A hearing before dismissal: what should be prepared?
A pre-dismissal hearing should be approached methodically: understand the employer’s concerns, collect relevant documents and present the full position before a final decision is made.
← All articlesA pre-dismissal hearing should be approached methodically: understand the employer’s concerns, collect relevant documents and present the full position before a final decision is made.
Review the invitation
Identify the specific allegations, the events or documents relied on and whether reasonable preparation time has been provided. If important details are missing, clarification can be requested before the hearing.
Prepare the factual record
Collect the employment agreement, payslips, reviews, correspondence and records relating to the issues raised. A short chronology and a focused response to each point can make the hearing clearer and more effective.
Representation and documentation
An employee may be assisted by a representative and, where appropriate, legal counsel. Key arguments and documents should be presented during the hearing and the process should be documented carefully.
After the hearing
The purpose of the hearing is to allow genuine consideration before a final decision. If dismissal or a material change in employment terms follows, the next steps should be assessed against the documents and circumstances.