FIRST: VERBAL WARNING:  Supervisors may give a verbal warning  in the open and in the view of co-
workers or ask the employee to step into an office .  The supervisor will explain: 1) What action or behavior 
is wrong; 2) What behavior is acceptable, and 3) The consequences if the unacceptable behavior continues.
SECOND: WRITTEN WARNING:    When verbal warnings do not succeed, a supervisor will proceed to a 
written warning.  Written warnings provide "documentation" (proof written on paper)
.  Documentation may 
be used as evidence if the worker is fired in the future.  
THIRD: REPRIMAND.   When a written warning does not work, the supervisor or a manager will w
rite a 
reprimand (formal and stronger warning on paper).   A reprimand is considered a last-chance warning.
FOURTH: SUSPENSION.   If the unacceptable behavior continues, the employee will be required 
to stay 
away from work for a certain period of time, such as one week — witho
ut pay.  A suspension
allows: 1) The employee time to think about the unacceptable behavior or attitude, 
and 
2) Gives company time to recover from the stressful work environment created by the conflict.
FIFTH: TERMINATION.   Supervisor ends the employment — by firing the employee.
SKIPPING STEPS.  After serious work-related offense — such as theft of company property, violation of 
safety rules, serious mistreatment of customers or coworkers — a supe
rvisor may go directly to termination 
without verbal or written warnings, reprimand, or suspension.  
Reasons why employers discipline or terminate (fire) employees —
•  Employee participates in verbal or physical abuse, sexual harassment, in
sults, cursing, 
  threats, fights, safety offenses, or other offenses at the work site.
•  Employee is insubordinate (refuses to do job tasks as directed by the s
upervisor without good reason).
•  Employee participates in theft of company property, products, money, or trade secrets.
•  Employee uses drugs, illegal substances, and/or alcohol while on the job
.
•  Employee placed false information on the job application and/or resume.
•  Employee has many unexcused absences and/or tardies that harm the work flow and cause bad attitudes.
QUICK CHECK:
1.  a) In what 2 places may a verbal warning be given?  b) What 3 things will the supervisor explain?  
2.  a) What happens when verbal warnings do not succeed?  b) What do written warnings provide?  
3.  a) What is a reprimand?  b) What is a reprimand considered to be?
4.  For what 2 things does a suspension allow time to do?
5.  Give examples of 3 work-related offenses that may cause a supervisor to skip steps.  
6.  a) Define "insubordinate."  b) What 2 things do many unexcused absences/tardiness harm and cause?
7.  If you were a supervisor, list 3 work-related actions that would cause you to discipline an empl
oyee.  
8.  Pretend that you are manager of a restaurant.  Write an essay of 25 words or more with the exact words 
that you would say as First Verbal Warning to your worker who has been late for the last 3 work shifts. 	
Discipline in the Work World
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.