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Firing

Protect your right to terminate higher-ups with broadly worded ‘for-cause’ clause

08/22/2016
Most of the people who work for you are probably classified as at-will employees, but some high-level employees may work under written employment contracts that cover such issues as trade secrets and the employee’s right to compete with you after termination.

Good worker, bad attitude? Fire if you must

08/15/2016
You may have to fire an otherwise good worker if his attitude is bad enough. Be sure to document the misbehavior.

Minnesota legislature overhauls Veterans’ Preference Act

08/15/2016
The Minnesota state legislature has made significant employer-friendly changes to the veterans’ preference law that state, county, and municipal governments must follow, making it easier to terminate employees who aren’t working out.

Minnesota state wage law allows wrongful discharge suit

08/15/2016
A Minnesota appeals court has ruled that workers fired for refusing to go along with Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act (MFLSA) violations can sue and recover damages.

Different severance OK–if there’s a legal rationale

08/11/2016
When planning a reduction in force, you can offer different employees different severance payments—as long as it’s based on a nondiscriminatory reason, such as length of service.

Beware giving contradictory reasons for discharge

08/09/2016
Want to terminate an employee? Make sure that if you state a reason, you do so consistently.

Kids these days: Summer interns’ petition backfires

07/15/2016
Alison Green gets lots of comments on her “Ask A Manager” blog, but 1,200 on a single post?

Good faith: It’s what courts want to see in discipline

07/13/2016
When it comes to discipline, employees aren’t entitled to the equivalent of a jury trial. It’s good enough that the employer investigated and considered the employee’s input before deciding in good faith on a course of action.

You don’t have to fire just because of one comment

07/08/2016
Employers are required to take reasonable steps to stop comments that are particularly offensive. That doesn’t automatically mean you have to fire an offensive employee. You can discipline instead and hope that fixes the problem.

Repeated false complaints? That’s grounds for firing

07/06/2016
You know that employee who always seems to be filing meritless discrimination or harassment complaints? You can and should discipline that guy.