Preparing a Winning Case and Chairing an Inquiry

Preparing a Winning Case is imperative in ensuring that an accurate and fair disciplinary hearing occurs. This course will equip managers with the knowledge and skills to present their case with confidence.

Modules 

Unit 1: Brief overview of the Code of Good Practise: Dismissal;
 and Management’s Role & Responsibility

• Reasons to dismiss
  o Misconduct
  o Incapacity (poor performance and ill health), including probation
  o Industrial action & Shop Stewards
• Management’s role in supervising subordinates
• Options for handling infringements

 Unit 2: Types of Disciplinary Action

• Informal Discipline
  o Counselling
  o Warnings
• Formal Discipline
  o Substantive fairness
  o Procedural fairness
• Case studies

 Unit 3: Preparing a Winning Case

• The investigation:
  • How to gather evidence
  • Admissibility of evidence – oral; written; hearsay; audio & visual evidence; polygraphs
  • Preparation of witnesses
  • Documentary evidence
  • Suspensions
  • Preparing the notice and charge sheet
  • Practical exercises

Unit 4: Presenting a Winning Case

• Phase 1 of the inquiry – Presenting the Evidence
• How to lead evidence effectively:
  • The Opening statement;
  • How to introduce and lead oral evidence;
  • How and when to produce documentary evidence;
  • How to cross-examine witnesses effectively
  • The Closing Statement
• Phase 2 of the inquiry – The Findings
  • Purpose of Phase 2 of the Inquiry
  • Presenting aggravating factors

Unit 5: Role Play