MODULE 2: ACCOUNTABILITY

Elements of an Effective Accountability System

Element 4. Effective Consequences

Without an expectation of effective consequences, accountability is not believable and has no credibility. No consequences...no accountability. Consequences need to be appropriate as well as effective. This is the element with which everyone is probably most familiar. Unfortunately, in many companies, consequences are either not appropriate and/or effective.

Effective consequences increase desired behaviors.

Effective consequences have the effect of increasing the frequency of desired behaviors. If employee safety performance meets or exceeds the standards set by the employer, some sort of recognition should follow. On the other hand, if the employee makes an informed choice not to comply with the company's safety rules, some sort of appropriate corrective action should follow. There are various strategies for administering positive and negative consequences. Careful planning is critical to ensure consequences are effective.

Let's take a look at three strategies to consider.