When it comes to managing employees, the importance of documentation cannot be overstated. Nothing is done in a vacuum, and a detailed paper and digital trail supports your decisions and protects your business.

Documenting employee performance is no exception. When you track poor behavior, incidents and other employee performance issues, you’re more equipped to make critical employment decisions. This may include positive actions, such as promotions, training opportunities and salary increases, as well as difficult decisions like demoting, firing or disciplining an employee.

Using an online solution to document employee behavior, such as progressive discipline, is a consistent process that helps to ensure fair treatment to all employees.

When it comes to managing employees, the importance of documentation cannot be overstated.

With an employee discipline online application, you can:

1. Issue a disciplinary warning. Select the employee you want to issue a disciplinary warning for with a click of a button.
2. Document the warning. Include the details of the warning such as date, time and type of violation.
3. Create a progressive discipline history. Continue to track the steps in the process: Warning, Probation, Suspension or Termination.
4. Talk to the employee. Have a conversation regarding the issue with the employee and a witness. Sign off once the discussion has occurred.

Additional tools for documenting employee behavior include:

Performance emails

Write emails to share significant, positive events with employees. List details of the event or incident and describe the impact on the company. Send a message, for example, when an employee beats a quota or wins an award.

Counseling forms

Create a written document whenever you hold a closed-door session with an employee about a performance issue. Besides the facts of the situation, describe the improvement expected, the consequences of continued poor performance and an action plan for eliminating the problem.

Warnings

Use a warning form when you’ve counseled and coached to no avail. Document the type of violation, record the employee’s response to the situation and describe the consequences of additional problems.

Final decision forms

Has an employee proven resistant to coaching, counseling or corrective action through warnings? Use a “final decision” form to propose two options: shape up, or ship out. The employee either agrees to comply with policies or work requirements, or chooses to resign voluntarily.

Appraisal forms

A good appraisal form lists core objectives, provides space for developmental goals and covers a handful of behavioral traits for further assessment.

Do:

• Document employee performance issues immediately
• Be fair and consistent
• Stick to the facts
• Indicate the law or policy the incident violates or explain the reason for the policy
• Describe the consequences of further violations
• Chart the good with the bad for complete employee performance feedback

Don’t:

• Wait to write up an incident or issue
• Leave disciplinary documents lying about where people can see them
• Write about “attitude”; focus on behavior and actions instead
• Deviate from your company’s normal disciplinary process