Grievances & Disciplinary Barristers

For most of us, our time at work makes up a large proportion of the hours available to us for work, rest and play during a typical week. So we understand how important it is to be happy in your job including being content with the working environment and arrangements. When things go wrong in the workplace it can be upsetting and destabilising. Very often there’s increased anxiety about being at work and worries about the consequences of any disagreement with colleagues.

You might want to raise a grievance due to the treatment you’re receiving in the workplace. Or you might have been told that your employer intends to start disciplinary proceedings against you.

When raising a grievance it is important to do so in an objective fashion – presenting facts supported by evidence to substantiate your assertions.

Similarly, if an employer is taking disciplinary action against you they should follow the Code of Practice as set out by Acas. If they don’t then they could be ordered to pay more in compensation should the case end up in an employment tribunal.

You should receive a formal letter outlining what you have done wrong and be invited to a meeting to discuss the same. Don’t forget that you are entitled to take someone – a friend, colleague, or union representative for example – with you to that meeting for support and perhaps to take notes.

You have the right to appeal the disciplinary and then, depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:

• go to mediation; or
• make a claim to an employment tribunal.

A barrister will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take in your circumstances and represent you in any tribunal.

Remember that in most cases you must make an application to an employment tribunal within three months of the date when the event you are complaining about happened. If your application is received after this time limit, the tribunal will not usually accept it.

3PB’s employment barristers have handled all types of disciplinary and tribunal cases in all tribunals across the UK. Their experience combined with a friendly and professional approach could be the difference between winning and losing your case. Whatever your circumstances our team of advisers will give you a frank assessment of your case and point the way to a resolution so that you can move on with your life.