Our editors boast more than 60 years of experience in employment law and HR related topics. Find advice to those tricky issues such as when to terminate, as well as stay up to date with the latest regulations as they occur.
Disciplinary and termination meetings are emotionally charged events that carry the potential for nasty words, hurt feelings and even legal troubles. You need to be prepared for anything, including employees who “let it all out” in long, loud tirades.
Read MoreMost handbooks explain the kinds of employee misconduct that might warrant termination. However, it’s impossible to envision every situation that might add up to a firing offense. That’s OK. 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreEven if you don’t believe you will have to eliminate jobs any time soon, it’s probably a good idea to start formulating preliminary layoff plans now so you can move quickly if the need arises.
Read MoreIn addition to being gut-wrenching for HR, layoffs are a legal landmine. Here are four layoff errors to avoid.
Read MoreTo date, 13 states have adopted their own versions of WARN. Some cover smaller layoffs than the federal WARN Act. Others add a longer notice period. And several also require providing severance payments to laid-off employees in addition to providing advance notice.
Read MoreEmployees who think they’re about to be disciplined or fired often look for ways to delay or prevent the inevitable. A favorite tactic: invoking the job protections built into the FMLA and ADA. However, there’s a foolproof way to protect against these frivolous charges.
Read MoreAn employee has recently provided two weeks’ notice of his intent to resign. Can I tell the worker that he is not needed for the two weeks and avoid paying him for that time?
Read MoreTerminations 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.
Read MoreThe cost of defending even a meritless lawsuit can run into the thousands of dollars. One way to prevent such costs and embarrassment is to teach supervisors to avoid angering employees in the first place. Train them to be aware of these four common mistakes.
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