Employee Downsizing, Layoff, & Termination
CCH Business Owner's ToolKit The Business Owner's Toolkit presents the following articles (among others): Termination Meeting Checklist & Employee Exit Interview Form Twelve step plan for conducting a termination meeting and a simple form to use when interviewing employees who leave voluntarily. Setting Up the Termination Meeting Who, when, and where? What to Do at a Termination Meeting Succinct and clear steps for conducting a termination meeting. Using Proper Termination Procedures To avoid potential lawsuits, it's important to use proper termination procedures; this article outlinesprocedures for a number of discharge situations. Before Firing for Misconduct or Poor Work Overview of the steps you need to take before firing someone for insubordination, breaking a work rule, or other types of misconduct. Conducting an Investigation Basic and advanced advice for conducting investigations. What if you fire someone on the spot? What to do if you make the mistake of firing someone on the spot. Fair Measures Corp: Wrongful Terminations Extensive FAQ on wrongful terminations and firings—makes for interesting reading. Ten Tips to Prevent Termination Headaches (2004) Solid advice written from a lawsuit-prevention point of view: Follow your written termination policies Investigate thoroughly before considering termination Consider alternatives to termination in appropriate cases Give the employee an opportunity for corrective action before termination, where appropriate Carefully consider each step of the termination Document the causes for termination Plan the details of the termination meeting Give the employee the real reason for the termination Limit your discussions of the termination Evaluate your termination process on a regular basis Jeff Olsen: How to Stay Calm While Firing a Worker (2001) Addresses the difficulty of firing and includes tips for conducting a firm but polite termination interview.