Nonpunitive discipline- discipline without punishment, usually involving a system of oral warnings and paid “decision-making leaves” in lieu of more traditional punishment.
Here is how it works:
- Issue an oral reminder: The goal is to get the employee to agree to avoid future infractions.
- Should another incident arise within 6 weeks, issue a formal written reminder, a copy of which is placed in the employee’s personnel file. In addition, hold a second private discussion with the employee, again without any threats.
- Give a paid, 1 day “decision making leave.” if another incident occurs in the next 6 weeks or so, tell the employee to take a 1-day leave with pay, and to stay home and consider whether the job is right for him or her and whether he or she wants to abide by the company’s rules. When the employee returns to work, he or she meets with you and gives you a decision regarding whether or not he or she will follow the rules.
- If no further incidents occur in the next year or so, purge the 1-day paid suspension from the person’s file. If the behavior reoccurs, typically the next step is dismissal.