Disciplinary Meeting

[logongra]

Recently I’ve not had the best of times in my work by my own admission, I’ve not performed that well in two projects and I also missed a target which wasn’t entirely my fault but it looked that way.

My manager arranged a meeting which she and an HR girl attended. I was told that I could have a representative in attendance but I didn’t feel that was necessary so I didn’t and it wasn't a problem.

At the meeting the incidents were discussed and then my manager informed that me that she would meet with the HR girl and discuss the available options which could include advisory or possibly disciplinary action.

My manager has now informed me that I will need to attend a further meeting which will be attended by the HR girl and a secretary to minute the meeting and I can also have a representative in attendance.

Does this sound like at the meeting with HR she has been advised to discipline me? If so what happens at a disciplinary meeting?

[kirstybeebee]

Yes it does sound like your manager is going to discipline you. From what you describe, you may just receive a warning. I doubt it will be anything more serious this time.

[mikey4444]

I would urge you t take someone with you. Union official would be ideal, if you are a Union member.

[choux]

This might help advise you a little:
http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/f/m/Acas-Code-of-Practice-1-on-disciplinary-and-grievance-procedures.pdf

[Hymie]

If it was me, I’d have a small MP3 recorder in my pocket to covertly record the proceedings – just in case at some later date there is a dispute as to what was said.

[Maydup]

If this is a Disciplinary Meeting you should have a letter setting out the grounds and the possible consequences. If you don't have that ask for it. Ask calmly and just explain that your not 100% clear what the meeting is for or the status of the meeting. If you are not given a full explanation or clarification of the consequences, phone ACAS for advice. Its free and sounds like you need them.

[Maydup]

ACAS contact details here

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461&frommobile=true

[logongra]

Thanks for all of your comments. I have now received a further communication from my manager and she has told me that she set up the original meeting intending it just to be advisory and to assist me with working on future projects, she said that she had asked HR to attend as she thought it was best to inform them and felt they may be able to assist with an improvement plan.

However she says that after later meeting with the HR girl who attended, and taking her advice on board, she is now considering disciplining me for poor performance. She’s told me that a secretary will attend the upcoming meeting to minute everything, the HR girl will also attend to explain the reasons why formal discipline is being considered.

It would be the first time I’ve been disciplined and as my manager was originally just looking at this being an advisory procedure, I’m hopeful that it will not be too serious on this occasion. Though it does seem a bit harsh to me that my manager only intended to advise me but she is now looking at formally disciplining me on the HR girl’s advice.

I just wondered that if I am disciplined and I don’t agree with the reasons or I think they are unfair, do I have any right of appeal or do I just have to accept it?

[Maydup]

Yes you will have a right to appeal.

Be calm and considerate at the meeting if you can and avoid agressive defensive response. Explain your side of the story and any reason for you not having met the targets. Has the work load been too much? Problems outside of work? Lack of resources in any way?

The manager and HR person should take time to consider these issues and make their decision. You will be entitled to a written outcome. If that is a written warning and you feel it was probably just, then accept it. If it is more serious and your reasons were not considered then appeal. The appeal process must be explained to you by law.

[logongra]

Thank you Maydup for your comments and advice. I'm confident that I will be able to keep calm, I'm not an aggressive person even if I am provoked. I don't have any issues outside of work that would have influenced my performance.

It was the first time that I have worked on the type of project, they did turn out more complex than I had anticipated and some of the issues I had weren't entirely my fault though it appeared that way.

I feel that I really needed some extra support, I did explain this at the previous meeting but they stated that I should have requested this. With hindsight I'll admit that it was down to me to ask. The next meeting is on Friday, I'll let you know how I get on.

[logongra]

Hymie, that's a clever suggestion about having a pocket mp3 recorder, no one would be wise to it!

[Islay]

I may be wrong but I think you have to declare that you are recording the interview.

[logongra]

You may be correct Islay, I believe that recording phone calls has to be declared so meetings is probably the same.

[tonyav]

This is what ACAS say.
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4310

[DTCwordfan]

surreptitious recordings carry much weaker weight in law...period.

However, it sounds like you have a reasonable balance on this, couch the call for extra support as 'the learning lesson that I have had' - that weakens the Human Remains....

[logongra]

Interesting information there Tonyav.

[Islay]

It is an interesting article but do you really wish to get your managers goat up? Tell her you are recording this so that you can listen back and seek clarification on anything you are unsure of, also to ensure that the minutes are recorded correctly.

[logongra]

No I certainly don't want to do anything that could make my situation worse. If I am disciplined, it will be my first so hopefully not too serious.

[logongra]

I have now attended a further meeting with my manager and HR, we did again go over the issues of not achieving targets and the reasons I had given for not managing to achieve my targets as well as the actions that could have been taken. The meeting was then adjourned for my manager and the HR girl to discuss the issues and decide on an outcome.

My manager called me in later to inform me that after discussing the issues with the HR girl and considering the advice she had given, my manager informed me that she has taken the decision to discipline me for poor performance. She told me I will be receiving a written warning though I will be given ample opportunity to show improvement before any further disciplinary action is considered.

There will be a further meeting which will be attended by HR and a secretary to minute the meeting. I can also have my representative present. The HR girl will explain the procedures, my manager said that she will then discipline me and I will receive a written communication. I will have the right to appeal, which the HR girl will explain.

I am disappointed that it has been decided to discipline me, as feel that more of an encouraging approach like my manager first intended could have been taken rather than going through a formal discipline procedure. However, at the moment I am not thinking of appealing as I feel confident that I will be able to show considerable improvement in future projects. I feel that I have already learned from the issues that went wrong on the previous projects and I’m now much more aware of what I will need to do if issues arise in future projects.

I’m just thinking that I am best off putting this behind me and moving on and showing what I am capable of in the next projects. Do you think I should just accept this outcome and put it behind me?

[gb60mail]

Unless you have any other information which you haven't already mentioned, I would say accept it and do your very best to show some good improvement.

You have mentioned the HR representative on a number of occasions and referred to her as the "HR girl". From that I would assume that she was quite young, probably a lot younger than you. From what you say, she seems to have had a strong influence on your managers decision to discipline you.

Are you resenting her for this? If so, whilst I can appreciate that it may be difficult to not to feel some resentment to a young female member of staff being able to have such an influence, I believe it is part of an HR advisers job role, so you do need to accept that.

[Zacs-Master]

If you think you've been disciplined unfairly then you can appeal against a disciplinary decision on both conduct and performance matters, but must do so in writing. They need to set out grounds for appeal within five working days.
You admit in your OP that you didn't perform well, so I'd bear that in mind. You obviously thought such action was imminent or you wouldn't have asked the question, so be wary and honest with yourself.