Disciplining for misconduct guidance notes

WHAT CONSTITUTES MISCONDUCT?

Misconduct could cover any of the following:

• an infringement of an employer's disciplinary standards e.g. fighting, theft, lateness, rudeness or gross insubordination
• the commission of a criminal offence outside the place of work, or
• any other conduct, which by the company's rules or by general standards falls short of what may reasonably be expected.

Gross misconduct represents a very serious breach of the employee's contract of employment. Examples of gross misconduct are usually listed in the contract of employment or disciplinary procedure and may include harassment, breach of confidentiality or theft.