How to have a legally-compliant ‘disciplinary’ policy that doesn’t shame, blame or punish

This RadHR guide supports progressive and non-hierarchical organisations in building a disciplinary procedure that meets legal requirements whilst avoiding shame, blame, and punitive approaches. It covers the relevant law, critiques of standard disciplinary frameworks (including problems with hierarchy, impartiality, and conflating conduct with capability), and practical alternatives such as non-punitive written warnings and treating addiction as a welfare rather than disciplinary matter. The guide is particularly useful for small charities and collectives seeking to embed collective accountability and restorative values into formal HR processes.