Two Sides to the Accountability Coin
Some companies think accountability is only about administering progressive discipline. They emphasize only negative consequences that result from a failure to meet standards of performance. However, an effective accountability system administers consequences for all behaviors in a balanced manner that is appropriate to the level of performance. So, what form should those consequences take?
Let's look at the consequences that might result from two categories of employee/management safety behavior:
- Meeting or exceeding standards
- Failing to meet standards
Meeting or exceeding standards: In an effective safety accountability system, positive recognition is given regularly for meeting or exceeding employer expectations.
When an employee meets or exceeds expected standards of safety behavior they need to be "praised" for it in some way. Here are some ideas:
Complying with Safety Rules
- Issuing a 'Safety Hero' certificate for consistent compliance with safety standards over several years.
- Adding a special mention in the 'Professional Performance' section of the employee’s performance appraisal.
- Distributing 'Safety Bucks' as an immediate reward when an employee is observed performing a safety-conscious act.
- Providing formal recognition from the CEO, rather than a mid-level manager, to honor long-term professional safety performance.
Reporting Hazards in the Workplace
- The ideas above.
- A bonus equal to a percentage (1% or so) of the direct accident cost the company might have incurred had the employee not reported the hazard and an accident occurred.
Reporting Injuries in the Workplace
- A simple "thank you," followed by an investigation of the accident and elimination of the hazard that caused it (that's leadership!).
Supervisors and managers should be recognized for the above behaviors too. They should also be recognized for the additional four corporate behaviors for which they are accountable:
- Maintaining a safe and healthful workplace.
- Providing effective oversight.
- Providing quality training.
- Fairly and effectively holding employees accountable.
Failing to meet standards: In some companies, this is unfortunately the only category that results in consequences. In an effective safety culture, corrective actions are rare and perceived as positive in the long-term. Usually (not always), corrective actions involve some sort of progressive discipline.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-8. An effective accountability program administers consequences for _____.
You forgot to answer the question!