Step 6: Consider employee's explanation
Adjourn the meeting to consider the employee’s explanation. Are there extenuating circumstances or mitigating factors?
Mitigating Factors Checklist
- Knowledge (did he/she know rules and requirements?)
- Quality of information/evidence (is it sound or shaky?)
- Seriousness (how bad is the problem?)
- Implications (importance of action or inaction on this matter?)
- Past practice (history in these cases?)
- Consistency (how have others been handled?)
- Employee work history (good or bad?)
- Frequency (how often has he/she infringed?)
- Time span (how long since last incident?)
- Personal circumstances
Conduct further investigations if required.
Continue to Step 7