Employee Discipline is vital in any successful business or organization. Yet, the very words employee discipline might sound threatening, challenging and rather ‘command and control’, it is a necessary evil for any organization.

To generate the very best result in employee discipline, it is imperative that you ensure that there are agreed ways of working that everyone in the organization subscribes to. This is very necessary because great staff discipline removes clutter and allows staff to focus on what they do best, without the distractions of petty squabbles or politics.

With agreed guidelines and standards, these tools provide the basis for developing that most effective discipline of all - self discipline. Yes, it is an “herculean’ task but it must be done to ensure a professional and comfortable work environment. Listed below are some tips on being better at employee discipline.

Seven ways to be better at employee discipline

  • Clear understanding of expectation: Make sure that all staff know what is expected of them as an individual and as part of a team. Also, there should be a formal structure for dealing with indiscipline and explain this should be explained to staff.
  • Build Relationships: Build informal relationships with staff outside of work, through conversation, discussion and any form of work or non-work related chat.
  • Be Honest: Be honest with yourself and with your people, all the time. Create trust through keeping promises, being open and seeking to understand others better.
  • Focus on Outcomes: If you keep in mind that it is your bottom line that is important here, it flushes out any sentimentality or weakness you might have in this area.
  • Build Consistency: Do not bend your rules. Always stick to what you have agreed to be the rules. This way, staff get to realize what is to be, is to be and will get better at accepting and then valuing the way it is in your business.
  • Be Respectful: Even when you are working an agreed set of principles in your business, be caring and understanding - it costs you nothing and yet it builds your people’s faith in you and the process without fail.
  • Support Others: Be there for your staff, especially in the early days as you fine tune and introduce a discipline process. They will welcome your support and encouragement