YEAR 2024 No 3

ISSN 2182-9845

Scope and limits of discretionary power of the Public Administration in the exercise of disciplinary power in the context of public employment

Bárbara Magalhães / Rosana Costa

Keywords

Discretionary; Disciplinary Power; Disciplinary Infraction; Common Disciplinary Procedure; Public Employment Relationship.

Abstract

The present work aims primarily at analyzing the scope and limits of discretion in the exercise of disciplinary power in the context of public employment.
In this sense, administrative discretion can be defined as the power granted by a competence norm to the Public Administration, allowing it to decide, based on its own judgments and evaluations, ultimately, on the best course of action in a specific situation. However, the administration's choice will always be guided by criteria provided by the general principles and rules of law (in particular, the principles of equality, impartiality, and proportionality). Thus, administrative discretion is present in all branches of Administrative Law and in the realm of disciplinary power in public employment, it is no exception, as it would be practically impossible for the legislator to foresee all situations in which the Administration will have to act, and consequently, it was not possible to establish the best solutions to pursue the public interest.
Indeed, we understand that discretion appropriately accompanies the exercise of disciplinary power, not only in the context of disciplinary offenses but also in various stages of the disciplinary procedure, from its initiation. The administrative body has discretionary power to conduct an initial investigation of the facts to determine whether they indicate the commission of a disciplinary offense and consequently decide whether to initiate the procedure. However, if there is a clear indication of the existence of a disciplinary offense, it has the duty to initiate the disciplinary procedure until the final decision, which may or may not result in the imposition of a disciplinary sanction. This analysis is of utmost importance, as we must not forget that disciplinary power may conflict with the rights, freedoms, and guarantees of workers, potentially even leading to their restriction or elimination.

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