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Every employer wants their employees to refine their skills and improve. That said, periods of growth are often accompanied by growing pains. As an employee moves forward, they're bound to make mistakes. How can you address workplace errors and other issues constructively as an employer? How can you discipline employees without hindering workplace relations?

The professionals at Suzanne Desrosiers Professional Corporation are here to help you learn progressive discipline within the workplace. Let us show you how to use errors or inappropriate behaviours as opportunities for growth within the workplace.

Bring you and your colleagues up to speed on progressive workplace discipline. Call us at (705) 268-6492 now to learn about training programs and webinars.

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What Is Progressive Discipline?

Progressive discipline refers to a disciplinary approach in which employers take less of a punitive approach to matters related to an employee's mistakes, poor conduct, or workplace errors. Progressive discipline encourages employers to offer constructive criticism, establish a dialogue at the first sign of error, and work to help the employee improve and avoid the same mistake in the future.

There are many benefits to the progressive discipline model. Constructive criticism and progressive discipline often result in employees feeling more inspired. They aim to do better for the benefit of themselves and everyone around them, rather than growing resentful or working hard for the wrong reasons.

Improved Workplace Communication

Establishing an open dialogue between employees and superiors is essential to a healthy work environment. Progressive disciplinary actions ensure that the lines of communication don't break when a superior has to take disciplinary action.

Would you like to learn more about progressive discipline? We can tell you everything you need to know during our webinar sessions, one-on-one consultations, or whatever format works best for you. Over the years, we've helped countless workplaces improve their employer-employee relations. We're confident we can do the same for you.

Master Progressive Discipline Practices

Progressive discipline differs from the disciplinary models from yesteryear. There is no need to excessively reprimand employees for minor infractions—in fact, the Canada Labour Code more than likely forbids it. What does progressive discipline look like, then? Here are the steps that an employer might take from the first instance to the final offense:

• Verbal warning during a private meeting
• Written warning
• Performance improvement plan
• Suspension without pay if the employment contract or the employment policies permit it
• Employee suspension with pay
• Termination

Following employee suspension comes employee termination, but that's an option people only wish to entertain during instances of extreme negligence on the part of a company employee. It is costly to terminate an employee in that you need to go through the hiring process and once a new employee is hired, they need to be provided training. This is not likely to generate income and the person that provides the training is taken away from their normal tasks.

Learn More About Progressive Discipline

Knowing how to address an employee's inappropriate behaviours is essential to a healthy work environment. When an employee knows that clerical mistakes and missteps will be met with compassion and appropriate consequence, they feel more comfortable pushing themselves into new and unfamiliar territory—the further an employee advances, the greater the reward for the company.

Take the progressive approach to workplace relations and disciplinary matters. Schedule a consultation by calling (705) 268-6492.