ABSTRACT
Managers must ensure that their disciplinary process conforms to legal requirements and is supported by documentation for just cause. The law requires managers to have a policy that informs employees of the kinds of performance and behaviors that will trigger disciplinary action. Since employee handbooks cannot possibly cover every situation that may result in the disciplinary process, managers must communicate regularly to their staff a definition of acceptable performance. Likewise, the law requires that the staff be made aware of the penalties for unacceptable performance. Again, although having a written policy describing the disciplinary process is important, the manager needs to clearly communicate what the consequences are for unacceptable behavior.
