9Termination and DischargeHow Do I Fire an Employee Legally and Humanely?

WHENEVER YOU HIRE AN EMPLOYEE, you have high hopes that you have made a good decision and that the employment relationship will be a long and mutually beneficial one. Sometimes, however, the arrangement does not work out as anticipated and you may want to end the employment relationship and hire someone more suitable for the position.

Firing an employee is never easy. Since it is difficult to tell people that they are going to lose their jobs, some employers will ignore a situation until it gets out of hand—and then suddenly and swiftly discharge the problem employee. This type of rash action can have painful consequences. Wrongful termination lawsuits are common, expensive, ...

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