Discipline & Termination

Issuing an oral reprimand

June 20, 2018
The first step in formal disciplinary action is an oral reprimand. Before you take this major step, however, be sure of the facts.

When the attire is much too casual

May 17, 2018
If your company doesn’t have much of a written dress code, you still need to address those whose attire crosses the careless and inappropriate line. You’ll know it when you see it. Here’s how to handle it.

3 bad behaviors you may be missing

December 22, 2017

Negative employee behavior doesn’t have to be truly egregious (e.g., abusive or insubordinate) to hurt your team. Seemingly minor or innocent actions can cause big conflict. Here are three common—but often ignored—problem behaviors.

Go ahead, let them move the goal post!

November 13, 2017
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Fired for her one-finger salute to Trump: Does she have a case?

November 9, 2017
A Virginia woman created a social media storm last month when she was photographed giving the presidential motorcade the middle finger while riding her bike. When she notified her bosses at Akima, a federal contracting firm, that she was the woman in the photo, they instantly fired her and escorted her out.

How to question a witness about a workplace incident

October 11, 2017

In questioning someone, you suddenly gain power over that person … and it’s incredibly easy for that to go wrong.

Lessons from the Courts: September ’17

August 25, 2017
Firing a worker after a leave request for surgery? Beware.

Theft of a colleague’s work

August 23, 2017
What do you do if you have proof that a co-worker is claiming a colleague’s work as his or her own? Address the issue immediately. The person is lying and stealing from co-workers, and the behavior must end.

Should you ‘write up’ an employee?

August 23, 2017
When it comes to negative employee behavior, should you jump to write a formal written warning? It depends. Start with a face-to-face meeting to discuss issues and set expectations, but if that doesn’t work, draft a written warning.

Laying people off? Better have answers for them

July 27, 2017
HR executive and trainer Paul Falcone has offered solid sample answers to the questions you never thought you’d have to hear.