Discipline is the state of employee self-control and orderly conduct that indicates the extent of genuine teamwork within an organization. A necessary but often trying aspect of internal employee relations is the application of disciplinary action, which is invoking a penalty against an employee who fails to meet established standards.
The intention of DA should be to ensure that the recipient sees DA as learning experience rather than something that inflicts pain.
Three of the most important concepts are the hot stove rule, progressive disciplinary action, and disciplinary action without punishment.
Hot Stove Rule - disciplinary actions should have the following consequences which are similar to touching a hot stove:
1. Burns immediately - if DA is taken, it must occur immediately so individual will understand the reason for it
2. Provide warning - provide advance warning for unacceptable behavior. If closer to hot stove, heat warns them
3. Give
consistent punishment - DA consistent so everyone who performs the same act will be punished accordingly.
4. Burns impersonally - DA should be impersonal, stove burns anyone who touches it
Progressive DA - ensure minimum penalty appropriate to the offense is imposed. Developed in response to National Labor Relations Act
DA without Punishment - process of giving a worker time off with pay to think about whether he/she wants to follow the rules and continue working for company