Disciplinary Procedure

Why a Fair Disciplinary Procedure Is Essential in Hospitality

Running a busy pub or hospitality venue means managing a diverse team, often under pressure and across different shifts. When performance or conduct issues arise, a clear Disciplinary Procedure ensures that managers act fairly, consistently, and within the law.

This document provides a step-by-step framework for addressing misconduct, setting standards, and maintaining professionalism across your team. It helps you protect your business from claims while showing staff that every issue will be handled transparently and respectfully.

Legal Requirements and Guidance

Employers in the UK must follow fair disciplinary procedures under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and guidance issued by ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). Failing to follow these procedures can result in unfair dismissal claims or reputational harm.

You can read the full ACAS guidance on disciplinary and grievance procedures here:
ACAS – Disciplinary procedures and action against staff

By implementing this Disciplinary Procedure, your venue ensures it meets legal standards while maintaining a positive workplace culture.

What the Disciplinary Procedure Includes

This editable and easy-to-use policy has been written specifically for the pub and hospitality industry. It offers a practical framework that managers can confidently apply to real workplace situations. The procedure includes:

• Guidance on informal and formal stages of discipline

• Steps for conducting investigations and hearings

• Clear definitions of misconduct and gross misconduct

• Roles and responsibilities of managers and employees

• Guidance on issuing warnings and appeals

• Editable sections for business-specific details

Each section is structured for ease of use, allowing you to personalise it to your venue while ensuring compliance with best practice standards.

Benefits for Pubs and Hospitality Venues

• Ensures fair and consistent handling of disciplinary issues

• Aligns with ACAS and UK employment law

• Reduces the risk of tribunal claims or employee disputes

• Protects business reputation and staff relationships

• Free to download, edit, and use across your venues

Format and Use

The Disciplinary Procedure is a digital download available in editable Word and PDF formats. You can tailor it to your business name, contact details, and management structure. Once finalised, it can be shared with staff as part of your employee handbook or used as a standalone HR policy.

By adopting this document, your business demonstrates professionalism, fairness, and compliance — key values that support strong employee relations in the hospitality industry.

To see the full range of our free range of our Employment Policies & Procedure templates available from That HR Girl, please click here: Employment Policies & Procedures | That HR Girl