Employee Termination

Firing, or employee termination, is the process of ending someone’s employment. As a business function, it includes:

• Reviewing the reason: Confirm the facts, performance records, or conduct concerns behind the decision.
• Checking the decision: Apply company policies consistently and review any employment agreement. Ensure the decision does not involve unlawful discrimination or retaliation. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Approving and documenting it: Record who made the decision, the reason, and the effective date.
• Meeting with the employee: Communicate the decision clearly, respectfully, and privately.
• Handling final pay and benefits: Calculate wages owed and provide required benefits information. Final paycheck deadlines can depend on state law. U.S. Department of Labor
• Completing the handoff: Recover company property, update system access, and reassign unfinished work.
• Maintaining records: Keep termination documents and update payroll and personnel records.

The goal is to handle a difficult decision fairly, accurately, and respectfully while protecting the employee’s rights and the business’s operations.