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Terminations

Reorg? Treat staffing decisions like hiring

03/05/2012

After companies merge, there are often too many employees for the remaining available positions. That’s especially true when the new entity also reorganizes operations. Some employees will wind up on the chopping block. Be careful how you choose termination candidates. The best approach is to treat the decision like a hiring or promotion.

Key to quick lawsuit dismissals: Clear documentation of discipline decisions

03/01/2012
It’s always wise to keep careful records showing exactly why you terminate employees. They’re crucial if an employee ever sues. By showing specific reasons why you fired someone, you will be able to show the court that the termination was appropriate.

Take a pay cut or leave: Is such a demand legal?

02/28/2012
Q. We’ve concluded that a small group of our employees don’t appreciate their jobs. We’d like to post their jobs and replace employees who won’t take a pay cut with unemployed people who will work for a lower wage. Is this a problem?

Boss recommends firing? Check for bias

02/27/2012
Before disciplining or discharging an employee based on a supervisor’s recommendation, make sure you independently investigate the reason. That’s the only surefire way to avoid “rubber-stamping” a biased supervisor’s hidden agenda.

Retire or be fired? Put offer terms in writing

02/24/2012
Occasionally, a good employee messes up after years of service. Before you suggest that he retire instead of being discharged, have your attorney put the offer in writing.

Panera Bread gets double helping of bias litigation

02/22/2012
A Panera Bread franchisee faces an additional lawsuit charging racial discrimination in the wake of a manager’s suit that claims he was fired for refusing to follow a racist directive.

Firing OK for breaking no-dating policy?

02/22/2012
Q. Our company policy prohibits managers from dating subordinates. I have just learned that a manager has violated this rule. May we terminate him?

Court: False harassment complaint is grounds for termination

02/22/2012
A recent state appellate court decision offers clarification about how employers can handle an employee’s false or exaggerated sexual harassment complaints.

21 ‘golden parachutes’ each worth $100 million+

02/14/2012
21 U.S. CEOs received “golden parachutes” worth more than $100 million each between 2000 and 2011, according to a new report by GovernanceMetrics International.

Franco’s first director role: a legal comedy

02/14/2012
What’s weirder: Actor James Franco earning a D in a drama class, or a NYU professor alleging he got fired for ­giving Franco the lousy grade?