Managers often find disciplining employees and making termination decisions challenging. With every decision you make, there’s risk of a lawsuit. Even the most experienced supervisors encounter stress and anxiety during the process. Having a clear idea of proper disciplinary and termination procedures can prevent you from making costly mistakes. The more you know about how... read more

Before terminating an employee, a manager must carefully prepare to prevent misunderstandings and accusations of illegality. Handling the actual firing session must be done with care. How you treat the person could determine if he or she feels wronged enough to file a lawsuit — even if it has no merit. Be prepared to answer... read more

Documentation is essential when it comes to recording employee disciplinary action, yet it’s often an afterthought for small business owners. Instead of having a detailed history at their fingertips at all times, many owners find themselves building a case after the fact, which is a recipe for disaster. Choose Your Words Carefully When documenting employee... read more

Disciplining employees is challenging for even the most experienced supervisor. That’s why a clear and organized process is so important. It can remove some of the anxiety — and even prevent a costly legal mistake. For discipline to be effective, you want to give your employee the chance to correct the problem. Yet there needs... read more

In an ideal world, employees would always work at peak performance — and they’d never break the rules. But we know that’s not realistic. At some point in their careers, most managers must deal with employee misconduct, poor performance, policy violations and other troublesome issues. And, as with most employee-management responsibilities, this involves careful documentation... read more

People often think of discipline as something negative. It’s what you do to correct the behavior of children or dogs when they misbehave. But discipline is also a positive force that helps you achieve your goals. Consider top athletes and high-achievers; it’s not just skill that makes them successful, but also discipline. No personal success,... read more