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Firing

Don’t add fuel when you fire: 6 tips for terminations

09/15/2025
If you supervise employees in any capacity, there will come a time when you need to let someone go. Here are some tips for making the best of a bad situation and avoiding legal trouble in the process.

Discover work mistakes during FMLA? Here’s what to do

06/23/2025
Employees who take FMLA leave are protected from retaliation for doing so. That’s led to the mistaken belief among some employees that they can’t be disciplined or fired while on leave. That’s not the case.

Use this checklist to lawsuit-proof your termination process

06/02/2025
Nothing is more likely to spur a lawsuit than a termination for misconduct or poor performance. Former employees may feel they have nothing to lose by suing you. That’s why you must prepare carefully. Before making a termination decision, you should follow these steps.

OK to terminate even if handbook doesn’t address obvious employee wrongdoing

05/19/2025
If an employee does or says something that clearly requires immediate discharge, don’t let the lack of a handbook policy stop you from acting. Courts usually side with employers that fire workers for behavior that runs counter to the employer’s best interest.

How to fire a probationary employee without triggering a wrongful-discharge lawsuit

05/09/2025
The good news is it’s generally easier to terminate probationary employees than regular employees. Here’s how to pull it off without triggering a lawsuit.

Document termination decision before telling worker

02/28/2025
Always document disciplinary decisions the moment you make them—and before you tell the employee. That way, you can successfully argue that you could not have retaliated against the employee because the decision was made before you knew about their request.

How to ‘lawsuit-proof’ your next termination meeting

02/18/2025
Terminations are probably the hardest things HR professionals have to handle—and probably the most legally dangerous. One wrong word can trigger a lawsuit. You need to keep calm and communicate your message without escalating the tension. Here’s a 10-step process to follow.

Use objective reasons to justify terminations

12/02/2024
Ensure that all terminations are based on solid business reasons. And be sure to carefully document why you decided to terminate, even if you don’t share the rationale with the employee.

Fired whistleblower triggers wide-ranging investigation

09/19/2024
An employee of a day care center who raised health concerns about the center’s kitchen will receive $43,295 in back pay. But it may cost the employer far more.

Fair firing: Avoid masking performance issues with layoffs

08/23/2024
A recent survey by ResumeBuilder.com has unveiled a concerning trend in corporate layoff practices: Many layoffs aren’t intended to cut costs; they’re a way to cull poor performers from the payroll.