Bringing the company into disrepute is a commonly cited disciplinary allegation in UK workplaces. It appears frequently in employment contracts, staff handbooks and codes of conduct, yet it is not defined in statute. Despite that, it can form the basis of lawful disciplinary action, including dismissal, where the legal test for misconduct is met.
In practical terms, allegations of disrepute usually arise where an employee’s conduct, whether inside or outside the workplace, damages or risks damaging the employer’s reputation, brand, commercial standing or stakeholder trust. This can include social media posts, public misconduct, criminal allegations, discriminatory remarks, or behaviour that undermines stakeholder trust. However, reputational sensitivity alone does not justify dismissal. UK employment law requires a fair reason and a fair procedure, and tribunals will scrutinise both carefully, including whether the decision fell within the range of reasonable responses open to a reasonable employer.
For employers, this is a high-risk area. Overreaction can result in unfair dismissal claims. Underreaction can expose the business to regulatory scrutiny, customer loss or brand damage. The legal position therefore demands proportionality, consistency and procedural compliance.
What this article is about: This guide provides a compliance-first analysis of “bringing the company into disrepute” under UK employment law. It explains the legal meaning of the term, how tribunals assess reputational misconduct, when it may amount to gross misconduct, relevant case law, ACAS requirements, and whether an employee can lawfully be dismissed for bringing the company name into disrepute. It also sets out practical risk-management guidance for employers, with the focus on fair processes and defensible outcomes if the matter proceeds to an employment tribunal.
Section A: Bringing the Company into Disrepute Meaning (UK)
Allegations of bringing the company into disrepute often sound straightforward, but in legal terms they require careful analysis. The phrase has no statutory definition under UK employment law. Its meaning is derived from contractual wording, workplace policies and case law principles governing misconduct at work dismissals under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Tribunals assess fairness on the information available to the employer at the time of dismissal, not with hindsight.
1. What does bringing the company into disrepute mean?
In employment law terms, bringing the company into disrepute refers to conduct by an employee that damages, or is likely to damage, the employer’s reputation, brand, commercial standing or stakeholder trust.
The key elements are:
- a link between the employee’s conduct and the employer
- a reputational impact, or a real risk of reputational impact
- conduct serious enough to justify disciplinary intervention
Reputational harm does not need to translate into immediate financial loss. It may arise from public criticism, media exposure, regulatory concern, client complaints or damage to internal trust. However, tribunals will expect the employer to identify a rational and evidence-based connection between the conduct and the alleged reputational risk.
Not every unpopular or controversial act amounts to disrepute. Employers must distinguish between genuine reputational misconduct and behaviour that is merely embarrassing, private or unrelated to the organisation.
2. Is bringing the company name into disrepute defined in UK law?
The phrase “bringing the company name into disrepute” does not appear in the Employment Rights Act 1996 or other employment statutes. It is typically found in employment contracts, staff handbooks, disciplinary procedures, codes of conduct and social media at work policies.
Legally, an allegation of disrepute is treated as a conduct issue under section 98(2)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. If dismissal follows, the tribunal will assess fairness under section 98(4), applying established case law principles. Two core tests are central.
First, the Burchell principles require that:
- the employer believed the employee was guilty of misconduct
- the employer had reasonable grounds for that belief
- the employer carried out as much investigation as was reasonable in the circumstances
Second, the range of reasonable responses test requires the tribunal to decide whether dismissal fell within the band of reasonable responses open to a reasonable employer in the circumstances. Tribunals must not substitute their own view for that of the employer.
For practical handling, these principles sit alongside having a clear disciplinary procedure and properly drafted implied terms of employment, including the implied term of mutual trust and confidence.
3. Does the employer need proof of actual reputational damage?
No. UK law does not require proof of measurable or quantifiable harm. Employers do not need to prove reputational damage to a criminal standard, or even demonstrate immediate financial loss.
However, the employer must be able to demonstrate:
- a genuine belief that misconduct occurred
- reasonable grounds for that belief
- a reasonable investigation
- a rational link between the conduct and reputational risk
A bare assertion that “this could damage our reputation” is unlikely to be enough. The employer should identify the specific reputational concern and gather supporting material. For example:
- has a client complained?
- has the issue attracted media attention?
- does the conduct conflict with regulatory expectations?
- is the employee in a senior or public-facing role?
