The appeal hearing is a review of the decision to dismiss. The hearing will be conducted by a panel of three senior managers who have no prior involvement in the case. Where appropriate, the panel will include an academic representative.

Before the appeal hearing

• HR will provide ten days' notice of the hearing date. The hearing is typically scheduled within 30 working days of the appeal being submitted.
• All parties must submit any written submissions and evidence to HR at least five working days before the hearing. This ensures all documents can be exchanged and reviewed in advance.

At the appeal hearing

The hearing follows a clear, structured process to ensure fairness. A representative from HR will support WHO

• The Chair of the appeal panel will begin by introducing everyone present and explaining their roles.
• The employee and/or their representative will present their grounds for appeal and any supporting evidence.
• The manager who made the original decision will present the reasons why that decision was taken.
• The appeal panel may ask questions of all parties as needed. If new facts emerge, or there is a dispute over facts, it may be necessary to adjourn the hearing to allow the matters to be investigated. Any new evidence will be shared with all parties in advance of the reconvened hearing.

The decision and final outcome

Once the panel has all the necessary evidence, everyone else will withdraw to allow the panel to consider its decision in private. The panel may announce the decision verbally after an adjournment, though the chair may choose to take more time for reflection and consideration.

The panel's decision will be one of the following:

• To uphold the original decision to terminate the employee's contract.
• To overturn the dismissal and instruct that further consideration be given to reasonable adjustments.

The outcome of the appeal is final, with no further internal right of appeal. The panel's final decision, and the reasons behind it, will be sent to the employee in writing within five working days of the hearing. The original dismissal remains in effect while the appeal is pending.