The government pushed disciplinary processes into the spotlight last week, after the prime minister suspended four MPs over the welfare cuts legislation, and MP Diane Abbott over comments relating to racism. We asked HR professionals whether there’s a right way to discipline staff.
Four Labour MPs had their party whip removed last Wednesday (16 July), and now sit as independents. Three other Labour MPs had their trade envoy roles revoked, after voting against the government’s proposed welfare cuts.
A day later, Diane Abbott was suspended for a second time, after defending her past remarks about racism.
Is there a correct way to discipline staff?
Workplace suspension should always be a last resort, said Steven Beattie, managing director at HR advice service AceHR.
He told HR magazine: “There’s a clear distinction between how political parties discipline MPs and how organisations should manage employee conduct; the two shouldn’t be confused.
“Suspension, in a workplace context, should always be a last resort and only used where there’s a serious risk of further impact to the business, to colleagues, or the individual involved.
“Labour’s decision to remove the whip from MPs over 'repeated breaches of party discipline' might make sense in a political environment, but in most organisations, only potential gross misconduct would justify a similar response.”
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