In the progressive discipline process, what is the first step for addressing repeated tardiness?

• A. Written Counseling
• B. Suspension
• C. Verbal Counseling and Records of Individual Counseling
• D. Demotion

Answer: (C)

Starting with a verbal counseling session paired with keeping a formal record is how you begin addressing repeated tardiness. The informal talk communicates that punctuality is an expectation, explains the impact on the team and operations, and gives the employee a chance to respond or share any contributing factors. Recording the counseling creates a clear, documented trail that demonstrates you’ve addressed the issue, set expectations, and planned a path for improvement. This combination keeps the process fair and consistent and provides a reference if behavior doesn’t improve. If tardiness continues, the next steps typically involve more formal actions such as written counseling; suspension or demotion would be reserved for situations where previous steps haven’t resulted in improvement.