Punitive vs. "just" culture

If the organizational environment is punitive, employees will be discouraged from reporting events, whether the events reflect their personal errors or errors committed by others.

Employees may fear punishment, disciplinary action, or accumulation of error data in their personnel files that would impact performance assessments.

In a just culture, investigators look beyond the event to the behavior and intent of the persons involved. Most events are unintended; therefore, the reports are regarded as sources of information and no discipline is involved. Only in a very limited number of circumstances are event reports linked with disciplinary action.

Although a high reporting level is actually a positive outcome of MERS-TM, fear of punishment and fear of embarrassment will inhibit reporting.

To achieve a high reporting level, an organization must eliminate impediments to reporting, which includes creating a just culture in which confidential reporting is facilitated and encouraged.