Progressive Discipline Advantages

While a progressive discipline system may seem like a high-maintenance way to control employee behavior, it does have definite advantages. For instance:

• The existence of a progressive step-by-step discipline system conveys to employees that you're not out to nail them to the wall at the first sign of trouble.
• The existence of an adequately communicated progressive disciplinary system keeps employees informed of where they stand.
• Having a definite and consistently applied disciplinary system ensures employees who never need to be disciplined that those who do need to be disciplined will be.
• A progressive discipline policy provides the business with a system that is fair and easily defensible against a challenge.

These advantages are compelling ones, especially for businesses trying to build and sustain high employee morale. As is true with most policies, though, there are also some disadvantages to progressive discipline.