Tribunals will examine proportionality. The more senior or visible the employee, the more readily reputational risk may justify serious disciplinary action. Conversely, where the conduct is private and disconnected from the employer, dismissal is more likely to be unfair.
Section A Summary: “Bringing the company into disrepute” is not a statutory concept but a contractual and policy-based misconduct allegation. In UK law it falls within conduct dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Employers do not need to prove actual damage, but they must establish a reasonable belief, supported by evidence, that the employee’s conduct caused or posed a genuine risk of reputational harm. The ultimate question for a tribunal is whether the employer’s decision fell within the range of reasonable responses.
Section B: Bringing the Company into Disrepute Examples
Allegations of bringing the company into disrepute frequently arise in situations where an employee’s conduct becomes public, controversial or incompatible with the organisation’s values. Each case turns on its facts, and tribunals will examine the context carefully. The decisive issue is whether there is a sufficient and rational connection between the conduct and reputational risk to the employer.
Below are common examples that have been considered by tribunals.
1. Inappropriate social media activity
Social media remains one of the most common sources of disrepute allegations. Employers should expect reputational issues to be assessed against their published standards, including any social media at work policy and wider conduct rules.
Examples include:
- offensive or discriminatory posts where the employee is identifiable as working for the employer
- public criticism of the employer or its management
- posting abusive comments about customers or colleagues
- sharing confidential or commercially sensitive information
A frequently cited case is Preece v JD Wetherspoons plc (2011 ET). The claimant, a pub manager, posted derogatory comments about customers on Facebook during her shift. Although she believed her privacy settings limited visibility, the comments were seen and a complaint followed. The tribunal held the dismissal was fair. The employer had a clear social media policy and the decision fell within the range of reasonable responses.
Similarly, in Crisp v Apple Retail (UK) Ltd (2011 ET), dismissal for critical Facebook comments about Apple products was held to be fair. Apple had detailed brand and social media policies, and the employee’s conduct was considered inconsistent with the company’s reputation-focused culture.
These cases illustrate that where a clear policy exists and the employer can demonstrate reputational risk, dismissal may be lawful. However, employers must still apply proportionality and consider mitigating factors.
2. Criminal conduct outside the workplace
Off-duty criminal conduct can amount to bringing the company into disrepute, but only where there is a clear link to the role or the employer’s standing. The employer should not assume that criminal involvement automatically justifies dismissal. It must still be approached through a fair process and assessed against the role-specific risk.
Key considerations include:
- the nature and seriousness of the offence
- the employee’s role and seniority
- whether the role involves safeguarding, trust or regulatory obligations
- public knowledge of the offence
- impact on colleagues or clients
In Leach v Ofcom [2012] EWCA Civ 959, Ofcom dismissed an employee following serious allegations, though not a conviction, relating to child safeguarding. The Court of Appeal held the dismissal was fair. The employer had conducted a reasonable investigation and was entitled to conclude that the allegations undermined trust and suitability for the role.
The ACAS Code makes clear that a criminal charge or conviction is not automatically grounds for dismissal. The employer must consider the impact on the employment relationship. If the offence is unrelated to work and does not affect reputation or trust, dismissal may be unfair.
Where the case is handled poorly, employers can face not only unfair dismissal litigation but also the cost and time burden of an unfair dismissal claim in the tribunal system.
3. Public misconduct or media exposure
Conduct that attracts media attention can present acute reputational risk, particularly where the employee is senior, visible, or in a role closely associated with the employer’s public image.
Reputational risk is more likely to be accepted where:
- the employee is senior or high-profile
- the employee represents the organisation publicly
- the organisation operates in a regulated or reputation-sensitive sector
Where conduct is widely publicised and clearly linked to the employer, tribunals may accept that reputational harm is real. However, private moral disapproval by the employer is insufficient. There must be an objective reputational or operational impact.
The European Court of Human Rights decision in Pay v United Kingdom (2008) confirmed that dismissal may be justified where private conduct conflicts with the nature of the role. The case also illustrates that employers should consider proportionality where private life is engaged, while recognising that in practice tribunals apply these principles through the domestic fairness tests and proportionality reasoning rather than by treating private employers as direct duty-bearers.
4. Defamatory or damaging statements about the employer
Employees who publicly make false, damaging or malicious statements about their employer may be found to have brought the company name into disrepute. This may overlap with breach of confidentiality, breach of trust and confidence, and other forms of disloyal conduct.
