Progressive Discipline

A system of escalating corrective actions to address employee misconduct or performance issues before termination is considered.

HR teams implement progressive discipline through verbal warnings, written notices, and performance improvement plans (PIPs). A structured approach ensures fairness and legal compliance.

What are the five steps of progressive discipline?

Progressive discipline is a structured process that escalates consequences to correct employee behavior. The five common steps are:

1. Verbal Warning – A casual but documented conversation about the issue.
   
2. Written Warning – A formal document outlining the problem and expected improvements.
   
3. Final Written Warning – A more serious warning with clear consequences for continued misconduct.
   
4. Suspension (with or without pay) – A temporary removal from duty to reflect on behavior.
   
5. Termination – If no improvement is seen, the employee may be let go.

Each step gives the employee a chance to improve before moving to the next stage.

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What are the rules of progressive discipline?

Progressive discipline should be:

• Consistent – Applied equally to all employees in similar situations.
  
• Documented – Every step must be recorded with dates, details, and employee acknowledgment.
  
• Clear and fair – Expectations, policies, and consequences should be communicated.
  
• Timely – Address issues as soon as they occur to maintain credibility.
  
• Legally compliant – Adhere to labor laws, company policies, and anti-discrimination rules.
  

The goal is correction, not punishment.