I can only think that too many people have been watching Alan Sugar at work.
I was watching a television drama the other night when one employee sacked another on the spot. "No", I was shouting at the screen, "where's your procedure"?
I recognise this is a little sad given this was my leisure time, but it annoys me that television is still promoting this rubbish.
Except in exceptional circumstances, ie. where you have caught someone stealing red handed and they admit it, and even then there may be some investigation to be done, you cannot fire somebody on the spot.
Employers must go through the statutory procedure, suspend if necessary, investigate, hold a disciplinary meeting if appropriate, at which the employee may be accompanied, and offer the right of appeal if disciplinary sanctions are imposed.
These procedures seem to scare employers so that they either sack without following them, or just put up with unsatisfactory conduct etc., because they don't want to have to face going through them.
Employers need to familiarise themselves with the procedures for the sake of their business, while employees need to know that in the majority of cases their employer cannot sack them on the spot! If unsure seek legal advice.
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