Called to a domestic inquiry?
Your employer is holding a hearing that could decide whether you keep your job.
A domestic inquiry is the hearing your employer holds internally before dismissing you for alleged misconduct. How it is run can matter as much as what it decides.
What it means
It is an internal company hearing. A panel, usually managers or HR staff, reviews the allegation against you, hears the evidence and lets you respond before it recommends an outcome.
It is not a court process. It is still meant to follow the basic idea of a fair hearing, often called natural justice, before a serious decision such as dismissal.
Why it matters to you
How the inquiry was run can become part of your case later. A rushed hearing, a panel that seemed to have decided already, or no real chance to respond are all things a court can weigh.
A flawed inquiry does not decide your case by itself. It does strengthen an argument that the process, and not only the reason, was unfair.
What happens if you are called to one
Ask for the allegation in writing before the hearing. Ask for enough time to prepare your answer, so you are not replying on the spot under pressure.
Keep notes of what was said and by whom. These become useful evidence and documentation if the matter later moves toward a formal dismissal claim.
If the inquiry ends in dismissal, your 60-day window to challenge it starts running. Check the date on the deadline calculator as soon as you know the outcome.
If your employer held, or skipped, a domestic inquiry before dismissing you, an independent lawyer can review your dates and documents. They can take the claim forward if you have grounds.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.
Common questions
Can I bring someone with me to a domestic inquiry?
Practice varies by employer. Many allow a colleague or representative to attend, though lawyers are commonly barred from formally representing you at this internal stage. Ask for the employer's policy in writing beforehand.
What if my employer skipped this hearing entirely?
Skipping it does not automatically settle the case in your favour. It can support an argument that the process was unfair, which is one part of what the Industrial Court looks at if your case goes forward.
Keep reading
If your employer held, or skipped, a domestic inquiry before dismissing you, an independent lawyer can review your dates and documents. They can take the claim forward if you have grounds.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.