{"id":14892,"date":"2024-08-07T10:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T10:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=14892"},"modified":"2026-10-27T12:00:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T12:00:32","slug":"how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f85887e8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-929090b5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <strong><strong>Tina Elliott <\/strong><\/strong>and <strong><strong>Lynda Macdonald<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The disciplinary investigation is key to carrying out a fair disciplinary process. If a disciplinary process leads to an employee&#8217;s dismissal, an inadequate investigation may make the dismissal unfair. It is therefore important that investigating officers are made aware of the essentials of carrying out a reasonable investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a misconduct dismissal to be fair, the employer must establish a genuine belief on reasonable grounds, after a reasonable investigation, that the employee was guilty of misconduct (<em>British Home Stores Ltd v Burchell [1978] IRLR 379 EAT<\/em>). In misconduct cases, fair procedures must at the very least include a full and fair investigation and an opportunity for the employee to have their case heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-in-this-guide-learn-about\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this guide, learn about:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">The purpose of the investigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Who should carry out the investigation?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Defining the scope of the investigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Is suspension appropriate?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Preparing for the investigatory interview with the employee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Companions at investigatory interviews<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Failure to attend an investigatory interview<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Conducting an interview<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Interviewing witnesses\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Disclosure of witness statements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Collecting documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Police investigations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">At the completion of the investigation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bg-light-blue-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 id=\"h-want-to-see-more\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14.642px, 0.915rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.708), 22px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-bm-inline-sentence is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For full access to our How-to guide:<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);font-style:normal;font-weight:500\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\">How to conduct a disciplinary investigation<\/h2>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.385), 18px);\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1b31d3a2 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 id=\"h-latest-updates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Improved throughout, including with additional information on the role of HR, conducting an investigatory meeting and disclosing witness statements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22a7c014 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 id=\"h-navigate-hr-complexity-with-confidence\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-64c039dc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-a7dce961 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-22517 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-podcasts topic-hr-compliance\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/what-can-hr-professionals-in-the-uk-learn-from-legal-reforms-in-india\/\" target=\"_self\" >What can HR professionals in the UK learn from legal reforms in India?<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-18462 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blogs topic-learning-development\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/learning-development\/line-manager-training-gap\/\" target=\"_self\" >The new supervisor training gap<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-18011 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-c-and-i topic-ai-in-hr topic-disciplinary\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.192), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-strategy\/hr-technology\/ai-in-hr\/dealing-with-employee-grievances-in-an-ai-enabled-world\/\" target=\"_self\" >Dealing with employee grievances in an AI-enabled world<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 id=\"h-you-may-also-be-interested-in\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">You may also be interested in&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n<section id=\"resources-search-filter\" class=\"wp-elements-52b6fe3587306dc2618dd319ed2d805e wp-block-brightmine-resources-filter has-text-color has-primary-black-color has-background has-primary-white-background-color\">\n\n\n<div class=\"ajax-filter\">\n<div class=\"lnrs-resources-search-filter   \">\n\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_bottom\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_left\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"search_terms_result_count\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom_right\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"loader-container\">\n\t\t<span class=\"loader\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-filter-widget__container\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-strategy\/hr-technology\/ai-in-hr\/ai-in-recruitment\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/22081114\/feature-employees-exploring-ai-tool-on-laptop-1200x627px.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"sync\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/lnrs-resources-filter\/assets\/images\/category-flag.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Commentary and Insights<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-strategy\/hr-technology\/ai-in-hr\/ai-in-recruitment\/\">AI in recruitment and CV screening: Why HR should review how candidates are assessed<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">As AI increasingly shapes both job applications and candidate screening, HR must reassess how recruitment decisions are made. &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/employee-engagement\/the-consistency-gap-why-employee-trust-depends-on-your-line-managers\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/13130605\/hr-manager-discussing-bonus-payments.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"sync\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/lnrs-resources-filter\/assets\/images\/category-flag.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Blogs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/talent-management\/employee-engagement\/the-consistency-gap-why-employee-trust-depends-on-your-line-managers\/\">The consistency gap: Why employee trust depends on your line managers<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">HR may design the policies, but employees judge the organisation by how their line manager applies them. Find &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-equity\/executive-pay-in-school-trusts-the-governance-imperative\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/13145730\/two-female-hr-professionals-looking-at-laptop-with-coffee.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"sync\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/lnrs-resources-filter\/assets\/images\/category-flag.