Which one of the following best describes Progressive discipline?

This sequence omits the verbal warning step entirely, moving directly to a written warning and skipping the initial informal discussion stage that is foundational to the progressive discipline model.

This describes building a documentation record of incompetence or insubordination, which is a recordkeeping practice supporting discipline, not the definition of the step-by-step escalating warning process itself.

Progressive discipline follows a defined escalating sequence - discussion of substandard performance, verbal warning, written warning, and final written warning - ensuring employees receive incremental and documented notice before more severe consequences are applied. This ordered approach is the standard HR definition of progressive discipline and guarantees procedural fairness at each stage. The progression from verbal to written communication distinguishes it from other corrective action models.

This describes the documentation that precedes each disciplinary step, which is a procedural support practice rather than the definition of what progressive discipline is as a process.