Disciplinary & Grievance Solicitors for Employers

Mishandling a disciplinary or grievance process can lead to costly unfair dismissal claims. Our specialist solicitors help employers manage workplace misconduct, complex investigations, and staff conflict. We provide clear, robust legal representation to ensure your internal processes are legally watertight.

Supporting Employers with Disciplinary and Grievance Issues

Whether an employee has made a complaint or is underperforming in their role, internal procedures should follow the Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code in order to protect and safeguard your business. The Acas Code provides practical guidance for employers and employees, and Employment Tribunals must take the Acas code into account when considering if an employee acted reasonably.

By understanding your challenges, we can identify the correct procedures and the most appropriate course of action, reducing the likelihood of costly claims and disruption to your business.

The ideal scenario is to resolve any issues quickly and fairly before they become major problems, but our team of experienced employment lawyers are here to support you at any stage of the process, from drafting company policies and procedures to more complex investigations and defending a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

A grievance procedure will highlight the most appropriate course of action for dealing with employees’ concerns relating to their work, working conditions or relationships with colleagues.

A disciplinary procedure will highlight the most appropriate course of action for dealing with any issues relating to an employee’s performance or conduct, as well as how to encourage improvement where required.

How can Loch help

Whatever requirements you may have, our team of expert employment lawyers will work with you to provide a range of pragmatic solutions, including:

Developing and implementing procedures relating to disciplinary and grievance matters.
Ensuring that the relevant processes are carried out in accordance with Acas guidelines.
Strategic planning in order to manage and minimise the risk of claims.
Conducting investigations. Any internal investigation should be unbiased, fair and reasonable, and a third party is often best-placed to collect this evidence. Interviews tend to be an essential part of the process, enabling all parties to give their view on the situation. This can help determine the exact cause of any issues – for example, whether underperformance issues relate to an illness, and whether performance management is a more appropriate course of action.
Managing and conducting meetings in relation to all parts of the process.

As well as priming your organisation to use disciplinary and grievance procedures with confidence, Loch can help to manage situations which are already underway, ensuring that you secure the best possible outcome as swiftly as possible.

Common disciplinary and grievance issues

Unfamiliarity with the correct procedure. Employers may be unfamiliar with the correct disciplinary and/or grievance process, or may need assistance in drafting company policies and procedures.

Resultant disputes or claims. These may be brought by an employee when a disciplinary and/or grievance procedure has been improperly followed, and an employee is challenging the decision – e.g. if the employee was not provided with the opportunity to be accompanied to a disciplinary meeting.

Staff raising grievances tactically. Staff may raise a grievance as a means of countering criticism of their performance.

Testimonials

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The expertise of Loch made me feel in very safe hands. Caroline was thorough in explaining the legal situation, giving clear advice and was committed to getting me a fair outcome

Senior Professional

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I am highly appreciative of the advice and work I received from Loch.

They assisted me with drafting complex supplier contracts and templates for my business and I cannot praise them enough. The work was thorough and their attention to detail showed they had taken time to really understand what was needed, suggesting ways to adapt them as necessary for our business.

All communications, including from the support team were clear and timely. It was interesting to hear they offer a retainer service, which means Loch can effectively work as the Company’s in-house counsel too, which is a useful service for a business of our size.

Thank you again!

Simon Adby, Nice Work

Four professionals standing and in discussion around a table

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With his first-hand experience in dealing with all kinds of medical emergencies; Bruce is not only able to provide us with the latest guidelines and techniques but also the kind of personal support you need when facing the stressful situation of how you will react during a medical emergency.

Pieter, Dentist

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Your approach is one of collaboration, taking your time to understand the issues, and our position, and then working proactively with us in a practical manner.

FD, Architecture Firm