The reign of zero tolerance

Citation

(2007), "The reign of zero tolerance", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2007.04415bad.004

The reign of zero tolerance

The reign of zero tolerance

Gerson B. Harvard Business Review (USA), November 2006, Vol. 84 No. 11, Start page: 39 (8 pages)

Purpose – To discuss the benefits and limitations of ”zero tolerance” human resource (HR) policies. Design/methodology/approach – Presents a hypothetical case study in which an employee is summarily dismissed for apparent violation of the company’s policy on email and internet use. Reviews the reasons for introducing a zero tolerance approach and its extension to a range of HR issues. Discusses the specifics of the individual case, noting the scope for misinterpretation of the employee’s communications when the people monitoring email were unfamiliar with the individual’s specialist activities. Points out some of the problems that this company was experiencing as a consequence of putting a zero tolerance approach in place without the opportunity for investigation and consideration of explanations for the behaviour in question. Reports the views of selected commentators, who are generally critical of this approach and the failure to research the policy infraction and provide the employee with an opportunity to respond to concerns. Suggests that zero tolerance policies are a poor substitute for setting out clearly the limits of acceptable employee behaviour and the exercise of managerial judgement. Originality/value – Advocates a flexible approach to dealing with unacceptable employee behaviour, combined with an emphasis on developing an appropriate organizational culture.Reference: 35BB101

Keywords: Organizational culture, Discipline, Human resource strategies, Management techniques