Dealing With Problem Employees: How to Manage Performance & Personal Issues in the Workplace

Cover
Title Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	The High Cost of Problem Employees
	How This Book Can Help
	Who Should Use This Book
	Who Should Not Use This Book
1: What’s Your Problem?
	Performance or Productivity Problems
	Interpersonal Problems
	Insubordination
	Excessive Absenteeism
	Drugs and Alcohol
	Theft and Dishonesty
	Violence
	When Technology Is the Problem
2: Employment Law Basics
	Employment at Will
	Employment Contracts
	Breaches of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
	Violations of Public Policy and Retaliation
	Discrimination
	Unfair Labor Practices
3: Performance Evaluations
	The Benefits of an Evaluation System
	Step 1:	Create Performance Objectives
	Step 2:	Observe and Document Employee Performance
	Step 3:	Conduct Interim Meetings to Discuss Progress and Problems
	Step 4: Conduct the Year-End Evaluation
4: Progressive Discipline
	The Benefits of Progressive Discipline
	The Steps of Progressive Discipline
	How Progressive Discipline Works
	Guidelines for Avoiding Legal Trouble
	Sample Progressive Discipline Policy
5: Complaints and Investigations
	When Investigation Is Necessary
	Complaint Policies and Procedures
	Preparing to Investigate
	Conducting Interviews
	Written and Physical Evidence
	Employees’ Rights to Privacy
	Making the Decision
6: Dispute Resolution Programs
	Types of Alternative Dispute Resolution
	Which Procedures Are Right for Your Company?
	Tips for Creating an Effective Program
7: Making the Decision to Fire
	Is It Time to Consider Firing?
	Making the Decision to Fire: An Employer’s Checklist
8: Planning for the Aftermath
	Legal Constraints on What You Say
	What to Tell Coworkers
	What to Tell Reference Seekers
	Continuing Health Insurance
	Unemployment Compensation
	Written Explanations of the Termination
9: Severance and Releases
	Are You Obligated to Pay Severance?
	Should You Pay Severance?
	Should You Ask for a Release?
	What Should You Offer?
	Preparing a Release
	Agreements to Protect Your Business
10: How to Fire
	The Termination Meeting
	The Exit Interview
11: Looking Forward
	Improve Your Hiring Process
	Workplace Policies
12: Researching the Law and Hiring a Lawyer
	When to Hire a Lawyer
	How to Find a Good Lawyer
	Legal Fees
	Working With Your Lawyer
	Firing a Lawyer
	Doing Your Own Legal Research
Appendix A: Using the Downloadable Forms
	Editing RTFs
	List of Forms
Appendix B: State and Federal Laws
	Federal Agencies That Enforce Workplace Laws
	Federal Fair Employment Laws
	State Laws Prohibiting Discrimination in Employment
	State OSHA Laws and Offices
Index
Book Registration & Updates