The Correct Way to Terminate an Employee （终止员工的正确方法）.pdf

The Correct Way to Terminate an Employee 1 2 3 By Noah Green, Kelly Ryan, and Martin Levy A. Introduction Terminating employees is one of the most unpleasant aspects of a business owner or manager’s job duties, but sometimes it is absolutely necessary in order to continue the business of the employer. But if terminating an employee is necessary, then it should be performed in the most ethical, and professional manner possible. Following the proper protocol in conducting the termination softens the blow to the terminated employee (who is very often surprised that they are being terminated); protects the business from potential litigation arising from the termination; and reassures the owner or manager that they did the right thing. Whether the terminated employee was a good worker or a bad worker is irrelevant. The decision to terminate an employee, once made, sets in motion a number of duties of the employer to handle the termination in a professional manner preserving the dignity of the terminated employee and protecting the employer’s interests as the employer does not want to see an angry former employee down the road in court. Below is a short primer on the usual issues, both legal and professional, that arise under California law surrounding the termination of an employee. This article collects some of the information and observations we have gathered over the years and which we use to assist our clients as they navigate their way through this difficult area. B. Should You Terminate? There are a wide variety of reasons why employers would terminate an employee. As long as those reasons are not impermissible in accordance with California and Federal law, then the question of whether or not to terminate an employee