This section should include reference to how problems will be dealt with including details of warnings; the contract of employment and your disciplinary/grievance procedure should be separate documents. There is a sample disciplinary and grievance policy in the templates booklet.
Before taking disciplinary action using the procedure, you will need to be certain that:
- the matter cannot be resolved through informal mediation
- you have investigated the matter fully
- your personal assistant is told that they will be called to a meeting and have
- the right to be accompanied by a fellow employee, friend or a trade union official of their choice.
At the disciplinary meeting, make sure that:
- the employee concerned knows the details of the allegation
- he or she has the opportunity to put across his or her side of the matter
- any disciplinary measure is appropriate to the circumstances.
If a warning is given, it should tell the employee:
- the level of improvement required
- the date by which it is to be achieved
- what will happen if it is not
- how to appeal.
Dismissal
This section should say how your personal assistant will be dismissed under certain circumstances, e.g. gross misconduct or gross negligence. Further details about gross misconduct are included in the templates booklet.
What happens when you are away
You should make a plan for what happens when you are away, for example on holiday without your personal assistant or if you have to go into hospital. Use this section to say what you need to happen. If you would like more information about short-term working or lay-off please visit www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking .