56 Best Employee Warning Notice Templates

1. Clear Purpose and Scope
State the specific misconduct or performance issue, the date of the incident, and the policy or standard violated. This ensures consistency across cases and reduces ambiguity in the documentation.

2. Progressive Discipline and Consequences
Outline the warning level (verbal or written), required corrective actions, and potential next steps if no improvement. This provides a fair, step-by-step path and minimizes legal risk.

3. Documentation and Sign-off
Include space for employee acknowledgement, manager signature, and dates, along with references to any supporting evidence. Keep copies in the employee's personnel file and maintain confidentiality.