{"id":9397,"date":"2024-07-04T14:26:41","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T14:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citationcanada.com\/?post_type=glossary&p=9397"},"modified":"2026-08-26T13:45:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:45:49","slug":"progressive-discipline","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/www.citationcanada.com\/fr\/glossary\/performance-and-people-management\/progressive-discipline\/","title":{"rendered":"Progressive Discipline"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \n \n \n \n HR Glossary\n <\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n Performance and People Management\n <\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n Progressive Discipline\n <\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Progressive Discipline\n <\/h1>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n

What is progressive discipline?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Progressive discipline is the process of using increasingly severe steps to correct inappropriate behaviour after an employee has been given a reasonable opportunity to do so. The underlying principle of\u00a0sound progressive discipline<\/a>\u00a0is to use the most appropriate level of discipline to correct the inappropriate behaviour given the employee\u2019s past disciplinary record. A common generalized application is to provide verbal coaching for the first instance of a wrongdoing, a verbal warning for the second instance that notifies the employee that further instances will lead to more severe punishment, a documented written warning for the third instance, a final written warning stating that any further wrongdoing will lead to termination, and finally terminating the employee who has not corrected their behaviour after participating in the discipline process.<\/p>\n

Employers want all employees to succeed and progress in their roles without needing progressive discipline, but what happens if you notice poor performance or misconduct? It\u2019s important to understand that poor performance and misconduct are not the same, so they require different solutions. Both issues need to be properly addressed, but each has its own process.<\/p>\n

When is progressive discipline used?<\/h2>\n

Progressive discipline may be appropriate when an employee repeatedly fails to meet workplace expectations or breaches a workplace rule or policy.<\/p>\n

Examples can include:<\/p>\n