However, caution is required where the statements amount to protected whistleblowing. If the disclosure qualifies as a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, dismissal could amount to automatically unfair dismissal. No qualifying service is required for this type of claim, and compensation is uncapped. Employers should therefore distinguish carefully between reputational misconduct and protected disclosures.
Having a clear whistleblowing policy and properly trained managers reduces the risk of treating protected activity as misconduct.
Section B Summary: Examples of bringing the company into disrepute commonly include social media misconduct, criminal allegations linked to the role, public scandals involving senior employees and damaging public statements about the employer. The legal test is not whether the employer is embarrassed, but whether there is a genuine and reasonable belief, supported by evidence, that the conduct caused or posed a real risk of reputational harm. Context, seniority and proportionality are central to the tribunal’s assessment.
Section C: Is Bringing the Company into Disrepute Gross Misconduct?
Whether bringing the company into disrepute amounts to gross misconduct is one of the most common questions employers face. There is no automatic rule. The answer depends on the seriousness of the conduct, its impact on the organisation, and whether dismissal falls within the range of reasonable responses.
Gross misconduct is not defined in statute, but it is generally understood to mean conduct so serious that it fundamentally breaches the employment contract and justifies dismissal without notice, subject always to fairness and proportionality.
1. When may bringing the company into disrepute amount to gross misconduct?
Allegations of disrepute may justify summary dismissal where the conduct:
- causes serious reputational damage or a clear and substantial risk of such damage
- involves deliberate or reckless behaviour
- breaches a clearly communicated policy, such as a social media or code of conduct policy
- undermines trust and confidence in a fundamental way
- is committed by a senior or public-facing employee whose conduct is closely associated with the employer
For example, racist or discriminatory comments made publicly online by an employee identifiable with the organisation may justify summary dismissal, particularly where the employer operates in a regulated or reputation-sensitive sector. However, even in such cases, employers must assess context, seniority, consistency of treatment and mitigation before concluding that dismissal without notice is proportionate.
Similarly, serious criminal allegations relevant to the role, even without conviction, may amount to gross misconduct if the employer reasonably concludes that trust and reputational integrity are compromised.
In these situations, the tribunal will consider whether the employer’s decision to treat the conduct as gross misconduct fell within the band of reasonable responses open to a reasonable employer, applying established misconduct principles rather than substituting its own view.
2. When will it not justify dismissal?
Not all conduct that embarrasses an employer amounts to gross misconduct. Employers must avoid equating reputational sensitivity with contractual breach.
Dismissal is less likely to be fair where:
- the conduct is minor or trivial
- there is no clear link between the conduct and the employer
- the behaviour occurred in a purely private context and did not identify the employer
- there is no evidence of reputational impact or genuine risk
- a warning would have been sufficient in all the circumstances
Tribunals are cautious where employers rely on vague reputational arguments. Employers must avoid moral judgement or subjective disapproval. The focus must remain on business impact, contractual obligations and reasoned assessment.
In addition, employers should be mindful that where the conduct relates to protected characteristics, political opinion, religion or belief, or trade union activity, additional discrimination or automatically unfair dismissal risks may arise. Careful legal analysis is required before concluding that dismissal is justified.
3. Is bringing the company into disrepute automatically gross misconduct?
No. Even where a contract or policy lists “bringing the company into disrepute” as gross misconduct, this does not make dismissal automatically fair.
Tribunals will examine:
- the wording of the policy
- whether the employee was aware of the rule
- the seriousness of the conduct
- the consistency of treatment compared to other employees
- mitigating factors such as length of service and previous record
A contractual label is relevant but not decisive. The ultimate question remains whether dismissal was a reasonable response in the circumstances, assessed on the facts known to the employer at the time of the decision.
Employers should therefore avoid assuming that including the phrase in a gross misconduct list guarantees summary dismissal. Each case must be assessed individually, proportionately and in line with a fair disciplinary investigation process.
Section C Summary: Bringing the company into disrepute can amount to gross misconduct where the conduct seriously undermines trust or poses substantial reputational risk. However, it is not automatically gross misconduct. Even where labelled as such in a policy, dismissal must still satisfy the statutory fairness test under the Employment Rights Act 1996, including proper investigation and procedural compliance.
Section D: ACAS Guidance & Can You Be Sacked for Bringing the Company into Disrepute?
