What is Corrective Action?

No company is immune from accidents, misconduct, and other incidents in the workplace, and employees must understand that corrective action will be taken immediately if their manager witnesses such actions. However, the corrective actions you take in response to these occurrences, make the difference between a functional, enjoyable work culture and a toxic one. Below, we discuss what corrective actions are and how to implement them into your investigative strategy. 

Workplace investigative teams across multiple industries use Case IQ to streamline and automate casework. Download our free CAPA form template today to organize and document your corrective and preventive action strategy. 

Understanding Corrective Actions vs Correction

When an incident or "nonconformity" occurs in the workplace, management needs to take steps to fix it. A correction is a knee-jerk solution that immediately fixes a problem. For example, putting out a fire in the office is a correction. This action eliminates the problem.

Corrective actions, on the other hand, eliminate the root cause of the problem, preventing future issues. The corresponding corrective actions, then, address the root cause of the fire, such as fixing old wiring.

Think of corrective actions as improvements to your organization that you didn't know you needed until an incident occurs. They rectify systemic issues to make your workplace safer.

RELATED: Building an Effective CAPA Plan: Your 8-Step Guide

Examples of Corrective Actions in the Workplace

In the context of human resources, corrective actions focus on discipline. For instance, an employee who harassed a coworker may face warnings, suspension or termination. These actions aim to eliminate the cause of the harassment by reprimanding the harasser.

Accidents or security issues often require more tangible changes to the workplace, such as:

• Installing alarms
• Redesigning or replacing equipment
• Recalibrating tools
• Updating work processes
• Retraining employees on policies and procedures

Say you work in a garment factory and a dyeing machine frequently leaves dye patches on products. You'd correct this by replacing the faulty machine. Or, you work in a restaurant kitchen and fail your health inspection. Corrective actions could include scheduling more regular cleanings or setting traps for pests.

The 8-Step Approach to Determining Corrective Actions

Deciding what actions to take after an incident should be a thoughtful process. While you need to act promptly, don't rush. Create your corrective action plan knowing that your solutions may not be permanent, but with the goal that they will be.

To determine appropriate corrective actions, investigate the incident's root cause(s). Then, decide which actions could reasonably eliminate the causes. Use this 8-step approach when a non-conformity occurs in your workplace:

Don't forget to follow up after implementing your plan to ensure it's working. Make necessary changes to avoid similar nonconformities in the future. Most importantly, communicate the changes you've made to employees. This keeps them in the loop and shows your commitment to a healthy workplace culture.

After you've implemented corrective actions, decide on preventive actions and put them into place. These are steps taken to eliminate the root cause of potential issues. Learn more about preventive actions and how to use them after a nonconformity here.

Furthermore, a risk assessment can stop issues before they start, relieving the stress of creating corrective action plans. Before corrective actions are taken by your manager, use Case IQ’s free risk matrix template to identify gaps and threats in your workplace to reduce incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Corrective Actions

1. What is corrective action for work?

2. Is corrective action a write-up?

Corrective action is not necessarily a write-up; rather, it involves implementing measures to address the root cause of incidents in the workplace to prevent their recurrence. However, in some cases, corrective actions may involve disciplinary measures such as warnings or termination, which could be documented in a write-up.

3. How do you give an employee a corrective action?

To give an employee a corrective action, you should follow a structured process that involves investigating the incident, determining the root cause, deciding on appropriate actions to address it, communicating those actions clearly to the employee, implementing the plan, and following up to ensure effectiveness and prevent similar issues in the future.

4. What are the different types of corrective actions?

Corrective actions can be classified into several types, such as process adjustments, training programs, equipment upgrades, and policy changes. Process adjustments aim to fix inefficiencies or errors in workflows, while training programs help employees understand better practices to avoid mistakes. Equipment upgrades may be necessary if machinery is outdated or malfunctioning, and policy changes can be introduced to address systemic issues and improve overall practices. Each type focuses on addressing root causes and preventing recurrence.

5. What are examples of corrective actions in different industries?

In manufacturing, corrective actions might include replacing faulty machinery or adjusting production processes to ensure quality control. In healthcare, it could involve revising safety protocols or retraining staff to prevent medical errors. In the service industry, corrective actions may involve modifying customer service procedures or enhancing employee training to improve customer satisfaction. Each example targets a specific issue and introduces solutions to prevent similar problems from arising in the future.

6. How do you determine the need for corrective actions?

To determine the need for corrective actions, the first step is to identify any incidents or non-conformities that disrupt regular operations or safety. Analyzing the root causes of these issues helps pinpoint where the problem lies, whether it’s a procedural flaw, inadequate training, or equipment failure. Once the root cause is clear, corrective actions are designed to resolve the underlying issue and prevent it from recurring. This thoughtful and thorough investigation ensures that the chosen actions effectively address the problem.

7. What is the difference between corrective and preventive actions?

Corrective actions address an existing issue by identifying and eliminating its root cause to prevent recurrence. For example, if a machine breaks down due to poor maintenance, a corrective action would involve fixing the machine and improving the maintenance schedule. Preventive actions, on the other hand, are proactive measures taken to prevent potential issues before they occur. For instance, preventive actions might include setting up regular equipment inspections or employee training to avoid mistakes. Both aim to improve systems, but corrective actions focus on fixing existing problems, while preventive actions are designed to stop problems from happening in the first place.

8. Why are corrective actions important for workplace safety?

Corrective actions play a vital role in workplace safety by addressing the underlying causes of incidents or hazards. By investigating the root causes of safety breaches or accidents, corrective actions can eliminate the risks associated with those issues. For instance, if a workplace accident occurs due to faulty machinery, a corrective action would be to repair or replace the equipment and implement regular maintenance checks. These actions reduce the likelihood of future incidents, making the workplace safer for employees and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.