Sackable Offences List UK: Legal Guide 2026
When employers search for a “sackable offences list”, they are usually looking for clarity on what behaviour justifies instant dismissal. In UK employment law, there is no statutory list of sackable offences. Instead, the concept is rooted in gross misconduct, summary dismissal, and the statutory framework governing fair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996. […]
Upward Bullying at Work: UK Employer Guide 2026
Bullying at work is usually discussed as something that flows down a hierarchy, for example where a manager misuses authority or where colleagues mistreat each other. In practice, organisations are also seeing cases where employees target people in authority, undermining or intimidating them in ways that are sustained, corrosive and difficult to tackle. This is […]
Bringing the Company into Disrepute UK (2026 Guide)
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 […]
Recording Conversations at Work UK Guide 2026
Recording conversations at work has become increasingly common. Smartphones and wearable technology allow employees to capture meetings, disciplinary hearings and informal discussions with ease. In many cases, recordings are made without the knowledge or consent of others present. For employers, this raises immediate concerns about trust, confidentiality and legal exposure. At the same time, employees […]
Settlement Agreement UK 2026: What It Is & When to Use It
Settlement agreements are a core risk management tool for UK employers. When used correctly, they allow businesses to end employment relationships on agreed terms, resolve workplace disputes without litigation and protect commercial and reputational interests. Used badly, they can do the opposite, creating avoidable exposure to claims and regulatory scrutiny. For wider context on employer […]
Rules for Suspending an Employee (UK 2026)
Suspension from work is one of the most sensitive decisions an employer can take. Used incorrectly, it can damage trust, trigger tribunal claims and undermine the fairness of a disciplinary process. Used correctly, it can protect employees, safeguard investigations and reduce legal exposure. The rules for suspending an employee in the UK are not set […]
Can A Vehicle Tracker Be Used In A Disciplinary UK? 2026
Vehicle tracking technology is widely used across the UK for fleet management, route optimisation and asset protection. But when GPS data reveals speeding, extended stops, route deviations or discrepancies in hours worked, employers often ask the same question: Can a vehicle tracker be used in a disciplinary? The short answer is yes, but only if […]
Alcohol at Work Disciplinary UK Guide 2026
Working under the influence of alcohol presents immediate health and safety concerns, reputational exposure and significant employment law risk. While being drunk at work is not automatically a criminal offence in most UK workplaces, it can amount to serious misconduct and in some circumstances gross misconduct. Employers who respond incorrectly risk unfair dismissal claims, discrimination […]
Gross Misconduct: Examples & Dismissal Rules 2026
Incidents of gross misconduct at work often require a prompt response, particularly where there are safety, safeguarding or security concerns. At the same time, disciplinary action in this context carries significant legal exposure. Employers are generally best protected where they follow a fair procedure aligned with the ACAS Code of Practice and respect the employee’s […]
Performance Management in the Workplace 2026
Performance management sits at the centre of how organisations translate strategy into day-to-day behaviour. In practice, however, it is one of the most inconsistently applied and least trusted aspects of HR governance. Many employers invest heavily in frameworks, forms and systems, yet still struggle with underperformance, disengagement, manager avoidance and escalating employee relations risk. For […]