| What do "Lap Dancing" Teachers, a small, select | | | | employee's commitment to comply with these |
| group of Winnipeg Police Officers and a | | | | requirements in the future. Finally, corrective |
| Greyhound Bus Driver all have in common? This | | | | discipline in the workplace must communicate the |
| might sound like the set-up line to a polite or | | | | consequences of future misconduct or |
| perhaps not so polite joke, even though in reality | | | | misbehavior. |
| all three are serious matters. | | | | Termination of employment is not typically the |
| The main thing these three situations have in | | | | employer's first response. Employers are |
| common is that each of the stories involves | | | | encouraged to apply a progressive approach |
| employees who were recently subjected to | | | | when corrective actions are required. This means |
| various forms of disciplinary action by their | | | | that lesser forms of corrective actions such as |
| employers. | | | | counseling, verbal warnings, written warnings and |
| In the case of the teachers, we saw a scenario in | | | | suspensions are typically applied before |
| which two relatively short-service teachers | | | | termination of employment occurs. Termination of |
| participated in what some people described as a | | | | employment is reserved for extremely serious |
| "Lap Dance". The activity occurred in a local school | | | | misconduct or where lesser forms of progressive |
| during a spirit week activity. With the click of a cell | | | | discipline have not been effective. |
| phone key pad, the offending conduct was | | | | Employers often experience difficulties when |
| captured on video and became global almost | | | | implementing corrective discipline for the following |
| instantaneously! The employer was unimpressed | | | | reasons: |
| and suspended the teachers. | | | | - The employer has not adequately investigated |
| In the case of a small number of police officers, | | | | or gathered all of the relevant facts before taking |
| we heard about select individuals who had | | | | corrective actions |
| committed various acts of misconduct, both on | | | | - Supervisors or managers are inexperienced or |
| and off the job, for which their employer took | | | | not well trained in the steps necessary to |
| disciplinary actions. | | | | implement corrective discipline |
| In the final case, we learned of a conscientious, | | | | - Important mitigating factors are often not |
| long-serving Greyhound bus driver whose | | | | identified or considered |
| employment was terminated following an in-coach | | | | - Corrective action interviews or meetings are |
| incident in northern Manitoba. | | | | handled poorly |
| In all three cases, the common denominator was | | | | - Collective agreement provisions (where |
| that the employer found aspects of the | | | | applicable) are ignored or applied incorrectly |
| employee's conduct unacceptable resulting in | | | | Improperly handled disciplinary actions can lead to |
| disciplinary actions being taken. | | | | conflict, disruption, poor employee relations and |
| These cases are useful to help understand how | | | | litigation. |
| employers often respond with disciplinary actions | | | | To reduce mishandling of disciplinary actions, I |
| when things go wrong in the workplace. | | | | recommend that employers develop |
| Employers typically apply disciplinary actions when | | | | comprehensive corrective action policies and |
| employee conduct "on", or in some cases "off" | | | | procedures and communicate them to all |
| the job, does not meet requirements or | | | | employees. Employers also need to train |
| expectations. When employee actions or | | | | supervisors and managers in the effective |
| behaviour are considered to be in violation of | | | | implementation of all aspects of corrective |
| employer policies, procedures, rules, or, where the | | | | actions, and to apply corrective actions |
| employee fails to meet the standard of care or | | | | consistently and equitably based upon the specific |
| performance required, corrective actions are | | | | circumstances of each unique case. |
| often applied. | | | | Implementing corrective action can be one of the |
| It is widely accepted that disciplinary actions | | | | toughest and most unpleasant tasks supervisors |
| should be corrective and not punitive in nature. | | | | and managers are required to perform. Proper |
| The objectives are to draw the offending or | | | | training, support and communication are essential |
| improper behavior or conduct to the employee's | | | | to ensure that these actions are handled properly, |
| attention, let the employee know the expected or | | | | with dignity and respect for all participants. |
| required behavior or conduct, and to seek the | | | | |