Chapter 7 - Evaluation and Discipline Flashcards
Central Tendency
An evaluation error that occurs when a fire fighter is rated in the middle of the range for all dimensions of work performance
Contrast effect
An evaluation error in which a fire fighter is rated on the basis of performance of another fire fighter and not on the classified job standards
Demotion
A reduction in rank, with a corresponding reduction in pay
Discipline
A moral, mental and physical state in which all ranks respond to the will of the leader
Formal Written Reprimand
An official negative supervisory action at the lowest level of the progressive disciplinary process
Frame of Reference
An evaluation error in which the fire fighter is evaluated on the basis of the fire officer’s personal standards instead of the classified job description standards
Halo and Horn Effect
An evaluation error in which the fire officer takes one aspect of a fire fighter’s job task and applies it to all aspects of work performance
Involuntary Transfer or Detail
A disciplinary action in which a fire fighter is transferred to assigned to a less desirable or different work location or assignment
Loudermill Hearing
A predisciplinary conference that occurs before a suspension, demotion, or involuntary termination is issued, named after a supreme court decision
Oral Reprimand, Warning, or Admonishment
The first level of negative discipline. Considered informal, this discipline action remains with the fire officer and is not part of the fire fighter’s official record
Performance Log
An informal record maintained by the fire officer that lists fire fighter activities by date and includes a brief description, used for evals and special recognition
Personal Bias
An evaluation error that occurs when the evaluator’s perspective skews the evaluation such that the classified job knowledge, skills, and abilities are not appropriately evaluated
Pre-termination Hearing
An initial check to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that charges against an employee are true and support the proposed termination
Progressive Negative Discipline
A process for dealing with job-related behavior that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards
Recency
An evaluation error in which the fire fighter is evaluated only on incidents that occurred over the past few weeks rather than on the entire evaluation period
Restrictive Duty
A temporary work assignment during an administrative investigation that isolates the fire fighter from the public and usually is an administrative assignment away from the fire station
Special Evaluation Period
A designated period of time when an employee is provided additional training to resolve a work performance/behavior issue
Suspension
A negative disciplinary action that removes a fire fighter from the work location. He or she is generally not allowed to perform any fire department duties
Termination
A situation in which the organization ends an individual’s employment against his or her will
Work Improvement Plan
A written document that is part of a special evaluation period. The plan identifies performance deficiencies and lists the improvements in performance or changes in behavior required to obtain a “satisfactory” evaluation
Concept
Supervision of fire fighters requires that the officer conduct regular evaluations to provide feedback on job performance, on-duty behavior, and problem resolution
Concept
The officer must determine each new fire fighter’s skills, knowledge, aptitudes, strengths, and weaknesses and then set specific expectations for each new fire fighter
Concept
The officer builds discipline by training to meet performance standards, using rewards and punishments judiciously, instilling confidence in and building trust among team leaders, and creating a knowledgeable collective will
NFPA 1021
Identifies Fire Officer II as the level of officer who issues formal evaluation and discipline
Concept
The officer should provide continual evaluation and feedback throughout the year so information that goes into the annual evaluation isn’t a surprise
Concept
Negative discipline is aimed at discouraging unacceptable behavior and poor performance
Employee Assistance Program
Designed to deal with issues such as substance abuse, emotional or mental health issues, marital and family difficulties, or other difficulties that affect job performance
