Management & leadership · Short course
Disciplinary Hearing Procedures
Understanding the stages, roles and records involved in workplace disciplinary hearings.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Understanding the stages, roles and records involved in workplace disciplinary hearings.
The programme brings together process preparation, hearing roles, evidence handling and decision records. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A fictional workplace complaint must be handled with clear roles and an accurate record of proceedings. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- HR practitioners, supervisors and managers involved in disciplinary processes.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Prepare a case-file checklist and identify missing information.
- Map the roles of the participants and the sequence of the hearing.
- Organise a mock evidence pack without assuming the outcome.
- Draft a neutral record of the hearing and its communicated decision.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Process preparation
This part of the programme examines process preparation, with attention to allegations, notices and relevant records. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Allegations.
- Notices.
- Relevant records.
- Applied work: prepare a case-file checklist and identify missing information.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a case-file checklist and identify missing information. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Hearing roles
This part of the programme examines hearing roles, with attention to participants and procedural responsibilities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Participants.
- Procedural responsibilities.
- Applied work: map the roles of the participants and the sequence of the hearing.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map the roles of the participants and the sequence of the hearing. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Evidence handling
This part of the programme examines evidence handling, with attention to presenting information and recording proceedings. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Presenting information.
- Recording proceedings.
- Applied work: organise a mock evidence pack without assuming the outcome.
Illustrative practical exercise
Organise a mock evidence pack without assuming the outcome. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Decision records
This part of the programme examines decision records, with attention to findings, communication and follow-up. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Findings.
- Communication.
- Follow-up.
- Applied work: draft a neutral record of the hearing and its communicated decision.
Illustrative practical exercise
Draft a neutral record of the hearing and its communicated decision. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A fictional workplace complaint must be handled with clear roles and an accurate record of proceedings. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.