Conducting an appeal checklist

1. Read the disciplinary procedure carefully. Appeals should deal with situations where the employee has been dismissed or another disciplinary sanction has been imposed.

2. Check on what grounds the employee is appealing. Has the employee introduced a new grievance i.e. is the employee complaining that the decision to impose the disciplinary sanction was discriminatory? If the grievance and disciplinary cases are related it may be appropriate to deal with both issues concurrently during the appeal. Alternatively it may necessary to temporarily suspend the disciplinary process and carry out an investigation into the employee’s grievance first.

3. Read all the relevant documentation, including the investigation report, witness statements and minutes of the disciplinary meeting. Record that you have done so.

4. Ascertain whether those who conducted the preliminary investigations and disciplinary meeting have followed the company’s procedure.