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TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE. Thomas R. Maloney 306 Warren Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 607-2551628 Email: trm5@cornell.edu People in Ag Webinar July 16, 2008. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE ARE CLOSELY TIED. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:.
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TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE Thomas R. Maloney 306 Warren Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 607-2551628 Email: trm5@cornell.edu People in Ag Webinar July 16, 2008
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: The daily process of working toward previously established performance expectations followed by a formal or informal evaluation
BUSINESS DIRECTION GOALS PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS COACHING AND FEEDBACK APPRAISAL
Performance related issues are different from blatant disregard for the rules or the law
PERFORMANCE RELATED ISSUES • Poor quality • Poor productivity • Poor attendance • Ineffective interpersonal relationships
BREAKING RULES OR LAWS • Theft • Drugs in the workplace • Sexual harassment • Working under the influence of alcohol
Either the employer or the employee can terminate the relationship at any time for any reason “AT WILL” EMPLOYMENT
Given that many states are at will employment states why is there such a great fear of discharging an employee?
TWO EVENTS HAVE ERODED “AT WILL” EMPLOYMENT • An increase in protective legislation • The concept of an implied contract for: • Long term employment • Termination only for a good cause
Erosion of “at will” employment has increased the emphasis on documentation
PROGRESSIVE DICIPLINE DEFINED A progressive approach to discipline which defines unacceptable behavior and communicates the consequences of that behavior. The employee is involved in every step of the process
THE PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE APPROACH • Coaching • Verbal warning • Written warning • Termination
Much of the current discipline literature emphasizes documentation
THE KEY COMPONENTS FOR DOCUMENTING DISCIPINEThe E FOSA + System
E-FOSA + Expectations Facts (What, When, Where, Where) Objectives (Define Expectations) Solutions (Methods to Improve Performance) Action (Consequences) + create opportunities for employee to succeed Source: Paterson & Debleax, Documenting Discipline, Fourth Edition
THREE PRACTICAL BOOKS • The Progressive Discipline Handbook by Margerie Mader-Clark and Lisa Guerin • Documenting Discipline, Fourth Edition by Lee T. Paterson and Mike Deblieux • 101 Sample Write Ups for Documenting Employee Performance Problems by Paul Falcone