Dismissal letter (disciplinary outcome) template
A dismissal letter confirms in writing the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, whether that is no action, a disciplinary sanction or dismissal. For a dismissal it gives the last day of service, the reasons, how notice is dealt with, and the right of appeal. It is sent after the hearing, once the decision has been made.
Adapted from Acas (1 April 2025). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What changes each time
11 values. Everything else is your wording, kept exactly.
The hearing and the outcome
- Employee's name
- Disciplinary hearing date
- Outcome
- Last day of service
- Reasons for dismissal
Notice
- Notice on dismissal
- Weeks of notice
Appeal and signature
- How to appeal
- Appeal address
- Working days to appeal
- Manager's name
The rules it usually needs
Written in plain English when the template is set up.
- One of several wordings
“Outcome: no further action, disciplinary action, or dismissal.”
The decision email said dismissal, so the dismissal wording, with the last day and the reasons, was used.
- Only when…
“The notice paragraph appears only when the outcome is dismissal.”
A dismissal, so the notice paragraph is in; for no action or a warning it would be left out.
- One of several wordings
“Notice: worked notice, pay in lieu of notice, or summary dismissal for gross misconduct.”
The manager said he would not work his notice, so the pay in lieu wording was used, with the 5 weeks from the payroll note.
One worked example, start to finish
The dismissal letter (disciplinary outcome) in DocuWeave, from upload to approval.
1The document uploaded
The Acas disciplinary outcome letter (dismissal, disciplinary action or no action), a Word file, uploaded as it is.
- 2
The template it became
It found 6 sections and 12 values and asked 4 questions; a notice paragraph was added for dismissals only.
3The paperwork dropped in
The hearing notes, the manager's decision email and payroll's final-pay note.
4What was found, with sources
All 13 values filled from the paperwork, each with the passage it came from.
5What it asked
One question: the notes and the email gave the reasons in different words.
6The approved output
Approved, with Word and PDF downloads of exactly what was approved.
A free dismissal letter (disciplinary outcome) to download
- Dismissal letter, filled with fictional details (Word)
- Dismissal letter, filled with fictional details (PDF)
Use it as it is, or upload it to DocuWeave and make it a template.
DocuWeave is not a law firm. A general template for common situations in England and Wales. It is not tailored to you and we do not update it when the law changes, so check it suits your situation before you use it. Terms.
Adapted from Acas (1 April 2025). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Questions people ask
Does a dismissal have to be confirmed in writing?
The Acas Code of Practice says the employee should be told the decision in writing, with the reasons, and of their right to appeal. An employee with two years' service can also ask for a written statement of the reasons for dismissal.
What is the difference between dismissal with notice and summary dismissal?
With notice, the employee works their notice or is paid in lieu of it. Summary dismissal, for gross misconduct, ends employment at once without notice or pay in lieu.
How much notice does an employee get?
At least the statutory minimum: one week after a month's service, then one week per complete year of service up to twelve weeks, or the contractual notice if that is longer.
What should the letter say about appeals?
Who to appeal to, how, and by when. The Acas Code says an appeal should be heard without unreasonable delay and, where possible, by a manager not involved in the original decision.
Can I use my own dismissal letter instead?
Yes. Upload your own Word or PDF letter and DocuWeave turns it into a template in your wording.
Use this template
It opens in DocuWeave as a template you can check, change and publish. Nothing is used until you do.