“If I could sum up why I’m committed to the HR Girlfriends community it would come down to because we are ‘….in this together.'”

~Sana’ Rasul, Chief Girlfriend

Q&A: Can we reduce an employee’s hours as a disciplinary measure?

Question:

Can we reduce an employee’s hours as a disciplinary measure?

Answer: Ophelia, one of our HR Pros says…

I do not recommend reducing hours as a disciplinary measure, as it does not directly address the performance or behavioral issue that the employee is having. Unless reducing hours is already a common practice in your workplace, it could be challenged on the basis of fairness, consistency with your policy, or discrimination. For example, if no other employees have had a reduction in hours for disciplinary reasons, this employee could claim they’re being unfairly targeted and that the discipline was actually a result of their inclusion in a protected class (e.g., if the employee is over 40 years old or believes in a particular religion).

Instead, I would advise that you follow a progressive disciplinary process and put the employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP), addressing poor performance and behavioral issues as soon as they arise. In this case, I recommend that you meet with the employee to discuss the performance and behavioral problems, and document your expectations going forward. Treating the employee consistently with your policy and documenting the steps of the disciplinary/PIP process will be useful if any of your decisions are later challenged by an employee claim.

 

Ophelia has held HR roles in the financial services, healthcare, IT, real estate, and telecommunications industries. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Human Resources from Willamette University. A member of SHRM since 2008, Ophelia currently serves as both the Director of College Relations for the Northwest Human Resources Management Association.

Get Certified

The first-ever HR certification designed for professionals who are just beginning their HR career journey.

Leave a comment

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Are You IN?
Or Are You OUT?

It’s time you join forces with a community of like-minded peers ready to tackle the issues unique to the women of HR.

How Safe Is Your Organization?

Even with millions spent on cyber security infrastructure, all it takes is one employee clicking on one wrong link to compromise critical data, costing your company millions.

HR Girlfriends™ is a Human Resources networking organization dedicated to advancing the practice and culture of people empowerment. Our team of Girlfriends consult, train, educate, develop, share, promote, and advocate for solutions in the field of human resource management.

  • All
  • Affirmation
  • Career Mondays
  • Certification
  • COVID-19
  • CyberSAFE
  • Guest Blogger
  • HR Advisor
  • HR Law Alert
  • HR Q&A
  • HR Reading
  • HR Reel Talk
  • Join Our Team - Apply Now
  • Membership
All
  • All
  • Affirmation
  • Career Mondays
  • Certification
  • COVID-19
  • CyberSAFE
  • Guest Blogger
  • HR Advisor
  • HR Law Alert
  • HR Q&A
  • HR Reading
  • HR Reel Talk
  • Join Our Team - Apply Now
  • Membership
HR Q&A

Q&A: Can We Discipline an Employee for Not Taking a Lunch Break?

Yes, generally you can and should require an employee to take a lunch break. In many states, employers are required to provide employees with rest …

Read More →
Affirmation

Affirmation: Longevity Comes From Conscious Living

Remaining cognizant of the choices that I make is a great way to maintain lasting experiences and relationships. When I live consciously, my decisions are …

Read More →
Career Mondays

Career Monday: A Foolproof Formula For Becoming A Team Player

Unless you want to work in a lighthouse, being a team player will probably be part of your job description. It’s a question that comes …

Read More →
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap