What is the goal of progressive discipline?

The goal of progressive discipline is primarily to change behavior and improve work ethic. This approach focuses on addressing issues in a constructive manner, allowing employees the opportunity to understand the behavior that is unacceptable and to make necessary changes. It typically involves a series of increasing consequences for repeated infractions, starting with verbal warnings and potentially escalating to more severe measures, such as suspension or termination.

By using progressive discipline, an organization fosters a supportive environment where employees can learn from their mistakes and have a chance to correct their behavior. This method emphasizes improvement and accountability, rather than immediate punishment. Over time, the focus is on guiding employees towards better performance and reinforcing positive work behaviors, which can ultimately enhance productivity and workplace morale.

In contrast, aiming to maintain strict policies or implementing strict penalties focuses more on enforcing rules without the opportunity for rehabilitative guidance. While documenting employee performance is an important component of the overall process, it serves a different purpose—primarily to create a record that can support both the organization and the employee throughout the disciplinary process.