In all cases, dismissal must be preceded by a fair procedure (procedural fairness) and the dismissal must be effected for a fair reason (substantive fairness.) Procedural fairness will be achieved by the employer following the procedures in this course.
Substantive fairness means that there is a fair or valid reason for the employer to dismiss an employee. It relates to the procedure that was followed when dismissing an employee and the existence of the fair reason to dismiss. Substantive fairness is achieved by the employer proving that the employee actually failed to meet the work performance standard, despite having been given the necessary evaluation, counselling, training, and guidance and despite having been afforded a reasonable time period in which to attain and maintain the required standard.
Procedural fairness is also important. It means that the employer has followed a fair or proper procedure before dismissing the employee, even if is substantively fair.