Employment Practice

Recruiting, familiarising, and training an employee in the principles and practices of a particular employer is costly. The dismissal of an employee means that such costs are written off - and may well be incurred again as far as any replacement employee is concerned. However, of far greater concern is that the dismissal might generate an Employment Tribunal case for unfair dismissal and potential liability of £55,000 (February 2004) plus the costs of the case. Commentary It should be possible, to convert the unacceptable behaviour of many employees into that which is acceptable. However, where it is not, then any decision to dismiss needs to be considered very carefully, not least since any decision found to be unfair could be very costly to the employer and will also be subject to scrutiny by remaining employees. A decision to dismiss should therefore only be taken: a. as a last resort; b. after calm consideration, and reconsideration, of the events which led to the decision; c. afte...