Progressive discipline.

Abstract

A structured, stepwise approach to employee discipline is described in which penalties increase in severity if problems are not corrected. Managers should apply all disciplinary measures consistently and should comply with hospital, union, or personnel department procedures where applicable. The steps of progressive discipline include oral counseling, written warning notices, suspension without pay, and termination of employment. Disciplinary sessions should be documented and follow-up sessions should be held to evaluate progress. An oral counseling session should be held immediately after a problem appears and should include a specific description of the problem and its implications by the supervisor, an explanation and suggestions for correction by the employee, and agreement on a specific plan of action. If the problem persists, the manager should give a written warning notice and again discuss the problem and a specific plan of action. One or more suspensions for three or five days may be used, depending on policy and the manager's judgment. When firing an employee, the manager should review previous disciplinary measures and explain the institution's appeal process. If all disciplinary steps have been followed, the appeal should be denied. Use of the progressive discipline process encourages satisfactory employee performance. The specific steps ensure that employees are treated fairly, and documentation of the process supports the manager's action when an employee must be fired.