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Disciplinary Letter
"I need a disciplinary letter for an employee with 3 years of service, detailing a recent policy violation, outlining corrective actions, and specifying a 60-day improvement period with bi-weekly progress reviews."
What is a Disciplinary Letter?
A Disciplinary Letter is a formal written warning that Saudi employers issue to employees who violate workplace rules or fail to meet performance standards. It serves as an official record of misconduct and outlines specific improvements needed, following the guidelines set by the Kingdom's Labor Law.
Under Saudi regulations, employers must document disciplinary actions properly before taking more serious steps like termination. The letter typically details the violation, references relevant company policies, and specifies consequences for further infractions. It protects both parties by creating a clear paper trail and giving employees a chance to correct their behavior.
When should you use a Disciplinary Letter?
Use a Disciplinary Letter when an employee's behavior requires formal documentation under Saudi labor laws. Common triggers include repeated tardiness, unauthorized absences, poor performance after verbal warnings, violations of company policies, or misconduct that disrupts the workplace.
Timing matters—issue the letter promptly after the incident while maintaining proper documentation. Saudi employers need this paper trail before escalating to serious disciplinary actions like suspension or termination. The letter protects your organization legally while giving employees a clear chance to improve their conduct and meet expectations.
What are the different types of Disciplinary Letter?
- Warning Letter For Disciplinary Action: Initial formal notice for minor infractions, giving employees a chance to improve
- Employee Suspension Letter: Temporary removal from duties pending investigation or as intermediate disciplinary measure
- Disciplinary Action Letter: Documents specific violations and outlines required corrective actions
- Demotion Letter To Employee: Reduces employee's role or responsibilities due to performance issues
- Gross Misconduct Dismissal Letter: Final termination notice for serious violations of company policy or Saudi labor laws
Who should typically use a Disciplinary Letter?
- HR Managers: Draft and issue Disciplinary Letters, ensure compliance with Saudi labor laws, and maintain proper documentation
- Department Supervisors: Report violations, provide evidence of misconduct, and recommend disciplinary actions
- Legal Teams: Review letter content, verify compliance with Saudi regulations, and advise on potential legal implications
- Employees: Receive and acknowledge letters, have rights to respond, and must comply with outlined corrective actions
- Labor Ministry Officials: May review letters during disputes or inspections to ensure proper disciplinary procedures
How do you write a Disciplinary Letter?
- Document Incidents: Gather detailed records of violations, including dates, times, and witness statements
- Review Policies: Check company handbook and Saudi labor laws to confirm the violation and appropriate sanctions
- Collect Evidence: Compile performance reviews, previous warnings, and relevant communication records
- Verify Facts: Confirm all incident details with supervisors and witnesses before drafting
- Use Our Platform: Generate a legally-compliant Disciplinary Letter template that includes all required elements under Saudi law
- Final Check: Review for accuracy, proper Arabic translation if needed, and ensure all referenced policies are current
What should be included in a Disciplinary Letter?
- Employee Details: Full name, employee ID, position, department, and work location
- Incident Description: Specific details of the violation, including date, time, and location
- Policy Reference: Exact company rules or Saudi Labor Law articles that were violated
- Previous Warnings: Documentation of prior disciplinary actions, if any
- Corrective Actions: Clear expectations for improvement and timeline
- Consequences: Specific penalties for non-compliance or future violations
- Acknowledgment Section: Space for employee signature, date, and right to appeal statement
- Official Signatures: HR manager and department head endorsements with company stamp
What's the difference between a Disciplinary Letter and a Disciplinary Action Notice?
A Disciplinary Letter differs significantly from a Disciplinary Action Notice in several key ways, though both deal with workplace misconduct. While they may seem similar at first glance, understanding their distinct purposes and legal implications in Saudi Arabia is crucial for proper HR management.
- Legal Weight: A Disciplinary Letter serves as a formal warning and creates a documented history for potential termination, while a Notice is typically a preliminary step that may not carry the same legal significance
- Content Detail: Disciplinary Letters contain comprehensive details about violations, consequences, and improvement plans, whereas Notices often serve as brief initial alerts
- Timing and Process: Letters usually follow after verbal warnings or Notices, forming part of a progressive discipline system under Saudi labor laws
- Response Requirements: Disciplinary Letters often require formal acknowledgment and signed response from employees, while Notices may not demand this level of documentation
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