Sunday 10 February 2013

Avoid These Mistakes When Letting an Employee Go

By Brad Chase


For a boss , terminating an employee is one of the worst assignments. But that is an essential part of your job. You have to make sure your company performs at its best, so it is up to you to put on your men's suits, march into your office, and weed out any employees who may be keeping you from being successful.

Even as you are letting an employee go you should know that it is a complicated process and you must be cautious. Protect yourself from legal action by staying away from these errors.

Avoiding Mistakes

Be Concerned with Employment Agreement- Determining whether an employee is a right fit should be your main concern while hiring. So you ask them a lot of questions about their experience, their history, and their knowledge in order to decide whether you are hiring the right individual. When you do decide to hire them, however, it is your job to make sure they understand what terms they can expect from you. They should read an employment agreement. Firing regulations should be part of the employment agreement and an employee should know these up front.

Employee Handbooks- Whether it's an official handbook or just a pamphlet, you need to make sure your employees have written policies in place so they know how to act in your office while they are employed. Your company may suffer if you fail to write these policies and provide them to employees. Inability to include policies stating dress code like suits or a tweed jacket and dress trousers can be a problem and these things should be explained. Dressing more informal can invite sexual harassment suits even though some employees may already be dressed in men's suits or men's tweed jackets. In such a case, when you attempt to fire them your policies will still be in place and make your decision rational.

Give a Reason- While many countries now don't require you to have a reason for firing one of your employees, when you walk into your office in your men's suits or men's tweed jackets with the intent of firing an employee, you already need to know exactly why they are being let go. Discrimination lawsuits can ensue as a result of negligence in this case.

Prepare Yourself - Be ready before employee even steps in. Prepare what you will say and gather appropriate paperwork and also be ready with severance pay and check. Know area policies and follow them well before you have to fire an employee.

Be cautious about terminating an employee and don't make these fatal mistakes. You could open yourself up to a lawsuit if you are.




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