Precautionary Suspension in the Workplace and the Employees’ Right to be Heard

Abstract

Adherence to disciplinary procedures to ensure fairness is a reality in modern times where employees and labour organisations are more cautious of their rights than in the past. Times have changed to such an extent that almost each and every labour sector have people whose concern is to see to it that employees are not unnecessarily treated unfairly. And that those employees who do not even know what their rights are to be sensitised, in order to protect them against employers who take advantage of them. This paper examines the rights of employees in the public sector regarding the right to be heard before precautionary suspension can be implemented. The principle of audi alteram partem which simply means that (one must hear the other side before making a decision) should play a very critical role in determining whether or not to suspend before a disciplinary hearing commences.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n14p797