Which of the following would typically be the last step in a disciplinary process?

The last step in a disciplinary process is often discharge, as it represents the culmination of the disciplinary actions taken against an employee when all other avenues have been exhausted or when the violation is severe enough to warrant immediate dismissal. Discharge indicates that the organization has determined that the employee is no longer suitable for their role, whether due to repeated infractions or a serious breach of policy.

By the time discharge is considered, other steps in the disciplinary process, such as verbal warnings, written warnings, and possibly demotions or transfers, have likely been implemented in an attempt to correct the employee's behavior. Discharge signifies that either the situation has not improved despite these interventions, or the misconduct is egregious enough to bypass previous steps. This ensures that the organization has followed a fair and documented process, protecting both the employee's rights and the organization's interests.