Disciplining an employee for unsatisfactory work performance must be fair, yet serve the needs of the office. It should follow a _____________ ________, which is usually a sequence of steps that will lead to either improvement or termination of the employee.

• A. Standard policy
• B. Standard process
• C. Formal protocol
• D. Progressive discipline

Answer: (B)

A standard process provides a predictable, repeatable sequence for handling performance issues, which keeps discipline fair and aligned with office needs. By outlining steps supervisors should follow—often starting with informal feedback and escalating to written warnings, performance improvement plans, and potential termination—the organization ensures consistency, proper documentation, and a clear path for the employee to improve. This structure helps protect the workplace from arbitrary decisions while giving the employee a real opportunity to rectify performance gaps.