Employers know the use of progressive discipline helps an employee understand that a performance problem or opportunity for improvement exists and helps the employee overcome those performance problems and satisfy job expectations. It is most successful when it assists an individual to become an effectively performing member of the organization.

Failing that, progressive discipline enables the organization to fairly, and with substantial documentation, terminate the employment of employees who are ineffective and unwilling to improve. Organizations whose managers follow recognized documentation best practices are in a much better position to protest unwarranted unemployment claims.

There are five elements to all effective documentation of progressive discipline:

1. Date of the infraction

2. Details of the infraction  

3. Explanation of corrective action needed

4. Statement of next disciplinary steps  

5. Signature of the employee

Tammy Mullin