{"id":3359,"date":"2017-09-06T09:45:32","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T23:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wiseworkplacetraining.com.au\/2021\/09\/11\/considering-suspending-an-employee-what-should-you-know\/"},"modified":"2017-09-06T09:45:32","modified_gmt":"2017-09-05T23:45:32","slug":"considering-suspending-an-employee-what-should-you-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wiseworkplace.com.au\/2017\/09\/considering-suspending-an-employee-what-should-you-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Considering Suspending an Employee? What Should You Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
When faced with an allegation of serious misconduct made against a worker, an organisation may seek to suspend the respondent.<\/p>\n
But in what situations is it appropriate to take this kind of action?<\/p>\n
When taking the significant step of temporarily suspending an employee, an organisation must be able to demonstrate an objectively good reason for doing so.<\/p>\n
Once preliminary enquiries have indicated that there is prima facie evidence to support an allegation of serious misconduct, a risk assessment needs to be carried out, to determine what the risks are associated with suspending or not suspending the respondent.<\/p>\n
The risk assessment should include:<\/p>\n
Generally, it is appropriate to suspend a worker if an investigation into their serious misconduct is being carried out, and their continued presence in the workplace may jeopardise the process. This could include concerns about the misconduct continuing undue influence on or harassment of witnesses, or safety and security issues.<\/p>\n
It is important to bear in mind the distinction between ‘standing down’ and ‘suspending’ an employee.<\/p>\n
In a ‘stand down’ situation, the employee has not necessarily done anything wrong but the employer cannot usefully employ them for reasons that are outside the employer’s control – for example, a fruit picker who cannot continue working during a significant weather event. In those situations, the employee is not paid during the stand down period.<\/p>\n
However, during a suspension period, the employee remains entitled to all rights of their employment contract, except the right to attend work to undertake work duties.<\/p>\n
An alternative to suspension could include redeploying the employee into another area, if the conduct is not of the most serious kind and or if the employer has an alternative site or role available.<\/p>\n
Suspension should only be utilised in the most serious situations, where the only appropriate next step would likely be termination of employment.<\/p>\n
As such, appropriate circumstances leading to a suspension of an employee generally include accusations of serious misconduct such as defined in Regulation 1.07(2) of the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth):<\/p>\n
Generally, it is appropriate for an employee to be suspended at the beginning of a workplace investigation, although the employee can be suspended during the course of the investigation if it becomes apparent that their presence is or could be interfering with the investigation.<\/p>\n
During a period of suspension, an employee is generally asked to keep away from the workplace, colleagues and clients of the business. If they are on full pay then they are generally not entitled to conduct any outside of work employment without the employers consent.<\/p>\n
Although a suspension may be the precursor of a final dismissal once the investigation has been finalised, employees who have been suspended remain entitled to a number of rights, including:<\/p>\n
Suspending an employee from the workplace is a serious intrusion on their employment and personal rights. It is essential that employers ensure that all criteria of appropriate conduct are met, in order to avoid a situation where it may be argued that the suspension amounted to a constructive dismissal. Ensuring procedural fairness, transparency and clarity in the process will assist with this objective.<\/p>\n
If you require assistance with a workplace investigation where an employee has been suspended, contact us. We provide full independent and transparent investigation services, or supported investigations where we offer advice and guidance as you compete the process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n