This course equips managers and HR professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to handle disciplinary, absence, and grievance matters fairly, lawfully, and confidently within the UK employment framework. Delegates will gain a clear understanding of the ACAS Code of Practice, the distinction between misconduct, capability, and absence issues, and how to apply the Burchell principles and reasonableness test to make defensible decisions. By mastering investigation techniques, record-keeping, return-to-work interviews, and appeal processes, participants will be able to manage sensitive situations with empathy while upholding organisational standards and minimising legal risk. Ultimately, this training ensures consistent, compliant, and supportive people management that protects both employees and the business.
Are you confident handling disciplinary, absence, or grievance issues when they arise?
This one day course gives managers and HR professionals the practical skills to act fairly, lawfully, and with confidence.
You’ll learn how to distinguish between misconduct, capability, and absence — and apply the right process every time.
Master investigations, record-keeping, and return-to-work interviews that stand up to scrutiny.
Protect your team and your business by reducing legal risk while building trust and consistency.
Available as an open course, closed group session, or one to one coaching — flexible to suit your needs.
Earn six CPD hours and gain real-world tools you can use from day one.
To find out more, contact us at lets talk at e q v dot co dot uk.
Counts towards 6 CPD Hours1 Day9:00 - 5:00 for GroupsOpen Public & Closed Group
Please reflect on one or more of the questions below and come prepared to discuss your responses during the session.
Self-Assessment: On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your current skill level in this subject? What factors influenced your rating?
Development Focus: Identify one specific behaviour, skill, or capability you would like to improve or develop further.
Relevant Examples: If possible, bring one or two relevant examples or scenarios from your experience that you would be willing to share with the group.
What You Will Learn
Navigate the ACAS Code of Practice and UK Employment Legislation to ensure procedural fairness.
Distinguish clearly between misconduct, capability, and absence issues to apply the correct process.
Conduct thorough investigations and maintain contemporaneous records that stand up to scrutiny.
Manage Return to Work interviews effectively to identify root causes of absence and offer support.
Handle grievance procedures with empathy while maintaining organisational boundaries.
Apply the 'Reasonableness' test and Burchell principles to make defensible management decisions.
Determine appropriate sanctions and manage the appeals process in line with statutory requirements.
Manage the post-decision phase, including monitoring and supporting employees after disciplinary outcomes.
Your Post-Course Challenge
Within 30 days, conduct a formal Return to Work interview using the GROW model.
Review your last disciplinary or grievance file against the ACAS Code checklist.
Counts Towards 6 CPD Hours
This course contributes 6 hours of Continuing Professional Development. Delegates can log these hours as evidence of structured learning for professional bodies and employers.
This course is designed for professionals who manage people and need to handle workplace issues with confidence, fairness, and legal compliance. Whether you are new to people management or looking to strengthen your existing skills, it provides the essential knowledge to navigate disciplinary, absence, and grievance processes effectively.
This course is ideal for:
Line managers who need to address performance and conduct issues in their teams
HR officers seeking to apply employment law consistently across the organisation
Team leaders responsible for monitoring absence and supporting employee wellbeing
Supervisors preparing to take on greater people management responsibilities
Office managers overseeing staff in small to medium-sized enterprises
Anyone transitioning into a people management role who wants to build a solid foundation in fair and lawful practices
No prior experience needed
No prior experience in HR or employment law is required to benefit from this course. It is accessible to those new to managing people as well as experienced managers looking to refresh or update their knowledge in line with current best practice.
What you will take away
You will leave with the confidence to handle sensitive workplace situations fairly and legally, supported by practical tools and a clear understanding of your responsibilities. The course equips you to make sound, defensible decisions that protect both your organisation and your employees.
For Groups & Teams
We can deliver this training session in several ways to suit your organisation’s needs:
Open Public Course
Join delegates from other organisations on a scheduled date
Closed Group
Exclusively for your team, using your real scenarios
In Person
Face-to-face at your premises or a venue of your choice
Virtual
Live, interactive online delivery via Teams or Zoom
One-to-One Coaching
Personalised sessions tailored entirely to you
Have two or more people to train?
You may want to consider a closed group course. Benefits include:
Cost effective for teams
Choose a date to suit you
Customise content and timings
No minimum delegate numbers
Uses your real-world scenarios
Builds shared language in your team
Contact us on [email protected] to discuss specific dates and delivery requirements.
How Our Tutor-Led Courses Are Delivered
Before the day
Delegates are given pre-work to complete before attending. This ensures everyone arrives with relevant context and real scenarios from their own experience, so learning is immediately relevant and actionable from the first minute.
On the day
Our sessions are participative and highly interactive. We don’t do “death by PowerPoint” — instead, the day includes a variety of engaging activities throughout:
Real-world casework using your scenarios
Practical hands-on exercises
Real Play (not role play) simulations
Peer learning and group discussion
Case studies and scenario work
Facilitated discussion and structured reflection
What you leave with
Participants leave with:
Practical tools — frameworks and models you can use straight away
Clear action plans — specific next steps tailored to your role
Greater confidence — built through intensive, realistic practice
Skills you can apply immediately — not theory, but techniques tested during the day
After the day
Post-session measurements and a 30-day challenge ensure that learning is embedded and behaviour change is sustained.
Key Features
Course Duration is 1 Day
Engaging tutor led event
Comprehensive course materials
Certificates of attendance
Access to Customer Portal (course bookers)
Course Guarantee
Priced per delegate per day for open public course
£449.00 Plus VAT
Can’t see a suitable date? Please request a date here
Payment available via all major credit cards or Invoice. All options available during the online booking process.
