Progressive Discipline

Progressive discipline is a process for dealing with job-related behavior that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards. The primary purpose for progressive discipline is to assist the employee to understand that a performance problem or opportunity for improvement exists. The process of progressive discipline is not intended as employee punishment, but assists the employee to overcome performance problems and satisfy job expectations. Progressive discipline is most successful when it assists an individual to become an effectively performing member of the organization. Failing that, progressive discipline enables the organization too fairly, and with substantial documentation, terminates the employment of employees who are ineffective and unwilling to improve.

Today, organizations are perhaps more diverse than they have ever been before. Unfortunately, the media is full of examples of organizations and individuals faced with the costly effects of discrimination. Any situation in which a group or individual is treated unfavorably based on prejudice, usually against their membership of a socially distinct group or category causes discrimination. Such causes usually include having a predetermined view on someone because of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, and disability. This paper will discuss the methods used by employers to create a non-discriminatory work environment and the laws surrounding them.

Clear policies for hiring, promoting, and terminating employees

All companies should have policies regarding hiring, promoting, and terminating employees to assure a non-discriminatory work environment. When an employer is looking to hire new employees, promote existing employees, or terminate employees, the employer must be aware of the discrimination laws protected by Civil Rights Act.

Employers have many options when hiring new employees that do not violate Title VII provisions such as eligibility and pre-employment...