We must start taking safeguards when the threat perception is perceived, but not after the threat emerges out. This is the pre-emptive stage. Many problems can be solved and a contingency of getting charge sheets warded off, if we are alert and active in this stage. If it is not possible to completely eliminate the problem, we can definitely dilute the crisis and make it less hazardous.
The disciplinary case commences not with the issue of the charge sheet on view point of Charged Officer, but in fact on receipt of the complaint against the CO and the decision to investigate the same. In fact , if the CO is alert, and gets wise according to the saying that "coming events cast forth their shadow", he can reasonably foresee trouble to brew much in advance, when some transaction in which he is connected or concerned brings adverse results and therefore becomes liable for a possible future inquiry. From this moment CO should start working for his safeguards and protection and cause steps to pre-empt the crisis. This is the pre-emptive stage. However the emphasis in the pre-emptive stage is primarily to ward off crisis with reference to the department he serves, which eventually indirectly amounts to working for his own safeguard.
One who faces risk in management, should build instinct expertise in risk management. There is no business venture, which can be managed without accepting reasonable risks. In fact business is a trade off between risks and reward. I have already explained preventive safeguards in the previous label/post, who face a multitude of what may be identified as "white-collar threats"
When some thing goes wrong why the Department charge sheets the charged officer? This is because what had happened has jeopardized the interests of the Department. The employer feels that things have gone wrong only because the charged officer has not acted prudently. Even when some things had not yet gone wrong, the occurrence of a potential threat of damage or loss may induce the department to take such a critical view. But this is a progressive or phased development, as the crisis appears, brews and develops into a full-scale threat or damage, when an investigation, to find out how things went wrong may be ordered, as a prelude to find a scapegoat.
