An employer should:

An employer should:

• A. Use progressive discipline, unless the employee commits a serious violation of policies (like theft or assaulting a patient)
• B. Never use progressive discipline.
• C. Terminate an employee by shouting at them angrily in front of other employees.
• D. Withhold the employee's final paycheck until the employee returns all keys and other property of the employer.

Answer: (A)

Progressive discipline provides a fair, structured way to address performance or policy violations while giving the employee a chance to improve. It typically starts with clearer expectations and a verbal warning, then moves to written warnings and coaching, and only toward termination if there’s no sustained improvement. This approach helps protect the workplace by documenting issues and showing due process, which supports lawful and defensible decisions. There’s an important exception: if a violation is serious enough—such as theft or assault on a patient—immediate termination may be necessary to ensure safety and uphold policy. Other options miss this balanced approach. Shouting at an employee in front of others is inappropriate and can create a hostile environment and legal risk. Withholding a final paycheck to pressure the employee to return property is generally unlawful or tightly regulated; property recovery should be handled through proper processes separate from payroll and per relevant laws.

Progressive discipline provides a fair, structured way to address performance or policy violations while giving the employee a chance to improve. It typically starts with clearer expectations and a verbal warning, then moves to written warnings and coaching, and only toward termination if there’s no sustained improvement. This approach helps protect the workplace by documenting issues and showing due process, which supports lawful and defensible decisions.

There’s an important exception: if a violation is serious enough—such as theft or assault on a patient—immediate termination may be necessary to ensure safety and uphold policy.

Other options miss this balanced approach. Shouting at an employee in front of others is inappropriate and can create a hostile environment and legal risk. Withholding a final paycheck to pressure the employee to return property is generally unlawful or tightly regulated; property recovery should be handled through proper processes separate from payroll and per relevant laws.