Even where reputational misconduct appears serious, dismissal will only be fair if the employer follows a fair procedure. The ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures plays a central role in determining fairness under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Failure to comply with the Code does not automatically make a dismissal unfair, but a tribunal may increase compensation by up to 25% where there has been an unreasonable failure to follow it. Procedural compliance is therefore not optional.
1. ACAS Code requirements in disrepute cases
Where an employee is accused of bringing the company into disrepute, the employer should carry out a reasonable and proportionate investigation in line with its disciplinary procedure and the ACAS Code of Practice.
The process should include:
- a fair and objective workplace investigation
- written notification of the allegations
- disclosure of relevant evidence in advance of any hearing
- a formal disciplinary hearing
- the statutory right to be accompanied
- a reasoned written outcome
- a right of appeal
The investigation must be sufficient to establish reasonable grounds for belief in misconduct. This does not require proof beyond doubt, but it must go beyond assumption or speculation. Employers should document the nature of the alleged reputational risk and explain why lesser sanctions were considered and rejected.
Where dismissal follows, tribunals will assess fairness based on whether the employer had a genuine belief in misconduct, reasonable grounds for that belief, and carried out as much investigation as was reasonable in the circumstances.
2. Suspension during investigation
In high-profile reputational cases, employers often consider suspension.
Suspension should not be treated as a disciplinary sanction unless the contract expressly permits disciplinary suspension. Instead, it is generally a neutral act to facilitate investigation. Employers should comply with the established rules for suspending an employee.
Key principles include:
- suspension should normally be on full pay
- it should not be a knee-jerk reaction
- alternatives such as temporary redeployment should be considered
- the period of suspension should be kept under review
- clear communication should confirm that suspension is not a finding of guilt
Unpaid suspension without clear contractual authority may amount to an unlawful deduction from wages. Unreasonable or unnecessary suspension may also breach the implied term of mutual trust and confidence and could expose the employer to claims including constructive dismissal.
3. Can you be sacked for bringing the company into disrepute?
Yes, an employee can be fairly dismissed for bringing the company into disrepute in the UK, but only where the statutory fairness test is satisfied.
The employer must show:
- a potentially fair reason, usually conduct under section 98(2)(b) Employment Rights Act 1996
- a genuine belief in misconduct
- reasonable grounds for that belief
- a reasonable investigation
- a fair procedure in line with the ACAS Code
- that dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses
Dismissal is not automatic simply because reputational harm is alleged. The employer must demonstrate a rational link between the conduct and reputational impact, and must consider mitigation, consistency and proportionality.
Where the allegation involves protected whistleblowing, discrimination, trade union activity or certain statutory rights, dismissal could amount to automatically unfair dismissal. In such cases, no qualifying service is required and compensation is uncapped. Employers should also be aware that in some circumstances, claims may proceed even where the employee has less than two years’ service, including under the principles explained in unfair dismissal under 2 years guidance.
Where the process is mishandled, employers may face an unfair dismissal claim, potentially requiring specialist employment tribunal representation.
Section D Summary: ACAS compliance is central to fairness in disrepute cases. Employers must investigate properly, provide a hearing and allow appeal. Suspension must be proportionate and justified. An employee can lawfully be sacked for bringing the company into disrepute, but only where the statutory fairness test is satisfied and the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances.
Section E: Bringing the Company into Disrepute Case Law (UK)
Case law plays a central role in shaping how tribunals assess allegations of bringing the company into disrepute. While the phrase itself is not defined in statute, judicial decisions provide guidance on how reputational misconduct is analysed in practice.
The consistent theme across the authorities is proportionality. Tribunals do not ask whether they would have dismissed the employee. Instead, they assess whether dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses open to a reasonable employer, based on the facts known at the time.
1. Preece v JD Wetherspoons plc (2011 ET)
In this case, a pub manager posted derogatory comments about customers on Facebook while at work. She believed her privacy settings limited visibility, but the posts were seen and a complaint was made.
The employer dismissed her for breaching its internet policy and bringing the company into disrepute. The tribunal held that dismissal was fair. Key factors included:
- a clear and well-communicated social media policy
- the employee’s managerial role
- the public nature of the comments
- the potential reputational impact
The case illustrates that online conduct, even outside formal corporate channels, may justify dismissal where the employer is identifiable and reputational harm is reasonably foreseeable.
2. Crisp v Apple Retail (UK) Ltd (2011 ET)
An Apple employee posted negative comments about Apple products on Facebook. Apple dismissed him for breaching its policies designed to protect brand reputation.
