When an employee breaks the rules and requires discipline, who is responsible for administering it?

• A. Fellow employees
• B. Personnel office
• C. Upper management
• D. Supervisor

Answer: (D)

Disciplinary action is administered by the supervisor because they have direct oversight of the employee, know the day-to-day operations, and are responsible for enforcing rules and safety procedures on the job. The supervisor can observe the incident, provide coaching, issue warnings, apply progressive discipline if needed, and document the steps consistently with policy to ensure fairness and accountability. Fellow employees don’t have the authority to discipline; they can report concerns. The personnel office handles policy development, records, and administrative steps, while upper management sets overall policy and handles more serious or escalated cases. In a wastewater collection setting, the supervisor is the frontline person who ensures rule compliance and safe, reliable operation, making them the appropriate party to administer discipline.