FREE online courses on Employee Grievances and Discipline - Dismissal and Discharge

The end result of both the terms – discharge and dismissal – is same, that is, the employee's services stand terminated. In practical usage, both terms are therefore used interchangeably. Some minor differences, however, are worth mentioning here. While dismissal is a sort of punishment against alleged misconduct, discharge is not always a punishment. When the employer examines all background factors leading to the termination of services of an employee, he may simply discharge the employee instead of dismissing him. Dismissal has a negative connotation and carries a punitive label alongside. A person who is dismissed from service may find it difficult to find alternative employment, when compared to a person who is discharged from service. In case of discharge, the errant employee may be served a reasonable, advance notice. This is not so in the case of dismissal where the services are terminated immediately. In case of dismissal, the employer can withhold the dues payable to the employee whereas in case of discharge, usually all these are settled simultaneously. Finally, before dismissing an employee, the employer has to hold disciplinary proceedings (domestic enquiry) in a proper way. In case of discharge, he may or may not go for it.