Four weeks later Alison arrives for work 20 minutes late. Julie holds an investigation meeting with her, and Alison admits she overslept. Julie decides to refer the matter to a disciplinary hearing following the same procedure as before.

Joanne holds the disciplinary hearing on 26 August and issues Alison with a final written warning for this further act of misconduct. Joanne confirms her decision in writing and notes that the final written warning will expire in one year’s time. On this occasion, Joanne confirms that, as Alison now has a final written warning, any further acts of misconduct may result in further disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Six months later there is a further incident between Alison and Holly. Holly has complained that some paperwork appeared to be missing and she asked Alison if she had seen it. Holly has alleged that Alison then shouted at her saying she was looking at it but if Holly wanted to do it, then fine. At that point, Holly alleged that Alison pushed the paperwork towards her causing it to fall to the floor. Alison then left to go on her break, leaving Holly to pick the papers up from the floor.

Julie has an investigation meeting with both Holly and Alison. Alison denies that she has done anything wrong and says she passed the papers to Holly because she asked for them and Holly then dropped them. Alison denies shouting at Holly, but admits she would have been speaking loudly as that is the way she is. Julie reviews the CCTV footage, which appears to show Alison pushing the papers towards Holly and the papers then falling to the floor.

Julie decides there is a disciplinary case to answer and refers the matter to a disciplinary hearing. On this occasion, the disciplinary invite letter also confirms that a potential outcome of the disciplinary hearing could be her dismissal.

During the disciplinary hearing, Alison admits telling Holly that if she wanted to do the paperwork then she could, and accepts that she would have been loud as that is her natural voice. She denies pushing the papers and causing them to fall on the floor.