.
8. Right to appeal
Employees have the right of appeal against any disciplinary sanction given at any stage of the formal process.
Any employee who wishes to appeal a sanction should do so in writing within seven calendar days of the receipt of a decision letter to the person named in the letter. The employee’s letter to lodge the appeal should include the grounds for appeal i.e. breach of procedure, severity of disciplinary penalty, against the fact or all of the above reasons.
If the employee is appealing against dismissal, the date on which dismissal takes effect will not be delayed pending the outcome of the appeal. However, if the appeal is successful the employee will be reinstated with no loss of continuity of service or pay or any other detriment.
9. Appeal process
The appeal hearing will take place as soon as is reasonably practicable and without unreasonable delay.
Wherever possible the appeal will be heard by an appropriate individual, or panel of individuals, who have not been involved in the decision to impose a disciplinary sanction.
At the discretion of the School the appeal may be a complete re-hearing of the matter or it may be a review of the fairness of the original decision.
New evidence will only be considered if relevant and there is a good reason why this had not been included as part of the original hearing.
The decision of the appeal panel will be final. It will be confirmed to the employee, in writing, within seven calendar days or as soon as is reasonably practicable.
10. Disciplinary action involving a trade union representative
If the employee is an accredited trade union representative recognised by the School for collective bargaining purposes no action will be taken under this policy, save for of suspending the employee in a case of suspected gross misconduct, until the matter has been discussed (with the employee’s consent) with a full time official of the relevant union.
If consent is withheld the School may continue to apply its policy.
Interpretation
Any reference to a statute, statutory guidance and any other document shall be construed as a reference to that statute as amended or re-enacted and to the current edition or replacement of that statutory guidance or other document.