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Webinars<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-equity\/executive-pay-in-school-trusts-the-governance-imperative\/\">Executive pay in school trusts: The governance imperative<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #202526\">Over the past year, modest pay settlements reflected employers\u2019 continued caution as they sought to meet reward expectations &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f1e3dc65 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-topics-on-this-page\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Topics on this page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-topic has-link-color wp-elements-5ec59eb01c09ec2f1d84a6b36973ff83 wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/\" rel=\"tag\">Disciplinary action and investigations<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-about-the-authors\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">About the authors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-a903a136 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/01\/13144636\/speaker-avatar.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14506\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tina Elliot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tina Elliott has been a solicitor for over 20 years and specialises in employment law. In the last few years Tina has concentrated on advising clients involved in healthcare in both the public and private sector.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-a903a136 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/01\/13144636\/speaker-avatar.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14506\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Lynda Macdonald<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynda Macdonald has worked for more than 20 years as a self-employed, freelance management trainer, adviser and writer specialising in employment law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She regularly designs and conducts training courses on all aspects of employment law for a range of managers and supervisors in all sectors of industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to setting up her own business in employment law and management training\/consultancy, she worked as an HR manager in the oil industry for more than 10 years. She is also appointed as a panel member of the employment tribunal service in Aberdeen, Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynda is a university graduate in language and a chartered fellow of the CIPD. She has an LLM degree in employment law and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynda has written numerous books on various aspects of employment law, all of which have been published by major national publishers. She has co-authored several other books, and currently contributes extensively to various HR and employment law hard-copy and online products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore expert insights on planning and executing disciplinary investigations that stand up to scrutiny and support confident HR outcomes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":14907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[12],"tags":[],"topic":[73],"class_list":["post-14892","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-how-to","topic-disciplinary"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to conduct a disciplinary investigation | Brightmine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Brightmine UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Brightmine\/61571848101231\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"627\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WeAreBrightmine\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Multiple Authors\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8ab07235fa284aceac845702d2e47c57\"},\"headline\":\"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-07T10:18:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":228,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/26171312\\\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Guides - How to\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation | Brightmine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/26171312\\\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-07T10:18:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/26171312\\\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/26171312\\\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":627,\"caption\":\"Pregnant professional working on a laptop while seated in a modern office or lounge setting.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"HR compliance\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Disciplinary action and investigations\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/resources\\\/hr-compliance\\\/disciplinary\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"Brightmine UK\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8ab07235fa284aceac845702d2e47c57\",\"name\":\"Multiple Authors\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/12085308\\\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/12085308\\\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cjp-rbi-brightmine.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/12085308\\\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png\",\"caption\":\"Multiple Authors\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.brightmine.com\\\/uk\\\/author\\\/multiple-authors\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation | Brightmine","description":"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation","og_description":"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/","og_site_name":"Brightmine UK","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Brightmine\/61571848101231\/","article_modified_time":"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":627,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@WeAreBrightmine","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/"},"author":{"name":"Multiple Authors","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/8ab07235fa284aceac845702d2e47c57"},"headline":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation","datePublished":"2024-08-07T10:18:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/"},"wordCount":228,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp","articleSection":["Guides - How to"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/","url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/","name":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation | Brightmine","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp","datePublished":"2024-08-07T10:18:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-27T12:00:32+00:00","description":"Learn how to conduct a fair and compliant disciplinary investigation with step\u2011by\u2011step HR guidance to minimise risk and support informed decisions.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/26171312\/pregnant-professional-working-on-laptop-in-modern-office.webp","width":1200,"height":627,"caption":"Pregnant professional working on a laptop while seated in a modern office or lounge setting."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/how-to-conduct-a-disciplinary-investigation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"HR compliance","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Disciplinary action and investigations","item":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/disciplinary\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"How to conduct a disciplinary investigation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/","name":"Brightmine UK","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/person\/8ab07235fa284aceac845702d2e47c57","name":"Multiple Authors","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/12085308\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png","url":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/12085308\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/12085308\/Brightmine_Favicon_128px.png","caption":"Multiple Authors"},"url":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/author\/multiple-authors\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/14892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resources"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14892"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/14892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23961,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/14892\/revisions\/23961"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14892"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=14892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}