Employees often help themselves to their employer’s stock, particularly items of low value. But, as a recent case shows, you don’t have to prove such misconduct “beyond all reasonable doubt”. So what
are you required to do?
Published 17.12.2012
An employee who was sacked for “stealing” a sausage roll has won her claim for unfair dismissal and been awarded £3,000. This included a 25% uplift for failure to follow the Acas Code. Where did the
employer go wrong?
Published 13.10.2020
A former employee whose dismissal for gross misconduct was found to be fair by the tribunal has still been awarded more than £16,000 in compensation. Why was he handed this amount of cash if there
was no unfair dismissal?
Published 22.12.2020
As you know, any investigation carried out prior to a dismissal must be “reasonable in the circumstances”. But in practice what exactly does this mean, particularly if evidence of guilt is strong?
What does a recent EAT case say?
Published 03.05.2007
You firmly believe that a pregnant employee has committed an act of gross misconduct. But she says that her condition prevents you from doing anything about it. If you do she’ll claim sex
discrimination. Would she be onto a winner?
Published 22.09.2010
It’s taken you six months to carry out an investigation into an allegation of misconduct and arrange a disciplinary hearing. The employee says that this renders the entire process “unfair”. Is this
correct?
Published 18.11.2011
In a 2021 case, the employer dismissed an employee after he was seen at a social club smoking during a period of sickness absence. The tribunal has now ruled that this was an unfair dismissal. Why?
Published 01.07.2021
An employee who was dismissed after the police charged him with possessing indecent images has won his claim for unfair dismissal. What mustn’t you do when an employee is facing criminal charges?
Published 29.11.2019
When an employee gave out homegrown tomato plants to all but one colleague, he was accused of favouritism and subsequently sacked. The tribunal has now held that it was an unfair dismissal. Why?
Published 20.11.2014
The tribunal has ruled that a former Oxford University employee - who was sacked over twelve allegations of gross misconduct - was unfairly dismissed. Where did this particular employer go wrong?
Published 24.02.2015