If it becomes necessary for a supervisor to hold a corrective interview with a worker, good practice dictates that the reprimand should be given:

• A. Informally, in the presence of other workers
• B. In private, in an authoritative manner
• C. By publicly centering attention on the person rather than on the work
• D. In private, in a firm, decisive manner

Answer: (D)

The key idea is to deliver corrective feedback in a private setting with a tone that is firm and decisive. Holding a reprimand privately preserves the worker’s dignity and keeps the focus on the specific behavior and its impact on work, rather than turning the interaction into a public spectacle. A private, firm, and decisive delivery makes the seriousness of the issue clear, clearly states what went wrong, what needs to change, and what will happen if there’s no improvement.

Public reprimands undermine morale, can provoke defensiveness, and shift attention to the person rather than the work. Scolding the worker in front of others or centering on the person rather than the behavior tends to hinder learning and improvement. Keeping the discussion private while being clear and unwavering about expectations helps the employee understand the issue and what is required to move forward.