The tribunal found the dismissal fair. Apple had clear expectations regarding brand protection, and the employee’s conduct was inconsistent with those standards.
The case demonstrates that in reputation-sensitive organisations, particularly consumer-facing brands, dismissal for reputational misconduct may fall within the band of reasonable responses where policies are clear and consistently applied.
3. Leach v Ofcom [2012] EWCA Civ 959
Ofcom dismissed an employee following serious safeguarding allegations made overseas, even though there was no criminal conviction.
The Court of Appeal upheld the dismissal as fair. Ofcom had:
- conducted a reasonable investigation
- assessed the seriousness of the allegations
- considered the impact on the employee’s suitability for the role
The decision confirms that reputational risk and loss of trust can justify dismissal even where misconduct is not proven to a criminal standard, provided the employer’s belief is reasonable and the process fair.
4. Pay v United Kingdom (2008) ECHR
In this case, a probation officer was dismissed following involvement in private activities that conflicted with the nature of his role working with sex offenders.
The European Court of Human Rights held that dismissal did not breach Article 8 (right to private life). Although private conduct was engaged, interference was justified given the sensitive nature of the work and the employer’s legitimate interests.
The case highlights that off-duty conduct may justify dismissal where there is a clear conflict with professional responsibilities and reputational expectations, subject always to proportionality.
5. Core legal principles from case law
Across these cases, several principles emerge:
- employers do not need to prove actual reputational damage
- a reasonable belief following a reasonable investigation is sufficient
- clear and well-communicated policies strengthen the employer’s position
- seniority and public visibility increase reputational risk
- proportionality remains central
- tribunals must avoid substituting their own view for that of the employer
Tribunals will focus less on the label “disrepute” and more on whether the employer’s response was reasonable in the circumstances.
Section E Summary: UK case law confirms that bringing the company into disrepute can justify dismissal where reputational risk is real and the employer acts reasonably. Social media misconduct, serious safeguarding concerns and conduct incompatible with professional roles have all supported fair dismissal findings. However, the decisive issue is always proportionality and procedural fairness.
Section F: Employer Risk Management & Policy Drafting
Allegations of bringing the company into disrepute are often avoidable. The strength of an employer’s position in any tribunal claim will depend heavily on the clarity of its contractual documentation, the quality of its policies and the consistency of its enforcement.
A vague or inconsistently applied “disrepute” clause increases litigation risk. A clearly drafted and well-communicated framework strengthens defensibility.
1. Drafting disrepute clauses
Employment contracts and disciplinary policies frequently include wording such as:
- “conduct likely to bring the company into disrepute”
- “actions damaging the reputation or standing of the organisation”
- “conduct inconsistent with the company’s values”
To reduce ambiguity, clauses should:
- link disrepute to identifiable reputational or business impact
- clarify that conduct may include behaviour outside working hours where relevant
- specify that conduct must have a connection to the employer
- avoid over-broad or purely moralistic language
Overly wide drafting may be difficult to enforce fairly. Tribunals are alert to policies that give employers excessive discretion without objective standards.
2. Social media and communications policies
Given the frequency of social media-related cases, a clear policy is essential. Employers should ensure that their approach aligns with broader guidance on social media at work and reputational risk management.
Effective policies should:
- state that online conduct identifying the employer may fall within disciplinary scope
- prohibit discriminatory, defamatory or offensive posts
- clarify expectations around confidentiality and commercial information
- explain when personal views may create reputational risk
- confirm potential disciplinary consequences
Policies should be regularly reviewed and supported by training. Simply having a written policy is insufficient if employees are unaware of its contents or managers apply it inconsistently.
3. Gross misconduct lists
Many employers categorise “bringing the company into disrepute” as gross misconduct. This is lawful, but care is required.
The list should:
- make clear it is illustrative rather than exhaustive
- provide examples of serious reputational misconduct
- avoid treating all reputational allegations as automatically gross misconduct
Even where labelled as gross misconduct, dismissal must still satisfy the statutory fairness test. Employers should document why summary dismissal, rather than a warning, was considered proportionate in the circumstances.
Managers dealing with cases where an employee is accused of gross misconduct should be trained to assess evidence carefully and avoid pre-judging the outcome.
4. Consistency and comparators
Inconsistent disciplinary treatment is a common ground for unfair dismissal claims.
