Rethinking Discipline - Using Smart Goals to Modify Workplace Behaviors

September 9th, 2020: Eckberg Lammers Employment Law attorney Lida Bannink served as lead presenter for the St. Croix Valley Employers Association's Employment Law Wednesday Webinar Series.

Presentation Overview

The presentation, titled Rethinking Discipline: Using Smart Goals to Modify Workplace Behaviors, addressed the shift in thinking about discipline not as a means to punish, but instead as a means to improve the workplace by making the environment efficient, safe, and pleasant. While there are times that conduct may lead to immediate termination, the discussion focused on lesser conduct necessitating the creation of a tailored performance improvement plan (PIP) to guide employees to being more effective.

The kind of information to include (and not include) in a PIP including measurable goals in order to modify conduct. If the employee can successfully complete the plan, then with a small amount of effort you were able to turn the employee around. If the employee cannot, and you know you had a solid plan to start, then you can be more certain that you will not face legal liability for a termination decision or find yourself needing to pay out a significant severance. All attendees of this live session received a sample attorney-drafted performance improvement plan that they can take back to their workplace.

Click to View The Presentation


Questions About this Topic?

If you have any questions about the content of the video presentation or are looking for assistance in evaluating employee decisions, please contact Labor & Employment attorney Lida Bannink at 651-351-2116, or email at lbannink@eckberglammers.com.

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