Situations inevitably arise when an employer needs to take disciplinary action against an employee. When they do, it is vital, both from the point of view of efficient management as well because it is a requirement of the law, that businesses have written disciplinary procedures and that the employees and managers are aware of them and know how, and when, to follow them when problems arise. Here we will look specifically as issues relating to those disciplinary procedures and how they affect the employer/employee relationship.

It is almost certain that in any business, no matter how well run it is, there will be a need for the employer to take disciplinary procedures against an employee or a need for an employee to complain about some aspect of his or her employment. For this reason, if no other, it is vital that businesses have written disciplinary and grievance procedures, that the employees and managers are aware of and that these procedures are followed when problems arise.