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