Chapter 9: Evaluation and Discipline

Question 1

Central tendency

Answer 1

An evaluation error that occurs when a firefighter is rated in the middle of the range for all difficulties that affect job performance.

Question 2

Contrast effect

Answer 2

An evaluation error in which a firefighter is rated on the basis of performance of another firefighter and not on the classified job standards.

Question 3

Demotion

Answer 3

A reduction in rank, with a corresponding reduction in pay.

Question 4

Discipline

Answer 4

A moral, mental, and physical state in which all ranks respond to the will of the leader.

Question 5

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Answer 5

An employee benefit that covers all or part of the cost for employee’s to receive counseling, referrals, and advise in dealing with stressful issues in their lives. These problems may include substance abuse, bereavement, marital problems, weight issues, or general wellness issues.

Question 6

Formal written reprimand

Answer 6

An official negative supervisory action at the lowest level of the progressive disciplinary process.

Question 7

Frame of reference

Answer 7

An evaluation error in which the fire fighter is evaluated on the basis of the fire officers personal standards instead of the classified job description standards.

Question 8

Halo and horn effect

Answer 8

An evaluation error in which the fire officer takes one aspect of a firefighter’s job task and applies it to all aspects of work performance.

Question 9

Involuntary transfer of detail

Answer 9

A disciplinary action in which a firefighter is transferred or assigned to a less desirable or different work location or assignment.

Question 10

Loudermill hearing

Answer 10

A pre-disciplinary conference that occurs before a suspension, demotion, or involuntary termination is issued. The term “Loudermill” refers to a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Question 11

Oral reprimand, warning, or admonishment

Answer 11

The first level negative discipline. Considered informal, this discipline action remains with the fire officer and is not part of the firefighters official record.

Question 12

Performance log

Answer 12

An informal record maintained by the fire officer that lists firefighter activities by date and includes a brief description; it is used to provide documentation for annual evaluations and special recognitions.

Question 13

Personal bias

Answer 13

An evaluation error that occurs when the evaluators perspective skews the evaluation such that the classified job knowledge, skills, and abilities are not appropriately evaluated.

Question 14

Pretermination hearing

Answer 14

An initial check to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that charges against an employee are true and support the proposed termination.

Question 15

Progressive negative discipline

Answer 15

A process for dealing with job-related behavior that does not meet expected and communicated performance standards. The level of discipline increases from mild to more severe punishments if the problem is not corrected.

Question 16

Recency

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Restrictive duty

Answer 17

A temporary work assignment during an administrative investigation that isolates the firefighter from the public and usually is an administrative assignment away from the fire station.

Question 18

Special evaluation period

Answer 18

A designated period of time when an employee is provided additional training to resolve a work performance/ behavior issue. The supervisor issues an evaluation at the end of the special evaluation period.

Question 19

Suspension

Answer 19

A negative disciplinary action that removes a firefighter from the work location; he or she is generally not allowed to perform any fire department duties.

Question 20

T-account

Answer 20

A documentation system similar to an accounting balance sheet listing credits and debits, in which a single-sheet form is used to list the employees assets on the left side and liabilities on the right side, so that the result resembles the letter T.

Question 21

Termination

Answer 21

A situation in which the organization ends an individual’s employment against his or her will.

Question 22

Work improvement plan

Answer 22

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.