Progressive Discipline and Progressive Discipline and Terminations with DignityTerminations with Dignity

Loretta SmithLoretta Smith

HRD847HRD847

Crucial Elements Of Crucial Elements Of Progressive DisciplineProgressive Discipline

Disciplinary actions are often resolved completely or reduced Disciplinary actions are often resolved completely or reduced when any of these elements are present.when any of these elements are present.

An associate should not be surprised by a termination. An associate should not be surprised by a termination.

They should have a prior warning unless it is a very serious They should have a prior warning unless it is a very serious offense that requires immediate separation. offense that requires immediate separation.

There eight essential elements need to be present at each step There eight essential elements need to be present at each step of progressive discipline and should be discussed with the of progressive discipline and should be discussed with the associate prior to taking disciplinary action.associate prior to taking disciplinary action.

8 Essential Elements of 8 Essential Elements of Progressive Discipline and TerminationsProgressive Discipline and Terminations

1. The employee is informed of the unacceptable behavior or performance in detail.

2. Provide them with specific work-related examples.

3. Don’t assume that the employee knows what the problem is.

4. Explain acceptable behavior or performance standards and give the employee reasonable time to comply.

5. This may be a longer time frame if a skill needs to be learned .

6. It may be a shorter time frame if it is a behavior to be changed.

7. The employee is informed of the consequences of failing to comply.

8. This is not a threat, rather it gives the employee reasonable expectations of the consequences if change does not occur.

TERMINATIONTERMINATION EMOTIONS EMOTIONS

Think for a moment about the loss of Think for a moment about the loss of one of your dear relatives or friends one of your dear relatives or friends through death - how did you feel? through death - how did you feel? That's exactly the same feeling that That's exactly the same feeling that people have when they suddenly and people have when they suddenly and unexpectedly lose their jobs.unexpectedly lose their jobs.

The Loss of Someone's job has an equal and similar impact on one's emotions as…

The Death of a Loved OneThe Death of a Loved One A Divorce or Long Term Relationship Breakup A Divorce or Long Term Relationship Breakup

Put Yourself in Their PlacePut Yourself in Their Place

Many managers, when faced with the challenge Many managers, when faced with the challenge of firing someone, forget, or are unaware of the of firing someone, forget, or are unaware of the emotions that are experienced by the person emotions that are experienced by the person being fired. Nor are they aware of the behavior being fired. Nor are they aware of the behavior that most often results from these emotions. that most often results from these emotions.

Five Stages of the “Grief Cycle". Five Stages of the “Grief Cycle".

1.1. Shock Shock

2.2. ResistanceResistance

3.3. Acceptance (of the current situation), Acceptance (of the current situation),

4.4. Exploration (of new opportunities), Exploration (of new opportunities),

5.5. Commitment (to a new future). Commitment (to a new future).

SHOCKSHOCK

RESISTANCERESISTANCE - often manifested as anger - often manifested as anger

ACCEPTANCEACCEPTANCEThe associate starts to accept the current situationThe associate starts to accept the current situation

ExplorationExplorationExplore new opportunities Explore new opportunities

When one door closes another one opensWhen one door closes another one opens

Commitment Commitment Confidence to make a commitment to the new futureConfidence to make a commitment to the new future

Two WaysTwo Ways to Maintain Dignity to Maintain Dignity

1. First, the person at all times must maintain his or her self esteem. 1. First, the person at all times must maintain his or her self esteem. This is one of the most basic and important needs that all people have. Impersonal terminations This is one of the most basic and important needs that all people have. Impersonal terminations

sends a clear message that they are not worthy of a face to face discussion.sends a clear message that they are not worthy of a face to face discussion.

Termination should never be done by Termination should never be done by TelephoneTelephone EmailEmail Texting Texting

2. 2. Secondly, it is our role and responsibility to help them progress through these Secondly, it is our role and responsibility to help them progress through these stages, particularly the first two that are likely to occur when they are still with us. stages, particularly the first two that are likely to occur when they are still with us.

It is vitally important to realize that all people will go through the five stages of the grief cycle It is vitally important to realize that all people will go through the five stages of the grief cycle (quite often at different paces) and as a manager, (quite often at different paces) and as a manager,

EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES ARE WATCHINGARE WATCHING One factor that is often overlooked when firing someone, is One factor that is often overlooked when firing someone, is

that the way it is done can have as much impact (positive or that the way it is done can have as much impact (positive or negative) on the people who remain. negative) on the people who remain.

They will be watching (and will invariably get a first hand They will be watching (and will invariably get a first hand report from their colleague) about how well the process was report from their colleague) about how well the process was managed. managed.

The people who remain in the organization, and whom you The people who remain in the organization, and whom you want to keep, get a good look at both the manager's and the want to keep, get a good look at both the manager's and the organization's real people management skills when under the organization's real people management skills when under the stress of firing someone. stress of firing someone.

They'll most certainly ask "Could this happen to me?"They'll most certainly ask "Could this happen to me?"

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE AND TERMINATION AND TERMINATION

WITH DIGNITY STEPSWITH DIGNITY STEPS Give warning Give warning Document, Document, Document! Document, Document, Document! Time it rightTime it right Prepare the paperworkPrepare the paperwork Don't go it alone (ensure you have someone from HR there)Don't go it alone (ensure you have someone from HR there) Ensure privacyEnsure privacy Be briefBe brief Watch your tone Watch your tone Seek feedbackSeek feedback Give a good send-offGive a good send-off

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS