A general rule of thumb for assisting you with determining whether you
are dealing with a conduct problem or a performance problem is two words:
“Can’t vs. Won’t”. If the employee is attempting to perform his/her job to
the best of his/her ability and just “can’t” do the work, it is more than
likely a performance related problem. If the employee can do the work, but
just “won’t” because he/she chooses not to, it is more than likely a conduct
problem. For example if an inventory clerk continues to catalog items
incorrectly, it could be because he does not understand the computer system
(performance)or it could be he is coming to work late, leaving early, and
not paying attention to his work (conduct). It is important to distinguish
between these two types of actions because currently they are processed
under very different procedures. Your servicing Command Staff Advisor/ Human
Resources (HR) Specialist will assist you in making this decision as in some
cases it can be a fine line.
- Conduct – Discipline Process - problems involve the breaking of a
rule, regulation, policy or direction.
EXAMPLE:
Employee does not show up for work and/or does not call in (absent
without leave (AWOL) or failure to follow leave procedures) - the
behavior violates rules, regulations, policy, directions and/or a
collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and therefore, is considered
a conduct problem. These actions are a result of the employee’s
chosen behavior. |
- Discipline is meant to correct an employee’s conduct; the agency
must be able to prove the employee has done something wrong. A suspicion
or hearsay that an employee did something wrong is not enough.
- Identify the problem. Was there a rule, regulation, requirement
or order broken? Was the employee aware of the rule, regulation or
requirement? Identify nexus – or logical connection, between the
employee’s conduct and a negative impact on the work getting done.
- In some instances, conduct outside work can also have a
sufficiently adverse impact on the agency to justify corrective
action (i.e. What if your employee gets a speeding ticket over the
weekend and loses his license – can you charge misconduct? What if
your employee was employed as a motor vehicle operator?).
- Gather all the facts.
- Be sure to get the employee’s side of the story. There might be
a logical explanation for the alleged misconduct.
- WEINGARTEN RIGHTS. A bargaining unit employee questioned in
connection with an investigation believes disciplinary action may
result, the employee can request representation.
- A non-bargaining unit employee is not afforded a right to have a
representative during an investigation and is required to
participate. If discipline results, he/she can respond and select a
representative.
- Document the facts. You may need to get more information or you
may not have enough information to warrant discipline.
- Performance Problems – Performing a job poorly.
EXAMPLE:
A Senior Program Analyst turns out analytical writing full of
grammatical errors and unsupported conclusions, plus his numbers do
not add up. |
- Performance problems may be dealt with through performance
counseling, training, work plans, performance improvement plans, etc.
- In addition, the DHS Performance Management Program (DHS PMP) or
Employee Achievement and Recognition System (EARS) work plan, progress
reviews, feedback session, etc. should be used to COMMUNICATE
performance issues on an on-going basis.
- Be sure to clearly document any of your counseling sessions,
training, feedback, work plans, etc. If the performance does not
improve, this documentation will become very important.
- If an employee’s performance drops to the fails to meet or
unacceptable level in one or more core competencies or performance
objectives, STOP and contact your local Command Staff Advisor or CG-1214
HR Specialist for guidance. Do not complete a final rating before
providing the employee an opportunity to improve his/her performance.
Your HR Specialist or Command Staff Advisor will assist you with this.