--- title: Bad Behavior or Poor Performance? How to Tell the Difference description: Effectively managing negative employee behavior is essential to a healthy and productive workplace. But sometimes it can be challenging to determine image: https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/discipline-hero-1024x639-1-3.jpg --- [![CPS Logo_rgb-2](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hubfs/CPS%20Logo_rgb-2.svg "CPS Logo_rgb-2")](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com) - Solutions - - [Payroll Payroll tax filing, automated and integrated processing, paperless reporting and more.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/payroll-outsourcing) - [Talent Management Personalized recruiting, onboarding, performance management, training and offboarding.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/talent-management) - [HR Solutions HR support, handbook development, training, safety and compliance — all the daily tasks of people management.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hr-outsourcing) - - [Benefits Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, retirement, workman’s comp and pre-tax savings plans.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/employee-benefits) - [Time & Attendance Integrated time and attendance tracking, PTO request and accrual management, scheduling and reporting.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/time-and-attendance) - [Employee Engagement Custom experiences designed to attract, engage, and retain talent to get the best from your staff.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/employee-engagement) - - See How It Works - ![Executive Dashboard](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021%20Website%20Update%20Images/Images/Nav-Demo-Thumbnail.png?width=250&name=Nav-Demo-Thumbnail.png) - [![Request a Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1885176/b949a8d0-722d-43f0-bed8-a62983a06b31.png)](https://resources.completepayrollsolutions.com/demo-request) - Who We Serve - - [Startups Start strong with personal service that will grow with you as you scale your business.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/payroll-and-hr-startups) - [Small & Medium Businesses Grow and evolve with strategic guidance and all-in-one solutions for payroll, HR and benefits.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/small-medium-business-payroll-benefits) - [Large & Enterprise Businesses Discover custom systems and integrations with industry-leading technology to help reduce administrative burden and increase your bottom line.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/payroll-and-hr-outsourcing-large-business) - - [Industries Get an experienced partner with the insider info you need to stay compliant and ahead of the curve.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/who-we-serve) - [Our Partners Close relationships with top-tier companies within their industries.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/partnerships) - Resources - - [Blog Smart articles and lots of answers to your most asked questions.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog) - [Learning Center In-depth resources designed to make your payroll, HR, and benefits experience easier.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/resources) - [Employee, Federal & State Forms Up-to-date documents and links at your fingertips.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/employee-federal-state-forms) - - [Tax Guide & Calendar](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hubfs/2023TaxCalendar_FINAL_20230103.pdf) - [![Tax Guide & Calendar](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20Tax%20Calendar%20Image.png?width=200&name=2023%20Tax%20Calendar%20Image.png)](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hubfs/2023TaxCalendar_FINAL_20230103.pdf) - Who We Are - - [Contact Speak with an industry expert or connect with your CPS Consultant.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/contact-us) - [About Us CPS is your *people partner*. 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How to Tell the Difference by [John Stebbins](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/author/john-stebbins) on Feb 12, 2019 3:18:20 PM [![Two people sit at a table having a discussion. One person is prompting the other to sign the paper that is on the table.](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/discipline-hero-1024x639-1-3.jpg?width=500&name=discipline-hero-1024x639-1-3.jpg)](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/bad-behavior-or-poor-performance-how-to-tell-the-difference) Effectively managing negative employee behavior is essential to a healthy and productive workplace. But sometimes it can be challenging to determine whether an employee’s actions constitute misconduct that requires discipline or are simply performance-related. And the difference is important because it impacts the plan HR puts in place for improvement. Here are some ways to tell the difference between behavioral and performance issues so you can properly address them for an optimal workplace environment. ### **Misconduct** Misconduct generally involves intentional or negligent action that violates workplace rules and is distinct from the employee’s actual job performance. Examples of misconduct common in a business setting include: - Excessive tardiness - Dishonesty - Theft - Violence - Offensive behavior - Damage to property Employee misconduct warrants discipline or the company risks affecting morale, engagement and productivity. Depending on the behavior, businesses may take one or more steps, including verbal and written warnings, suspension, and termination.  ### **Poor Performance** When an employee does their job badly according to acceptable standards, it constitutes poor performance. Examples of substandard work include: - The inability to effectively communicate - Lack of follow through or ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision - Inadequate job knowledge and understanding - Failure to identify and proactively resolve problems While repeated performance problems can be cause for discipline, to start, employers should help employees elevate their skills and abilities by offering support such as: 1. **Training:** Educational offerings, especially hands-on or one-on-one options, that help an employee better understand the company’s products, processes or technology can positively affect on-the-job performance so give them the tools they need. 2. **Colleagues:** Another option is to have management spend additional time with employees who need it so they can better understand how to perform their job correctly. Even a coworker who performs a job’s tasks well could help the employee learn how to adapt what they’re doing. 3. **Regular Communication:** Once you spot poor performance, it’s important to stay on top of it so monitor employee work, perform regular evaluations, and provide feedback. And check that any interventions are having the desired results so that workers have the best chance to succeed. Employers can’t afford to ignore misconduct or poor performance. For more information, contact[**Complete Payroll Solutions**](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/contact-us/) at **888-865-4470**. - Share Post: - - in ![Tag Icon](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/hubfs/tags.png) [HR](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/topic/hr) , [Performance Reviews](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/topic/performance-reviews) , [Employee Engagement](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) , [Talent Management](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/topic/talent-management) [How Long Does It Take When Switchin... ❯](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/switching-payroll-providers) Subscribe Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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How to Tell the Difference 2026-07-15 11:31:15 © Copyright 2024 Complete Payroll Solutions: HR, Payroll, and Benefits | [Privacy Policy](https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/privacy-policy/) | One Carando Drive, Springfield, MA 01104 ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "John Stebbins", "url" : "https://www.completepayrollsolutions.com/blog/author/john-stebbins" }, "dateModified" : "2023-02-15T16:01:24.079Z", "datePublished" : "2019-02-12T20:18:20.000Z", "headline" : "Bad Behavior or Poor Performance? 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