Joe. a project team member, has had excessive absences and poor work performance. The project manager has spoken with Joe and his manager multiple times with no success. Joe's negativity is…

Progressive discipline requires escalating corrective actions in sequence, and since prior conversations with Joe and his manager have been unsuccessful, issuing a formal final warning is the next appropriate step before removal. This approach documents that the project manager exhausted all reasonable corrective options, which protects the organization and ensures fairness. A direct confrontation with a clear ultimatum also gives Joe a final opportunity to choose to correct his behavior.

Rationalizing the importance of teamwork repeats an approach that has already been attempted multiple times without producing any change in Joe's behavior.

Escalating directly to the sponsor introduces executive stakeholders into an HR matter prematurely, bypassing the progressive discipline process that should precede such escalation.

Removing Joe without first issuing a formal final warning skips a required step in progressive discipline and exposes the project manager and organization to claims of unfair or inconsistent treatment.