What are the rules for employee discipline?

In Vermont, employers must follow certain rules when disciplining employees. Employers should use progressive discipline, which means starting with a verbal warning and moving gradually to more serious measures. In some cases, an employee can be terminated without any formal disciplinary action, but this should only be done in the event of serious misconduct. When disciplining an employee, employers should attempt to maintain a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. Employers should also refrain from issuing discipline that is retaliatory or that is not based on reasonable performance standards. In addition, employers must provide employees with proper notice before imposing any disciplinary action. This means that the employee should receive a written warning that outlines the specific behavior being reprimanded, the consequences of continuing this behavior, and the steps necessary to correct the behavior. The warning should also outline any disciplinary action that will be taken if the behavior is not corrected. Employers should also provide employees with the opportunity to respond to any disciplinary measures taken against them. This allows employees to explain the circumstances of the incident and to provide their own perspective. Finally, employers should document all disciplinary actions taken against an employee and should ensure that they are consistent with their company’s policies. This will help ensure that disciplinary measures are applied in a fair and consistent manner.

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