Flawed workplace disciplinary hearings cost UK economy £28.5bn a year, doctors say
8 reported
Public health doctors have reported that poorly executed disciplinary investigations at work are costing the UK economy £28.5bn annually and causing harm to employees. The UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) stated that badly handled proceedings damage staff, colleagues, and organizations, and should be considered a public health threat comparable to smoking or poor diet. According to research by the conciliation service Acas, UK employers conduct about 1.7 million disciplinary cases each year, with costs driven mainly by dismissals and resignations. The FPH said many of these processes are flawed because organizations prioritize formal procedures over staff wellbeing. The FPH’s president, Prof Tracy Daszkiewicz, urged ministers, employers, and unions to discuss mitigating the unintended harm from poorly conducted investigations. The report also highlighted that senior managers conducting investigations can become “second victims” due to extra workload and emotional strain. The FPH recommended treating disciplinary investigations as a last resort, citing a pilot process at Aneurin Bevan University health board that reduced investigations by 71% and saved at least £700,000 a year.
What’s reported
The UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) said poorly executed disciplinary hearings cost the UK economy £28.5bn a year.
Acas research found UK employers undertake about 1.7 million disciplinary cases annually.
The FPH said flawed processes prioritize procedure over people and cause population-level harm.
Prof Tracy Daszkiewicz, FPH president, called for discussions on mitigating unintended harm from disciplinary investigations.
The FPH recommended treating disciplinary investigations as a last resort, guided by “avoidable employee harm” principles.
A pilot at Aneurin Bevan University health board reduced investigations by 71%, prevented over 3,000 staff sick days, and saved at least £700,000 a year.
The report noted senior managers can become “second victims” of the process.
The Guardian reported that Treasury employee Chloe Moffat killed herself after a disciplinary hearing; the Treasury is introducing new procedures as a result.
Key figures
Prof Tracy Daszkiewicz, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH)
Andrew Cooper, head of employee wellbeing at Aneurin Bevan University health board and co-author of the FPH report
Niall Mackenzie, chief executive of Acas
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC
Chloe Moffat, personal assistant at the Treasury (deceased)
Sources: The Guardian
