Disciplinary / Grievance

Q: I am a delivery driver and I last week I wore a pink tie to work to raise awareness for Breast cancer. I was suspended by my boss for not wearing the correct uniform. Can he do this and what is the worst that could happen?

A: Your employer can dictate what you wear to work and could potentially discipline you for deviating from the rules. However your employer has to act reasonably. Based on what you have said, it would seem unfair for your employer to discipline you if this was the first time you had not worn the correct uniform, especially as your intentions were charitable. This matter could have been easily resolved by your employer asking you to remove the tie and wear the correct uniform in future. However, if you have a history of breaching your employer’s rules, not wearing the correct uniform and/or your employer asked you to remove the tie but you disregarded the instruction, then your employer could more easily justify issuing you with a disciplinary warning. I do not consider that this matter would warrant dismissing you, unless of course you have been repeatedly warned in the past for not following the rules.

Your employer should investigate and let you know whether it plans to address your actions informally or formally by invoking its disciplinary procedure. If you would like any more advice about this matter then please do get in touch!