Careers Succeeding at Work Progressive Discipline Warning Form Print vm / Getty Images Succeeding at Work Human Resources Employment Law Job Search Resources Hiring Best Practices Glossary Employee Motivation Employee Management Management Careers Management & Leadership Employee Benefits By Susan M. Heathfield Susan M. Heathfield Susan Heathfield is an HR and management consultant with an MS degree. She has decades of experience writing about human resources. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 07/31/19 Disciplinary action is sometimes necessary when an employee's behavior is negatively impacting his or her work or his or her co-workers' work. In general, making the workplace less effective, harmonious, or productive is enough reason for an employer to begin progressive disciplinary action. The discipline warning is a tool that an employer uses to get an employee's attention. A series of meetings between the employee and their manager have generally been held before the disciplinary action form comes into play. During these meetings, the manager coached and counseled the employee in an effort to help the employee to improve his or her performance. The disciplinary action is taken when the result of these meetings is not improved employee performance. Employers hope that by documenting the poor performance and the suggestions for improvement that they will get the employee's attention in a way that counseling has not achieved. Employers need to remember that while other employees may know that the employee receiving a disciplinary warning is in trouble—usually because the employee tells them—they must honor employee confidentiality. From the employer's perspective, no communication with staff can occur. Preparing the Disciplinary Action Form The disciplinary warning form is prepared before the manager and the employee meeting. It is usually written with the assistance of Human Resources staff who are experienced in documenting employee performance. A form similar to this sample is used or a formal letter is written to the employee. Either work. Managers may only have to write a disciplinary warning every few years and so they are inexperienced in the practice. HR, on the other hand, monitors all employee disciplinary action. HR staff ensures that employees are treated fairly, ethically and similarly for the same transgressions. They ensure the legality of the write-ups and often run them by an employment law attorney for advice. When the manager schedules the disciplinary action meeting, it is also customary for the HR staff `person to attend. HR serves as a witness and also steps in when the manager loses his way. This is normal when managers lack experience in formal disciplinary procedures. You can train your managers to help them become more proficient in their handling of these meetings. However, in better, well-run workplaces that have effective hiring practices in place, managers will still only need to rarely practice this skill. This disciplinary warning form documents the discipline warning. This disciplinary warning form also documents and records the coaching or counseling discussion that accompanied the discipline warning. Following the disciplinary action, you need to provide the employee with an opportunity to respond in writing to the disciplinary action taken. This is placed in the employee file with this form. If your manager has effectively communicated the progression of employee discipline, this is rarely offered by an employee. Progressive Discipline Sample Warning Form Employee Name:_____________________________ Date:_______________________________ Department:_________________________ Reason for Disciplinary Action: (Check all that apply.) ___ Quality ___Productivity ___ Safety ____Conduct ___ Attendance ____ Insubordination ___ Housekeeping ___ Miscellaneous You are receiving this disciplinary warning because of the following actions. (Describe in detail in behavioral terms.) Unless this problem is corrected, further disciplinary action will be taken up to and including the termination of your employment. (Check the appropriate step in the progressive discipline policy.) _____ Written Verbal Warning _____ Written Warning _____ 1-Day Suspension OR _____ 3-Day Suspension OR _____ 5-Day Suspension OR _____ Employment Termination Supervisor’s Signature: __________________________________ Date: _______________ I have received this disciplinary action and understand that unless this problem is corrected, further disciplinary action will be taken up to and including the termination of my employment. Employee’s Signature: ___________________________________ Date: _______________ Human Resources Representative Signature: _________________ Date: _______________ Counseling Discussion Plan Describe the behavior that caused the need for this disciplinary action. Describe the outcome or result of this behavior. (How is productivity affected; work impacted; employees affected or inconvenienced; cost impacted as a result of the behavior, etc.) Describe the desired and expected behavior. Employee Statement. (Describe any assistance the employee needs to improve.) Please note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a world-wide audience and employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.