Verbal Warning Required Before Suspension
Question:
Should a verbal warning be given before a suspension?
Signed,
Wondering
Answer:
Dear Wondering:
You didn't say if this question refers to a specific event or is for future reference, so I will provide a general answer that I hope will assist you.
Most organizations have a formal or informal progressive discipline policy, but these are not required by law. If there is such a policy, the stages can be skipped as needed, according to the nature and seriousness of the crime.
Organizations with unions usually have a progressive discipline schedule, but these also can be jumped if the action is very serious the first time it happens.
For example, being late one time might result in a verbal warning, and subsequent lateness would result in a written warning, then discipline of some kind, then suspension.
However, doing something harmful to someone or to the work could result in a suspension without any warning, because the action was so serious.
An immediate suspension almost always is the result of an action that is viewed as too serious to merit mere warnings.
I hope this is helpful to you. Best wishes!
Tina Lewis Rowe