Wednesday, 16 October 2013

All About Employee Discipline And The Written Warning

By Gregory Covey


It's certainly a difficult meeting once the subject is about disciplinary conduct, so comprehending the rules of conduct is vital. All this is dependent on the issue at hand, really. For example, poor conduct, poor performance or perhaps a blatant disrespect of the the guidelines all require disciplinary action, but each of a different nature. The accusations should determine the process, for example, whether to suspend the worker, with or without pay to complete the investigation. Regardless of the situation, an itemized written warning letter is important to start the process.

Arrange for a manager or supervisor to conduct an investigation about the details. This might involve interviewing witnesses, getting signatures on statements, and checking proof, like emails, etc. In a smaller company there might not be a second manager, so it could be up to the one.

Examining the rule book is key to ensuring the investigation is lawful. One must examine which rules were tampered with or flat out broken. Ensure there were no other disciplinary warnings issued to the employee. Do not forget to mention the purpose of the meeting and what allegations are against them. Also, state that they have a right to be accompanied by a witness.

If there are statements from witnesses, attach a copy of each to the letter. Organize for somebody neutral to take notes and once the individual arrives, reiterate that it's a disciplinary meeting and that they possess certain rights. If there is no companion, make note of it. Clarify the roles of those present, with the manager representing the business, the note taker, the employee, the companion.

Follow-up with the allegations and any existing evidence. Create an atmosphere where a calm discussion is held, all the while with the employee allowed to comment. Take into consideration any evidence the employee has presented and ensure the companion is questioned and asked to comment. When the matter is completely discussed, adjourn the meeting and consider everything. Don't forget to consider the person's employee history before when reaching the decision.

The meeting ought to be reconvened within a few days. Obviously if there's new evidence stated during the meeting, time ought to be allocated to help investigate it. Otherwise, tell the worker under consideration that there was a decision made. Obviously, he/she has every right to an appeal. Instructions ought to be written verifying the choice, along with the disciplinary warning, a demotion, suspension, or regardless, of the decision. Confirmation of no disciplinary sanction, if this is the case, ought to be clearly stated as well.

Attach any notes from the meeting, and make sure the letter tells of the right to appeal and how. Prompt and suitable disciplinary action can frequently nip a situation in the bud, preventing poor habits from forming, which could ultimately harm team spirit and the culture of the organization.

Sure this may appear overwhelming, but help exists. Obviously there's a HR department to go to. You will find good examples of warning letters available on the web. Make sure to implement an written warning procedure if it's not already existing.




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