NewWalk straight into Work-Lynx. Every tool, working, in your browser. No account, nothing to fill in.Walk in, no account.Try it now →
WorkLynx
Preloaded policy

Disciplinary Policy template

Full ACAS Code procedure: investigation, hearings, graduated sanctions, gross misconduct and appeal.

Legal basis
  • ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
  • Employment Rights Act 1996
Last reviewed April 2025. Guidance, not legal advice.

What the policy covers

  1. 1. POLICY STATEMENT
    your company aims to ensure that all disciplinary matters are dealt with fairly, consistently and in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedu
  2. 2. INFORMAL ACTION
    Where a concern arises about an employee's conduct or performance, a manager will first consider whether the matter can be resolved informally through a private conversation.
  3. 4. RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED
    Employees have a statutory right to be accompanied at any formal disciplinary hearing by:
  4. 5. DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
    The following sanctions may be applied depending on the severity and circumstances of the misconduct:
  5. 6. GROSS MISCONDUCT
    Gross misconduct is misconduct so serious that it may justify summary dismissal.
  6. 7. ACAS CODE COMPLIANCE
    Employment tribunals are required to take the ACAS Code of Practice into account when determining claims.
  7. 8. REVIEW
    This policy will be reviewed annually and following any update to the ACAS Code or relevant legislation.

Who needs it

Any employer with more than a handful of staff. These are the policies a tribunal or agency looks for when something has gone wrong between people.

Questions people ask

Is a disciplinary policy a legal requirement?

It rests on ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures and Employment Rights Act 1996. Some policies must be written down once a business reaches a certain size or does certain work; others are simply how a tribunal, an inspector or an auditor expects to see that you have thought about it. A clear, dated, signed policy is the evidence either way. Guidance, not legal advice.

Can I change it to suit how we work?

Yes. Inside Work-Lynx it is a starting point: put your company name in, adjust the arrangements to what you actually do, set the review date and publish it. Staff read and acknowledge it on their phones, and you can see who has not.

Is it up to date?

Last reviewed April 2025. The pack is updated when the law moves, and every policy carries a review date so it does not quietly go stale.

How do I get it?

Two ways. It is preloaded in Work-Lynx with the other 48 policies (from £2.50 plus £1 per employee, 14 days free, no card), and a Word version is a free download on our free templates page.

Who is it for?

Any employer with more than a handful of staff. These are the policies a tribunal or agency looks for when something has gone wrong between people.

All 49 UK policies, £2.50 a month

This policy and 48 others are already in Work-Lynx, alongside GPS clock-in, rotas, timesheets, annual leave and an employment-question advisor. £2.50 base plus £1 per employee a month. 14 days free, no card, no sales call.

Start free trial