Is Rotating Employees for Poor Performance a Fair Disciplinary Action? Seeking Opinions

A company has a policy for employees regarding their rotation. The company has the right to rotate an employee after 18 months of employment in a department. My concern is that the HR department is transferring an employee due to concerns about the employee's weak performance. Please share your opinion on whether this transfer should be considered a disciplinary action or not?

As your firm is following a policy of routine rotation, irrespective of performance, there is no strong reason for the transfer of a particular person; it's not a disciplinary action. If the transfer is effected before 18 months as stipulated, it could be seen as outside the rotation roster. I don't think it can be viewed as a disciplinary action.

Rotation Practices and Employee Suitability

Rotation, as your established practices, is a limited option because no two jobs or positions are the same. An individual with specific academic qualifications, work experience, aptitude, and other suitability factors may be very suitable for one role but not at all good for another similar post or job; hence, exercise discretion.

Underperformance and Disciplinary Action

Underperformance is a reason for initiating disciplinary action, in which case transferring elsewhere may be viewed as an act of depriving career growth. Disciplinary action connotes an alleged act of misconduct.

Kritarth Team, 19.7.2020