Few employment decisions carry more legal risk than terminating an employee. A termination that is poorly planned, inconsistently handled, or inadequately documented can result in discrimination and retaliation claims, wrongful termination lawsuits, unemployment disputes, employee morale issues, and significant financial and business consequences.
Even when an employer has a legitimate reason for termination, how the decision is made, documented, and communicated can be just as important as the reason for the termination itself.
Employers must understand the legal requirements surrounding employee discipline and termination, recognize potential red flags before making a termination decision, and ensure that managers apply workplace policies consistently and fairly.
Join HR Learning Center for this practical 60-minute live or recorded online webinar and learn how to manage employee terminations while reducing legal risk. This program will examine the most common mistakes employers make before, during, and after a termination—and provide practical strategies for avoiding them.
You will learn how to properly document performance and conduct issues, evaluate whether a termination decision could create discrimination or retaliation concerns, apply policies consistently, prepare effective disciplinary documentation, and conduct termination meetings professionally and appropriately.
Whether you are an HR professional, manager, supervisor, business owner, employee relations professional, or in-house counsel, this webinar will provide practical, actionable guidance for making and documenting termination decisions that are both legally defensible and professionally handled.
What You Will Learn
- The Legal Framework for Terminations: Key federal and state laws that can affect employee discipline and termination decisions
- Employment-at-Will: Understanding the fundamental rule of at-will employment—and its important limitations
- Protected Classes & Protected Activity: Identifying discrimination, retaliation, and other legal issues that should be considered before terminating an employee
- Recognizing Termination Red Flags: Questions HR and managers should ask before making a termination decision
- The Importance of Workplace Policies: How well-drafted and consistently enforced policies can help reduce employer liability
- Consistency in Discipline: How inconsistent application of policies can lead to discrimination and retaliation claims
- Effective Documentation: Best practices for documenting performance problems, misconduct, counseling, and disciplinary action
- Creating a Defensible Paper Trail: What should, and should not, be included in employee documentation
- Writing Effective Disciplinary Warnings: How to draft clear, objective, and legally appropriate disciplinary documentation
- Preparing for the Termination: Steps HR and management should take before proceeding with a termination
- Conducting the Termination Meeting: Strategies for handling difficult termination conversations professionally and reducing unnecessary legal risk
- Termination Documentation: How to prepare clear and effective termination documents and maintain appropriate records
- Common Termination Mistakes: Real-world mistakes that can increase employer liability and practical strategies for avoiding them
- Reducing Litigation Risk: Best practices for evaluating termination decisions and protecting your organization if a claim is later filed
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is ideal for:
- Human Resources Professionals
- Managers and Supervisors
- Employee Relations Professionals
- Business Owners and Executives
- In-House Counsel
- Employment Attorneys
- Operations Managers
- Compliance Professionals
- Anyone responsible for employee discipline, performance management, or termination decisions
HR Learning Center's 60-Minute Employment Law Webinar Includes:
- Live online training conducted by an experienced employment attorney
- Recorded webinar option for convenient on-demand viewing
- PowerPoint presentation covering key legal requirements and best practices
- Practical handouts and resources
- Certificate of Attendance
- Question & Answer Session
Protect Your Organization Before You Make the Termination Decision
A termination decision can create significant legal exposure when the process is inconsistent, poorly documented, or improperly handled. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a termination can make the difference between a well-managed separation and a costly legal dispute.
Join HR Learning Center and learn the practical strategies you need to manage employee terminations confidently, consistently, and with reduced legal risk.