Before Acting, Ask Yourself These Questions

  • Is the employee aware of the policy or expected behavior?
  • Have I objectively gathered all the facts?
  • Has the employee had the opportunity to respond?
  • Am I responding quickly, consistently, and reasonably?
  • Has the employee been previously counseled?
  • Do prior performance evaluations substantiate the employee's ongoing performance deficiencies?
  • Has progressive discipline been applied? If not, why not?
  • Is the case well documented?
  • Is the discipline reasonably related to the seriousness of the offense?