How many chances should an employee be given before a written warning warning is issued? Can you give an example?

I personally would give one chance of verbal discipline, the second time it's a formal warning letter. Of course it also depends on the violation, you can't give a warning to an accountant who cooked the books and stole money, or a security guard who didn't do the duty of a security guard, some violations require termination on the spot and a police call, but some only need a verbal discipline. 

Thanks 

It depend on mistake itself, but in general two chances are enough before the written warning , since the employee should learn the internal procedures and methods of work well 

Erring is human!

It it is for the first time and costing to company, a counselling is enough. For repeat, written warning once only.

The answer of this question varies for each country due to legal angel involved in it.

It depends upon the nature of violation done & the labour laws applicable in that country. However the warning & termination process should be explained in detail & must be a part of HR Handbook & Induction.

Employee should be well aware of it & issued letters must be filed with recipient's signatures on it , it would strengthen the case of employer in case the matter moves to litigation etc.

 

Usually 2 warning letters followed by a termination letter are sufficient enough. 

 

 

Once and then written warning

There is no set "number" of warnings that is given to a any employee, the answer to this depends very highly on the gravity of the offense.  Minor offenses such as using office telephone for a long distance personal call, can be ignored if done very rarely., Annoying but legitimate actions such as drinking all the office coffee can be done with just a verbal warning with no real intention of a written formal warning

 

However some offenses such as theft, blatant disregard for corporate security, and such can be issued a formal warning right away, and grave offenses need no warning before a formal memorandum is issued.

 

All this also applies to the degree of incompetence and not just office circular offenses.

                    It depends in situation and disciplinary policy that HR has

like dress code:- 

                        if violated in organization it lead to final warning and dismiss

                        rather than  other organization  you may get verbal warning

It depends on the wrong or attrocity committed & the impact or significance of its happening. If its a "small one" with no big impact or signifance, two (2) warnings would be viable but if its "big" & with a great impact or significance, then one(1) warning or even sometimes a warning letter or letter of suspension or even expulsion can be issued. Thanx for the invitation

In general, one.

The basic sequence is verbal warning, written warning, dismissal.  Giving multiple verbal warnings undermines the whole process and consequently the morale of the team. 

However, it does of course depend on circumstances and there are many cases where more than one verbal warning may be given.

Firstly, verbal warning only once and that is  all. Next time, it should be written warning providing the explanation  and solid evidence in detail how his/her action has damaged the company image, profit potential, morality etc. so that the employee can not come up for rebuttal. 

The number of chances for the employee

  Depends on the ability to absorb

This employee responds to instructions to him many chances