discipline is un-fun

One of the least pleasant things about being a pseudo-manager is disciplining employees. It's better than actually laying people off, but still unpleasant. I like the people I work with. They're good people, have lives, but sometimes under-deliver when it comes to expectations. And while a good talk to clarify expectations is pleasant enough, much more than that becomes less fun.

What likely bothers me the most about employee discipline is that it usually presages something worse. Formal verbal warnings and write-ups are almost always precursors to termination. It may not happen tomorrow, but if someone has slipped up enough to actually warrant formal action, then it's usually just a matter of time until the final straw. But of course, we need documentation and progressive discipline to cover our corporate hides when the ax finally falls. Most people actually on boards with the program will not reach the point where formal discipline is required.

If we're into true and formal discipline, it means I'm already assuming we'll be out an employee in the not-too-distant future. Which means interviews and hiring, uncertainty, training costs, etc. Good people are great to have. As long as they're not complaining all the time.