DISCIPLINE

 DISCIPLINE

Let us look at discipline. Do we need to discipline at places of work? What do you think? Is it in order to discipline adults?

Define Discipline

Discipline is training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. 

How disciplinary procedures work

It is obvious that no employee may be disciplined for breaking a rule that he/she was not aware of in the first place, and therefore it is essential that the employer's Disciplinary Code and Procedure be communicated to all employees in writing, in a language that the employees can clearly understand.

This may mean printing your Disciplinary Code in perhaps 3 different languages. If an employee is illiterate, then the Disciplinary Rules must be translated to him in a language that he/she can clearly understand. The Standards of Conduct should contain rules that are, as far as possible, common to all employees. It is advisable to include a dress code as well, particularly for those employees who have dealings with members of the public or the employer's clients.

Your employer e. g in Health, the Ministry of Health should put its disciplinary procedure in writing, and make it easily available to all staff. It should say what performance and behaviour might lead to disciplinary action and what action your employer might take.

NB: The Ministry of Health in Zambia is using the Code of conduct for all Civil servants. 

Disciplinary steps

Your employer’s disciplinary procedure should include the following steps:

⦁ A letter setting out the issue or a charge letter.

⦁ A meeting to discuss the issue where An Offender is going to appear.

⦁ A disciplinary decision.

⦁ A chance given to the Offender to appeal this decision within a specific period of time.

Approaches to Difficulty staff 

Difficult people present no problem if we pass them on the street, in the supermarket or in a building lobby. Nevertheless, when we have to work with them difficult people can become major irritants.

It seems that some people are just born to be difficult. We have all worked with them and most of us dislike them. Difficult people are easy to recognize--they show up late, leave early, don't turn their work in on time and have an excuse for every failing.

How to Handle Them

1. Don't ignore the problem. 

2. Intervene as soon as possible.

3. Research the problem personally

4. Help the problematic employee to get back on track.

5. If all else fails, termination may be necessary.