Discipline for Bad Attitudes in the Workplace

Full Video Transcript

Have you ever worked with someone who had a bad attitude? If so, then you know how much a co-worker’s negativity, inappropriate behavior, or downright nastiness can affect your work performance. Problem employees may be dealt with in a variety of ways, including counseling, discipline, and even termination. Many employers have started using a progressive discipline policy in an effort to help correct problem behavior and document the employer’s efforts when the problem can’t be solved and the employee must be terminated. Progressive discipline usually begins with a verbal warning, then moves to written warnings, performance coaching, and, if the problems continue, suspension or termination. The benefit of using such a progressive discipline policy is that it may protect a company against claims of biased treatment or wrongful discharge by following a pattern of progressively responding to the problems. Also, employee handbooks should define the kind of professional conduct expected of employees and how attitude problems will be dealt with under the discipline policy.