Discipline & Termination

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.

How to fire a workplace friend

June 20, 2017
Unfortunately, you’ve reached a point where you must fire an employee—who happens to be a friend. Follow this advice to ensure that you don’t make a bad situation even worse.

Is it legal to fire someone by email?

May 12, 2017
Q. One of my employees works from home. Can I fire her by email, or do I need to call her in to the office?

Worker damaged equipment?

February 23, 2017
Sooner or later you’re going to have to deal with an employee who broke something. Here are some guidelines for your initial response.

Employment Law Q&A: March ’17

February 8, 2017
Q. An employee comes to work wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap. She works out of public view so I can’t use the reason that she might be alienating customers. Can I ban it anyway? – Ren, New York