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Terminations

Title VII doesn’t cover sexual orientation

03/05/2013
While several ballot initiatives nationwide show there has been a change in how the general public perceives same-sex relationships, sexual orientation is still not a protected class under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Protect against bias allegations: Involve hiring manager in any termination decision

03/05/2013
It’s a good standard policy: The person (or persons) who made the hiring decision should also take part in any firing decision. That way, the employee can’t argue that discrimination based on an obvious protected characteristic like race, sex or handicap must have been at work.

Employee won’t stop working off the clock? Don’t dock his pay; fire for misconduct

03/04/2013
Make sure managers know they can’t turn a blind eye to unpaid work by hourly employees. What can employers do? Don’t dock their pay. Instead, warn them—and then discipline them.

Remind bosses: Steer clear of comments about employees’ use of FMLA leave

02/28/2013

Some supervisors just can’t seem to resist offering “helpful” career advice to subordinates. But remarks concerning absences that are covered by the FMLA could be viewed as interference with a protected right, not good career advice. And that could spur a needless lawsuit if the employee is terminated.

Worried about firing the only minority employee?

02/20/2013

If your workplace isn’t exactly the picture of diversity, the need to fire your only minority employee may worry you. Isn’t that just courting a lawsuit? Maybe—but that’s no reason to retain a poor performer.

Court nixes temp restraining orders for bias complaints

02/20/2013

Employees’ attorneys have come up with a unique way to interfere with an employer’s right to fire employees. Workers who fear that they’re on the verge of being fired are seeking temporary restraining orders to stop the discharge. Fortunately, not all judges are going along with the ploy.

Give HR the last word on terminations: Supervisor bias can taint firing decisions

02/20/2013
It’s never a good idea to “throw the book” at an employee just be­­cause a supervisor wants to get rid of her. Before approving discipline, check to make sure this isn’t an illegal effort to terminate. Ask why the supervisor wants to fire the employee.

Yes, you can fire for working off the clock

02/20/2013

Some employees refuse to follow rules prohibiting off-the-clock work. Some—insisting they can’t complete their work any other way—may clock out and then return to work. That puts employers at risk for wage-and-hour lawsuits. You don’t have to put up with it.

Personal business at work? That’s misconduct

02/20/2013
Employees who violate rules against doing personal business at work are engaging in misconduct. That can make them ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits.

Economic conditions require worker layoffs? Be honest about reason for termination

02/20/2013
No one wants to have to explain why an employee just lost her job. But passing the buck and coming up with inconsistent excuses are the worst possible approaches. Instead, make sure the information comes from one source—preferably HR—and stick with a defensible reason.