Policy Text
EMPLOYEE COUNSELING
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/01/90 STANDARD NO. 033 REVISED: 01/10/18
REPLACES: SOP Employee Counseling 05-01.1-2 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 11/10/11
OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines for supervisors to utilize when subordinates require
formal counseling.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to better communicate
with employees and improve job performance by conducting counseling sessions
by supervisors with all employees periodically and specifically when job
deficiencies are noted.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department will be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. PROCEDURES:
A. To ensure that such counseling sessions are fair and unbiased, a written record of the
session shall be completed. The supervisor who issued it shall maintain written
references to oral reprimands or counseling sessions. It will not be entered into the
employee’s personnel file. It shall be the policy of this Department to have the
supervisor counsel employees in the following manner:
1. Find a quiet place for counseling.
2. Clearly identify the area(s) to be covered with the employee.
3. State the corrective actions that the employee should take to remedy the
deficiencies.
4. Identify and recommend any appropriate additional training that might solve the
problem.
5. Solicit from the employee their ideas as to the problem and any solutions they
might have.
6. The employee will initial the counseling form and attach any written
memorandum that they might wish to add.
B. A written counseling session accomplishes the following:
1. It identifies a problem area the employee may or may not be aware of.
2. It suggests a positive approach in solving such problems.
3. It offers suggestions for ways to eliminate the problem(s).
4. It identifies poor work habits or performance.
Employee Counseling – SOP# 033
C. A good supervisor assists their people in the performance of their jobs. Counseling
should be a constructive instrument for improvement and not strictly a disciplinary tool.