Workplace Discipline

Lesson Details

• Subject: Business Studies
• Year Group: Year 8
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Class Size: 24 students
• Curriculum Area: UK National Curriculum – Key Stage 3 Business Studies
• Focus: Understanding workplace disciplinary processes and how employee behaviour impacts disciplinary actions

---

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Understand the concept of workplace discipline and its importance.
2. Identify different stages of disciplinary action in a business setting.
3. Apply knowledge by analysing job scenario cards and determining the appropriate disciplinary stage.

---

Resources Needed

• Printed job scenario cards (each card describes a workplace issue)
• Chart paper and markers
• Whiteboard and pens
• A slide or printed sheet outlining the stages of workplace discipline

---

Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 mins) – "What is Discipline?"

• Teacher Question: "Why do businesses have rules and consequences for breaking them?"
• Think-Pair-Share: Students will discuss in pairs for 2 minutes, then share their thoughts with the class.
• Teacher Note: Guide students to understand that workplace discipline ensures fairness, productivity, and professionalism.

---

2. Explanation (7 mins) – Stages of Disciplinary Action

• Introduce the four key stages of workplace discipline:
  1. Informal Warning – Verbal discussion about minor issues.
  2. Formal Warning – Written notice for repeated or serious behaviour.
  3. Final Warning – A last chance before serious consequences.
  4. Dismissal – Termination of employment due to serious or repeated misconduct.
• Provide real-life workplace examples to relate each stage to business environments.

---

3. Main Activity (12 mins) – Job Scenario Cards

• Group Work: Students are placed into six groups of four. Each group is given a job scenario card that describes an employee's behaviour.
• Task: Groups must read their scenario, discuss as a team, and decide which disciplinary stage the employee should be at.
• Presenting: Each group shares their scenario and decision, explaining their reasoning to the class.
• Example Scenarios:
  • Scenario 1: An employee arrives late to work once.
  • Scenario 2: An employee has received multiple formal warnings for missing deadlines.
  • Scenario 3: An employee is caught stealing from the business.
  • Scenario 4: An employee swears at a customer during an argument.
  • Scenario 5: A worker ignores previous warnings about using their phone during work hours.
  • Scenario 6: An employee refuses to follow a manager’s reasonable instructions.

---

4. Plenary (5 mins) – Reflection and Discussion

• Class Discussion:
  1. "Did any scenarios lead to debate within your groups?"
  2. "Which disciplinary stage do you think is the most commonly used in real workplaces?"
  3. "Why is it important for businesses to follow a structured disciplinary process?"
• Exit Ticket: Before leaving, each student writes down one key takeaway from the lesson on a post-it note.

---

Assessment & Differentiation

• Formative Assessment: Group discussions and scenario analysis will determine students' understanding.
• Teacher Scaffolding: Support struggling students by prompting them with guiding questions (e.g., "Has this behaviour happened before?").
• Higher Ability Challenge: Encourage deeper discussion on fairness in disciplinary processes and examples of real-life workplace disputes in business news.

---

Teacher Reflection Notes

• Did students engage actively with the scenario cards?
• Were there any misconceptions about workplace discipline?
• Would an extra real-world case study enhance future lessons?

---

This lesson encourages critical thinking, debate, and real-world business understanding—equipping students with workplace readiness skills in an interactive and engaging way! 🚀