What action can be taken when sending an employee home with pay?

Sending an employee home with pay is typically reserved for serious situations. This action is often taken in response to significant concerns such as safety issues, harassment, or behavior that could disrupt the workplace environment. When an employee is sent home in this manner, it serves to protect both the employee and the organization while the situation is assessed.

Using this approach emphasizes the gravity of the circumstances leading to the employee's temporary leave. It also provides the employee with time to reflect on the situation without the added stress of loss of income. In contrast, using paid leave as a punitive measure for minor offenses or as a regular disciplinary practice may undermine the seriousness of the action, turning it into a standard response rather than something that is used judiciously for significant issues. Additionally, it should not be primarily a tool for preventing overtime costs, as that could misalign the purpose of the action with its intended use for more severe situations.