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The questions business owners ask most, answered.
Straight, plain-English answers to the employee situations owners deal with every day, from an FCIPD specialist. General guidance to point you in the right direction, with a clear next step for your own situation.
Discipline & conduct
Can I dismiss an employee?
In most cases yes, but only for a fair reason and by following a fair process. The legally fair reasons are conduct, cap…
Read the answer →Do I have to follow the ACAS Code of Practice?
The ACAS Code is not legally binding, but employment tribunals take it very seriously. It sets the standard your discipl…
Read the answer →Do I need to investigate before starting a disciplinary?
In almost all cases, yes. You need to establish the facts before taking any formal action or holding a hearing. The only…
Read the answer →Grievances
An employee has raised a grievance. What should I do?
Treat it as a formal process from the moment it arrives, even if your instinct is to explain why the complaint is wrong.…
Read the answer →Can the manager a grievance is about also hear it?
No. The person a grievance is about should not investigate or hear it. You need someone independent and impartial, which…
Read the answer →Sickness & absence
Can I dismiss an employee who is off sick?
Yes, but only on capability grounds, after a fair process, and with the disability question handled carefully. That mean…
Read the answer →How do I manage long-term sickness absence?
Stay in regular, supportive contact and get a proper medical view, usually through an occupational health referral, befo…
Read the answer →Redundancy & exits
How much redundancy pay do I have to give?
Employees with two or more years' service are entitled to statutory redundancy pay, worked out from their age, length of…
Read the answer →What is a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract where an employee agrees to leave on agreed terms and to waive spec…
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