Jessica O'ConnorMore than half of workplace disciplinary investigations are taking longer than a month to resolve, raising legal and employee relations risks for employers, according to research from WorkNest.
A poll of HR professionals found that 53% of disciplinary cases exceed four weeks, with over a third (34%) typically lasting between four and eight weeks.
A further 15% of respondents said investigations regularly run for more than three months.
By contrast, only 12% of cases are completed within two weeks, while just 35% are resolved within two to four weeks.
The findings suggested slow and inconsistent handling of disciplinary processes is widespread across UK organisations, with delays potentially undermining the seriousness of workplace policies and exposing employers to legal claims.
Pete Sewell, senior employment law adviser and solicitor at WorkNest, said prolonged investigations can create significant risks for employers,
He added: “Disciplinary procedures are a fundamental employer’s policy that sets out the procedure both parties should expect when issues arise.
“When cases are delayed, this can be interpreted as waiving the seriousness of the issues and expose employers to legal claims from employees.”
The research also pointed to delayed escalation by managers as a key factor.
Six in 10 managers only involve HR after informal measures have failed, while a further 17% wait until misconduct becomes serious or a formal process is unavoidable.
A lack of management confidence appears to be the biggest barrier to prompt action, cited by 32% of HR professionals.
Nearly three in 10 (29%) also pointed to concerns over legal risk, while 21% said organisations avoid confrontation altogether.
Sewell concluded: “Disciplinary issues rarely improve with time, yet our findings suggest that in some circumstances, managers take too long in escalating matters.
“By the time matters are escalated, problems are often entrenched, relationships strained, and the process can become more complex, costly, and emotionally draining for everyone involved.”
