Progressive Discipline
Discipline is not something any manager wants to do but it is a skill that is important to be able to perform consistently and fairly.
While the traditional discipline is punitive and ineffective in improving employee behavior, progressive discipline is not based on punishment. Rather it features increasingly strict steps that supply feedback that can help employees correct their work behaviors.
This course is designed to help managers understand the concepts of progressive discipline and how to use it effectively.
After determining what discipline is and what the appropriate levels of discipline are, the course explains the typical steps of progressive discipline and how to use it to manage employee behavior and performance.
It also looks at the importance of minimizing discipline issues before they happen and the need to have a discipline policy in place.
The Learning Journey
First, we briefly look at two ways to minimize disciplinary issues: onboarding and performance management.
We also discuss discipline in relation to performance problems and misconduct.
Next, we determine appropriate levels of discipline, considering escalation and mitigating circumstances.
Then, we outline the necessary information to include in a discipline policy and look at ways to communicate the policy to all employees.
Next, we discuss progressive discipline and describe the steps of a progressive discipline process. We also explore the use of informal structured guidance for minor misconduct or performance issues.
Then, we look at the first step in a formal progressive discipline process — verbal warning — and determine ways to give the employee every opportunity to correct their behavior.
Next, we determine the information necessary to include in a written warning. Then we practice writing a written warning for a chosen scenario.
Then, we look at the elements that are included in a PIP: PIP goal, objectives, actions, PIP duration and measure of success.
In the last part of the training, we look at the termination process and a termination checklist for managers to ensure all actions have been taken. We then look at the termination meeting essentials.
Training Objectives
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Realize the importance of onboarding and performance management in minimizing disciplinary issues
- View discipline as a positive part of ensuring employee success
- Differentiate between performance problems and misconduct
- Decide appropriate levels of discipline, considering escalation and mitigating circumstances
- Outline the necessary information to include in a discipline policy
- List the methods to communicate a discipline policy
- Define a progressive discipline process
- Describe the steps of a progressive discipline process
- Use informal structured guidance for minor misconduct or performance issues
- List supports that can be provided to improve the success of employees
- Perform verbal warnings, written warnings, performance improvement plans, and terminations
Course Outline
Session 1: Overview
- Learning Objectives
- Pre-Assignment
- Pre-Training Assessment
Session 2: Minimizing Disciplinary Issues
- Onboarding
- Onboarding Topics
- Performance Management
- The Shared Management Model
Session 3: Discipline
- What is Discipline?
- Disciplinary Issues
- Poor Performance and Misconduct
- Appropriate Level of Discipline
Session 4: Discipline Policy
- Creating The Policy
- Discipline Policy Elements
- Communicating the Policy
Session 5: Progressive Discipline
- Progressive Discipline
- The Four-Step Progressive Disciplinary System
- Progressive Discipline Processes
- Informal Structured Guidance
- Informal Guidance Supports
Session 6: Step 1 - Verbal Warning
- Verbal Warning
- Detailed Step One: Verbal Warning
- Verbal Warning Role Play
Session 7: Step 2 - Written Warning
- Written Warning
- Escalating Discipline
- Written Warning Scenarios
Session 8: Step 3 - Performance Improvement Plan
- What is a Performance Improvement Plan?
- Escalating Discipline
- Case Study: Developing Improvement Goals
Session 9: Step 4 - Termination
- Termination
- The Termination Meeting
- Termination Meeting Role Play
Session 10: Personal Action Plan
- Starting Point
- Key Things I Learned
- What I Want to Improve on the Job
- How I Will Do It
- Summary