What does progressive discipline entail?

Progressive discipline is a systematic approach used in workplace settings to address employee misconduct or performance issues. It involves a series of corrective actions that escalate in severity, starting with less severe penalties for minor infractions and increasing to more serious consequences for repeated or more severe violations. This approach allows employees the opportunity to improve their behavior or performance after receiving constructive feedback, rather than facing immediate termination.

By beginning with less severe measures, such as verbal warnings or written reprimands, progressive discipline aims to correct behaviors before they escalate. This method not only supports employee development but also promotes fairness and consistency in how disciplinary actions are applied across an organization. Thus, option B correctly captures the essence of progressive discipline, distinguishing it from other approaches that may not provide the opportunity for improvement before imposing more severe penalties.

In contrast to this, immediate termination for all offenses disregards the nuances of each situation and can lead to unfair treatment of employees. Flexible consequences based on the employee's role could potentially lack consistency and fairness. Public shaming would not only be an inappropriate disciplinary method but could also create a toxic work environment, undermining respect and morale.