What should be included in a basic progressive disciplinary program?

A basic progressive disciplinary program is designed to address employee misconduct or performance issues systematically and fairly. This approach allows employees to understand the consequences of their actions and offers them opportunities to improve before facing more severe penalties. Including a framework of verbal warnings, written warnings, and suspensions effectively achieves these objectives.

The correct choice outlines a clear progression from initial warnings to more serious actions, which aligns with the principles of progressive discipline. Starting with a verbal warning allows for immediate feedback and communication, encouraging the employee to correct their behavior. Following that, the written warnings serve as formal documentation of the issue and the response expected from the employee. A written warning combined with a 3-day suspension introduces a more serious consequence for continued infractions, reinforcing the need for improvement. Finally, a written warning with longer suspension addresses more serious infractions, emphasizing the potential for more severe repercussions if the behavior does not change. This structured approach promotes accountability and provides multiple chances for an employee to correct their performance.

Other options lack this structured approach or offer an insufficient range of responses. For example, some suggest immediate termination for any infraction, which may not allow adequate opportunities for improvement, leading to potential legal and ethical issues. Others focus solely on verbal warnings or performance reviews, neglecting