The absence of solid documentation is the single most common mistake employers make when handling employee performance, behavior, and discipline issues. Not properly documenting, or not documented at all, can hurt employers in several ways. Documentation can make or break a manager’s ability to discipline, terminate, fairly promote, reward, and recognize employees. Additionally, solid documentation will become an employer’s best friend when an employee brings discrimination or other employment-related claims against the organization.
Possessing a solid understanding of the do’s and don’ts of documenting employee performance, discipline, and behavior is an essential tool for managers and supervisors because they need to make a serious effort to effectively record all events in the employment history of their employees – both positive and negative.
