Restoring privileges influences effectiveness of disciplinary actions against workers

Washington, July 10 (ANI): Managers who are trying to discipline their workers by taking away privileges, without considering the implications of restoring them, may be missing a key in their bid to improve performance and behaviour, say researchers.

"It's not just how you punish the person. The way privileges are reinstated can make or break how effective the punishment was," said Matthew McCarter, from University of Illinois.

He said that past research had focused largely on the motivational impact of punishment alone, but the way bosses handle giving privileges back could have just as much influence.

"Organizations can use reinstatement to their benefit, offering it as a reward to make a more committed worker," said McCarter.

"The old adage that we tend to love what we've suffered for applies very much here," he added.

McCarter said that a follow-up research was underway to get a clearer picture of how managers could use reinstatement most effectively, and how workers best respond to regaining privileges.

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but two things are for sure," he said.

"One, reinstatement happens and it happens very commonly. Two, reinstatement can make or break how effective the punishment was.

"How people are treated when getting privileges back really affects their performance and how they view the organization," he added. (ANI)