Disciplinary Action: From Investigation to Suspension
Effective investigation and appropriate disciplinary action is a pillar of good leadership. Follow these steps to ensure all sides are heard and your team’s trust is preserved.
Investigating a Dispute
- Talk to the ‘accuser’ to learn about the issue/situation. Take notes throughout the entire investigation process.
- Talk to the ‘accused’ employee.
- Say, “I’m investigating (event). I want to hear your side of things. What exactly happened?”
- Obtain their written statement (signed and dated).
- Remind the accused employee that retaliation or discussing the situation with anyone during the investigation may result in termination.
- Obtain signed witness statements from others involved in the situation. Do not promise confidentiality, but tell them to inform you if they encounter any retaliation from the accused employee.
Tips for Investigations
- Stay focused; keep your conversations with employees short and sweet.
- Remain calm.
- Remain neutral.
- Ask open-ended questions (questions that can’t be responded with just “yes” or “no”).
- Take notes!
Suspension (sending an employee home)
Contact your Talent Arts manager first. If there is concern about immediate safety or wellbeing of an employee, you may send the ‘accused’ employee home while you investigate. Do not send the accuser/victim home.
Non-exempt employees will not receive pay until they are cleared by Talent Arts via the results of your investigation.
Threats? Harassment? Violence? Notify Talent Arts!
Alicia Carter, Talent Arts Manager (Nursing, Home Care): ext. 1257 and ext. 1457, acarter@arboracres.org
Bren Galaski, Talent Arts Manager: ext. 1253, bgalaski@arboracres.org
In Paycom:
1. Log into Paycom.
2. Create the Performance Discussion.
- Go to Talent Management > Performance Discussion Forms > Begin Performance Discussions.
- Select the employee and complete the required fields.
- Change APPROVER as needed (Alicia Carter = Nursing/Home Care; Bren Galaski = All other).
3. Click Submit to Approver and Email.
4. After approved by HR, go to ‘Manage Performance Discussions’ /click employee’s name.
5. Go over discussion in person.
6. Click “Approve > Forward” while employee is with you (See screenshot below.).
7. Employee signs off (in your office):
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- No phone? log out of Paycom, and access employee log-in page for employee.
- (Signing = reviewed with them/ doesn’t mean agree.)
- Employee logs-in, clicks on alert bell – signs, saves, submits.
- Pop-up: Acknowledge/confirm, goes to HR for comment review.