Discipline Process

Help, support, advice, guidance, assistance and info crossroad sign post

Employee Relations provides unbiased information and guidance to both management and employees regarding counseling and disciplinary issues. The goal is to provide each employee with a full opportunity for success.

All discipline forms and letters are available at Manager Forms and Letters (SharePoint link).

Assistance

For information or assistance, contact Employee Relations at (727) 464-3367, option 2, or by email at Employee.Relations@pinellas.gov.

If you need an Employee Advocate, complete the EAC Request an Advocate Form (login to SharePoint required). For assistance with the form, email EAC@pinellas.gov, contact your EAC Representative or Delegate, or call Human Resources at (727) 464-3367, option 2.

Disciplinary Policies and Processes

Progressive Discipline

The progressive discipline process includes several steps. Although supervisors often proceed in the order shown below, some serious issues may require a supervisor to go directly to a Level 2 Warning or even to a pre-disciplinary hearing. For more detail, see Counseling and Progressive Discipline.

Coaching & Counseling

Coaching is used by supervisors to encourage and motivate their employees to achieve better performance. Counseling is used to resolve a problem. Download the Counseling Form (SharePoint link).

Level 1 Warning (previously Verbal Warning)

If a problem continues after counseling, a supervisor may discuss the issue with the employee and explain the necessary corrective action. Download the Level 1 Warning Form (SharePoint link).

Level 2 Warning (previously Written Warning)

If a problem continues after a Level 1 Warning, a supervisor may utilize a Level 2 Warning to help an employee understand the issue and take corrective action. Download the Level 2 Warning Form (SharePoint link).

Pre-Disciplinary Hearing

If a problem continues after a Level 2 Warning, a supervisor may take any of the following disciplinary actions: demotion, final written warning, pay reduction, suspension, or dismissal. Before any such actions occur, an employee has a right to a pre-disciplinary hearing to present information on their view of the situation. Download the Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Form (SharePoint link).