Employees are uncomfortable with disciplinary action such as an employee reprimand. They are uncomfortable when their manager tells them that their performance warrants a verbal warning, the final step before written disciplinary action begins.
From a manager's perspective, why don't employees just improve their performance as the severity of the disciplinary action progresses? An effective, communicative disciplinary action process should keep the employee informed and accountable every step of the way. Right?
Many managers dislike the disciplinary portion of their job more than anything else. In fact, in studies, managers rank firing an employee at the top of the list of actions in which they most hate to play a part.
Heck, I don't even like writing about disciplinary action except that, taken appropriately, it can create a winning situation. Done poorly, negative feelings will magnify and persist.
From a company perspective, an employee reprimand demonstrates that the company was working with the employee to help him or her improve. At the same time, the company documented its increasing unhappiness with the employee's performance. The written employee reprimand shows that the employee was also informed of the performance problems and their consequence if they remained uncorrected.
Disciplinary action such as an employee reprimand can be a win-win if the employee heeds the message. If they do not, the company and the manager have effectively protected their interests - and the interests of employees who are performing satisfactorily.
Issues to Consider in an Employee Reprimand
As a communication tool with employees an employee reprimand must be fair. Employers need to make certain that they are using the tool appropriately and that certain conditions exist for its use.
- Employee job descriptions must exist that spell out the area of performance for which the employee is receiving the reprimand.
- The employee reprimand must be congruent with the disciplinary action process described in the employee handbook,
- Company past practices, in similar situations with other employees, are consistent with the current employee reprimand, and
- The degree of disciplinary action taken fits the employee performance issues.
An employee reprimand, used appropriately, can help an employee improve his or her performance and rejoin the ranks of performing employees. Here's how to write an employee reprimand.
Image Copyright Nikolay Mamluke
Sample Employee Reprimands
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