The Rationale

It would be an ideal world (and a naïve expectation of managers) to have all employees arrive at work on time every day, with a positive attitude, a strong willingness to work, and a commitment to earn their keep. Unfortunately, in the real world of work, there are always some employees who are undisciplined or incompetent or committed to getting the most and giving the least. This happens despite our best efforts in selecting and training employees. Hence, it is sometimes necessary for a supervisor or manager to impose discipline when performance standards have not been met. This module deals with how to counsel and discipline employees in a positive, constructive manner.

Learning Objectives for the Workshop

• Define 15 guidelines for conducting effective counseling sessions
• Distinguish among coaching, counseling, and disciplining
• Describe how “positive discipline” differs from traditional discipline
• Identify the major steps involved in the practice of positive discipline
• Describe why asking questions is preferable to giving advice when counseling
• Identify 3 steps to the planning of any interpersonal communication

• Describe the employee’s deviant behavior and the desired new behavior
• Specify the likely causes of the behavior to be changed
• Develop a plan of action to get rid of the undesirable behavior
• Apply a 6-step disciplinary strategy for restoring performance
• Use the “Discipline Planning sheet” to apply the 6-stage strategy
• Apply a 10-step planning process in preparing for a counseling session
• Use the 4-page “Coaching and Counseling Planning Sheet”
• Counsel/discipline employees in a way that improves their performance
• Establish ways to monitor and maintain performance over time