Documenting Discipline

Overview/Description
 Disciplinary action in the workplace is a delicate matter. A serious conflict between manager and worker can give rise to a lengthy grievance procedure, or, at worst, legal action. Detailed disciplinary documents are the best defense when a manager's actions are called into question. Without these documents there may be no record of a worker's repeated infractions or failure to satisfy job requirements. There may also be no evidence of a manager's attempt to deal with the worker in a fair and constructive manner. This course explains how documentation can make all the difference, and examines the potential fallout from failure to document. It also suggests steps for progressive documentation and explains what and how to document. This SkillSoft product has been reviewed by the Employment Practice Group of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green. As of the date reviewed, the content of this course is in compliance with federal law and court decisions. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, information in this course may become outdated.

Target Audience
 Anyone in a management capacity who may have disciplinary responsibilities

Expected Duration
2.5

Lesson Objectives:

Disciplinary Documentation

  • recognize the value of understanding the documentation process in progressive discipline.
  • associate goals of documenting disciplinary procedure with examples.
  • associate preliminary questions with mitigating factors before documenting disciplinary steps.
  • apply questions in given scenarios to determine whether to document acts, events, or performance issues as disciplinary matters.
  • match examples of ramifications of inadequate documentation with examples of inadequate documentation.

    • Procedures for Documenting Disciplinary Action

  • recognize the value of established procedures for progressive discipline in an organization.
  • sequence examples of progressive disciplinary actions.
  • apply the appropriate steps for progressive discipline.
  • select appropriate documentation of disciplinary action.
  • apply appropriate steps to document progressive disciplinary action given a hypothetical situation.


    • Course Number: HR0162