101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges

CHAPTER 14Summary Offenses (Immediate Discharge)

Terminations for first-time offenses are always challenging for managers. And while most supervisors assume that written warnings are the norm before terminating someone, not all offenses in the workplace are actually subject to progressive discipline. If someone steals from your company, the organization has the right to terminate immediately, even for a first-time offense. In fact, failure to do so could make your company appear irresponsible and set a dangerous precedent in terms of your ability to terminate future thieves. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to give someone a written warning after they steal cash from the register stating, “If you ever steal cash from the register again, ...