Unjust Dismissal in the Context of Organizational Justice

The issue of unjust dismissal is best understood by placing it in the broader context of a comprehensive model of organizational justice. This article presents such a model based on the application of two perceived principles of justice (balance and correctness) in an organization's pursuit of three goals (performance, community, and dignity), at three organizational levels (outcome, procedure, and system). For perceived fairness to exist, the system must be adequate at each level. The theory of organizational justice is applied to the creation, implementation, and interpretation of disciplinary policies and rules. The article concludes by providing prescriptive advice for the design and operation of discipline and discharge systems, based on the model presented, and suggests that they include written warnings, the opportunity of a hearing, the right to be represented, the right to appeal, and reinforcement of the system through a broad statutory framework.