Don't let a bad employee take advantage of you. Here's what you should know...

June 26, 2008

Firing - If your rules are legally sound, you can

Employee dismissal and termination procedure. Step-by-step.

If your rules are legally sound, you can dismiss workers on the spot for employment gross misconduct. As a entrepreneur, you often have to deal with multiple problems, including handling difficult employees. As with all personnel, your separating disabled worker policy should also include discussing the issue with the worker. I recommend you send a hard copy of the lay off documents (termination notice, separation agreement, COBRA notice, final paycheck and severance check) to the employee's home address by certified mail, return-receipt requested. An employee who you fire could potentially have a case for illegal separation if you layoff him or her on impulse with no prior signs her or his job was in jeopardy. From stealing five bucks out of a register to embezzling thousands from your business, worker theft has to dealt with by using some form of punishment.

Don't delegate the phone calls or meetings to a low-level employee or the jobholder's replacement. But be aware you'll need to tailor it to your specific wants. If the worker is in violation of any of the infractions that result in lay off, you're dealing with termination for cause. Can an Insubordinate be a Valuable Worker? If you bring them into your office and explain the situation, whether it is downsizing or poor work performance, the other employees will appreciate your honestly. As long as you are acting within the letter of the law, then yes you can hire or sack for no reason at all within the scope of at will employment. Employee hygiene is important to any firm, but to those that serve or prepare food and to those that work with people it is crucial. After the early pleasantries, you tell the high-risk worker right away you're offering him a package. If a small business owner does not reinforce on regular basis the communication channels between him and his personnel, a departure of a worker can disrupt the company and heavily impact overall worker morale. Or, of course, you may have terminated the worker for bad behavior or poor work productivity.

Permalink • Print
Employee dismissal and termination procedure. Step-by-step.