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England & Walesdisciplinary

Disciplinary Outcome Letter — Warning (England & Wales)

This is a static, verified master template. AI never generates the clause text below — it only helps you fill in the variable fields after you sign in.

About this template

A written warning letter confirms a disciplinary warning after a hearing — setting out the concern (misconduct or performance), the warning given, what needs to change, how long the warning lasts, and any right of appeal. This is specifically the warning outcome; to confirm a dismissal or another outcome, use the disciplinary outcome letter. It's based on the ACAS disciplinary letters and sits within Verstia's Disciplinary process pack.

When to use it
To confirm a written warning to an employee after a disciplinary hearing.
What's included
Fill-in fields for the employee, the concern, the warning and how long it stays live, the improvement expected, and appeal rights.

This document's core is based on a template published by ACAS (inferred to be under OGL-3.0, from ACAS's site-wide licensing notice — not a template-specific statement). Verstia does not claim this text is approved by ACAS — its fidelity to the source is verified by a deterministic diff, not a legal review.

Template preview
NOTICE OF DISCIPLINARY OUTCOME LETTER: WARNING

letter date

Dear employee name,

You attended a disciplinary hearing on hearing date. I am writing to inform you of your [is_first_written_warning => "written warning" / else "final written warning"].

[If has_disregard_period:] This warning will be placed in your personal file but will be disregarded for disciplinary purposes after disregard period months months, provided your improvement condition.

a) The nature of the unsatisfactory conduct or performance was misconduct details.

b) The conduct or performance improvement expected is improvement expected.

c) The timescale in which the improvement is required is improvement timescale.

d) The likely consequence of further misconduct or insufficient improvement is a further disciplinary procedure that could lead to further consequence.

You have the right of appeal against this decision in writing to appeal contact name within appeal window days days of receiving this disciplinary decision.

Yours sincerely,

manager signature

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This is a process template, not legal advice. If the underlying case involves discrimination, whistleblowing, or other complex facts, get independent legal advice before you proceed.
This document is provided as a template for information purposes and is not legal advice.
For advice on a specific situation, consult a qualified adviser or Acas (acas.org.uk).
Variables you will fill in
  • Letter datedaterequired
  • Employee nametextrequired
  • Date of the disciplinary hearingdaterequired
  • Is this a first written warning? (unchecked = final written warning)booleanrequired

    ACAS's own template offers this as a single either/or choice — a final written warning is normally reserved for a case where a live first written warning already exists, or where the matter is serious enough to justify skipping straight to a final warning.

  • State a disregard period for this warning? (optional)boolean
  • Disregard period (months, if applicable)number
  • Condition for disregarding the warning (e.g. "conduct improves")text
  • Nature of the unsatisfactory conduct or performancetextarearequired
  • Conduct or performance improvement expectedtextarearequired
  • Timescale for improvementtextrequired
  • Likely consequence of further misconduct/insufficient improvement (e.g. "a final written warning", "dismissal")textrequired
  • Name of the person handling the appealtextrequired
  • Appeal window (days)numberrequired

    ACAS's own template recommends 5 working days; ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures requires a right of appeal to be offered.

  • Manager / employer name (signatory)textrequired
Related
Part of the Disciplinary Process Pack (England & Wales) — see all documents and the step-by-step guide
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between this and the disciplinary outcome letter?
This letter is specifically for a warning outcome. The disciplinary outcome letter covers all three outcomes (no action, a sanction, or dismissal).
Is this template free?
Preview and fill-in are free (watermarked); a clean download needs a paid plan or pack.
Is it legally accurate?
A faithful, diff-verified reproduction of the ACAS source (deterministic diff, not a legal review, not ACAS-approved). General information, not legal advice.

This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on a specific situation, consult a qualified adviser or Acas (acas.org.uk).