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Disciplinary Action and Terminations

Good coaching is essential for effective corrective counseling. Corrective counseling can consist of oral and written warnings designed to change the behavior of an employee who has not performed assigned tasks or adhered to an expected code of conduct. Warnings are a necessary first step to remove the employee from an environment where there is no chance for success or where the student employee's presence can seriously damage or disrupt the operations of the department.

Examples of reasons for a corrective counseling, warning, or termination:

  • Inability to perform the job to the supervisor's standards.
  • Repeated tardiness.· Use of office equipment or supplies for personal use.
  • Discourteous to clientele/public.
  • Use of abusive/offensive language.

Steps in the corrective counseling progressive disciplinary action process:

  1. Oral warning
  2. Written warning
  3. Discharge

How to communicate during corrective counseling:

  • Be timely, specific, and focused, non-confrontational.
  • State effect/consequences of misconduct or poor performance.
  • Be firm, but open, supportive, and empathetic.

Determining the right step in a progressive counseling system:

  • Severity of the incident/effect on the organization.
  • Strength of communication to student employee.
  • Employee's overall work record (performance and length of service).
  • Evidence and reliability of witness.
  • Precedent and consistency.

Documentation suggested for corrective counseling:

  1. Details of the infraction, including dates locations and witnesses
  2. Specific policy violated (if applicable)
  3. Effect on the organization or department
  4. Reference to previous reports, memorandums, corrective counseling, or patterns of unproductive behavior/performance
  5. Time and place of meeting and parties present
  6. Content of meeting and student employee's reaction
  7. Consequences/Plan of action (including expected standards of performance/conduct and next step)

Career Services should be notified in written form if the determination is made to terminate a student employee. Student employees may choose to write a letter of appeal to be considered by an appeal committee in Student Financial Aid in order to participate in the Federal Work Study program in the future. Improper use or violation of university property and falsification of timesheets will result in the termination of the student employee without grounds for appeal.

Examples of reasons for immediate dismissal:

  • Theft of supplies/equipment.
  • Three consecutive absences without prior notice.
  • Destruction of university property.
  • Trespassing on work site after hours.
  • Long-distance phone calls charged to office phone.
  • Falsification of timesheets.

It is recommended that student employees give two weeks notice of resignation, whenever possible.