Employers should consider:
- how similar cases were handled previously
- whether other employees engaged in comparable conduct
- whether the employee’s seniority or role justifies differentiation
Failure to treat similar misconduct consistently may undermine the reasonableness of dismissal and increase exposure to challenge.
5. Training managers on proportionality
Managers often react quickly in reputational situations, particularly where there is media or client pressure. However, knee-jerk decisions increase legal exposure.
Training should emphasise:
- the need for a fair and documented investigation
- the range of reasonable responses test
- consideration of mitigating factors
- consistency of treatment
- procedural compliance
Where reputational risk is high, obtaining legal advice before confirming dismissal may reduce the likelihood of subsequent litigation.
Section F Summary: Managing reputational misconduct risk requires more than a broad contractual clause. Clear drafting, robust social media policies, consistent enforcement and manager training are central to reducing exposure. Even where reputational harm appears obvious, dismissal must remain proportionate and procedurally fair to withstand tribunal scrutiny.
FAQs: Bringing the Company into Disrepute (UK)
What does bringing the company into disrepute mean in UK law?
It refers to conduct by an employee that damages, or is reasonably likely to damage, the employer’s reputation or standing. It is not defined in statute but commonly appears in contracts and disciplinary policies and is treated as a conduct issue under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Is bringing the company into disrepute gross misconduct?
It can be, but not automatically. Whether it amounts to gross misconduct depends on the seriousness of the conduct, the reputational impact, the employee’s role and whether dismissal would fall within the range of reasonable responses.
Can you be sacked for bringing the company into disrepute?
Yes, dismissal may be fair where the employer establishes a fair reason, follows a fair procedure and acts within the range of reasonable responses. Failure to do so may result in an unfair dismissal claim.
Does ACAS define bringing a company into disrepute?
The ACAS Code does not define the phrase, but it sets out the procedural standards employers must follow when dealing with allegations of misconduct.
Does the employer need proof of actual damage?
No. Employers do not need to prove measurable financial loss, but they must demonstrate a reasonable belief in misconduct and a rational link to reputational risk.
Can off-duty behaviour count?
Yes, where there is a sufficient connection between the conduct and the employer, particularly where the employer is identifiable or the role involves trust or public confidence.
Does bringing the company into disrepute have to be written in the contract?
No. While express wording strengthens the employer’s position, serious reputational misconduct may justify dismissal even without an explicit clause.
What should an employer do before dismissing?
Carry out a fair investigation, hold a disciplinary hearing, allow representation, consider mitigation and provide a right of appeal in line with the ACAS Code.
Conclusion
“Bringing the company into disrepute” is a widely used disciplinary concept in UK workplaces, but it is not a statutory offence or automatically a ground for dismissal. In legal terms, it falls within conduct under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and must satisfy the statutory test of fairness.
Employers do not need to prove actual reputational damage, but they must demonstrate a genuine and reasonable belief, supported by investigation, that the employee’s conduct caused or posed a real risk of reputational harm. The tribunal’s focus will be on proportionality, consistency and whether dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses.
Where reputational misconduct is serious, particularly in cases involving social media, safeguarding concerns, regulatory exposure or senior public-facing roles, dismissal may be fair. However, overreaction, poor investigation or failure to follow the ACAS Code can quickly convert a reputational issue into an unfair dismissal claim.
The safest approach for employers is structured decision-making: clear policies, documented reasoning, procedural compliance and careful balancing of business interests against employee rights.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bringing the Company into Disrepute | Conduct by an employee that damages, or is reasonably likely to damage, the employer’s reputation or standing. |
| Gross Misconduct | Serious conduct that fundamentally breaches the employment contract and may justify dismissal without notice. |
| Burchell Test | The requirement that an employer has a genuine belief in misconduct, reasonable grounds for that belief and has carried out as much investigation as was reasonable in the circumstances. |
| Range of Reasonable Responses | The principle requiring tribunals to assess whether dismissal fell within the band of reasonable responses open to a reasonable employer. |
| ACAS Code of Practice | Statutory guidance on handling disciplinary and grievance procedures. Non-compliance can lead to a compensation uplift. |
| Automatically Unfair Dismissal | Dismissal for certain protected reasons, such as whistleblowing, where no qualifying service is required and compensation is uncapped. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Employment Rights Act 1996 | View legislation |
| ACAS Code of Practice | View guidance |
| GOV.UK Dismissal Guidance | View guidance |
| Equality and Human Rights Commission | View guidance |
