Prograssive Discipline For A Prograssive Workforce

What is 'progressive discipline' and how are organisations implementing it?

"Progressive discipline is a topic of concern today between employees and their employers. However, its ramifications, in the larger context, can have farreaching consequences, even to the extent of impacting organisational goals. The primary purpose of progressive discipline is to assist the employee towards understanding that an opportunity for improvement exists. At ATS, care is taken right from the time an employee comes for his/her first interview, which has a bearing on this aspect. It is during the interview process where the candidate learns that he/she has to live up to the expectations of the organisation and maintain a high level of progressive discipline," explains Lt. Gen HS Bagga, (Retd) corporate head – administration & HR, ATS Group. Career News helps you to gather all your instinct to behave and learn the work place mannerism in your organization.

According to Mukesh Goyal, CEO, IKF Technologies Ltd., "The term, 'progressive discipline' can be broadly defined as a process for dealing with job-related behaviour that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards. At IKF, we follow a feedback mechanism wherein we have a periodic review system in place - a platform where an open interaction takes place for exchange of ideas for performance improvement." Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari (India) expresses, "In today's times, you do not sack an employee on any given opportunity. Bureaucracy doesn't exist anymore. I think progressive discipline gives you an opportunity to test your employee's capability at its fullest before taking any firm decisions. On the other hand, it also offers an opportunity for an employee to give his/her best shot and showcase his/her seriousness towards work."
Many organisations are taking a proactive approach towards solving employee performance problems by using progressive discipline. This benefits, both employers and employees in many ways. "A proper progressive discipline plan ensures regular communication and timely intervention from the organisation to correct employee behaviour at the first sign of things not going right. It helps organisations achieve higher performance and productivity from their employees, while enhancing employee morale and retention by demonstrating that there are rewards for good performance and consequences for poor performance," states Bagga.
"It keeps employees informed about what the company expects out of them and where they stand vis-a-vis that expectation. Effectively used, progressive discipline helps an organisation identify the strengths and weaknesses of an employee and thus, get best results out of its workforce," adds Goyal.

So, how should organisations go about implementing progressive discipline at the workplace? Although progressive discipline as a practical matter is nearly universal, the manner in which employers communicate and apply progressive discipline varies greatly. "At ATS, remedial measures encompass a wholesome process covering various aspects. However, before embarking on the corrective methodology, the employer needs to look inwards to see that the malady has not occurred as a result of inadequate motivational aspects. We very clearly spell out the targets that are to be achieved and there is a monitoring system in place, which is tracked on a monthly basis. Where an individual fails to achieve without a cogent reason, he/she is counselled and a repetitive failure renders a candidate to harsher action," shares Bagga.

Implementing progressive discipline can solve many disciplinary issues at the workplace. A progressive disciplinary policy can promote a productive work environment. So, what are you waiting for?

courtesy : ascent