Navigating Employee Terminations: Mitigating Reputational Risks

Overview:

In the United States, most employment relationships adhere to the 'at-will' doctrine, providing flexibility but also presenting significant challenges for HR professionals. Despite this flexibility, the potential for wrongful termination claims is a notable risk, with approximately 11.7% of U.S. companies facing the possibility of litigation. Such lawsuits can be costly, with trial cases averaging up to $200,000 and settlements around $40,000. Furthermore, poorly managed terminations can tarnish the reputations of 70% of companies involved.

A robust termination process emphasizes transparent communication to prevent surprises and ensures fairness throughout. Proper documentation, careful planning of the termination discussion, and thoughtful post-termination follow-up are crucial. These practices help protect both the organization and employee dignity while minimizing reputational risks.

Join our webinar on Managing Employee Terminations to gain practical strategies and insights for handling this sensitive process. Learn how to conduct termination discussions with empathy, manage reductions in force thoughtfully, draft effective termination letters, and handle post-termination responsibilities. Discover how to navigate employee terminations ethically and responsibly, ensuring your actions support both organizational integrity and employee respect.

Areas covered during the Session:

• Discussion on “Employment at Will”
• No Surprises
• The Importance of Work Standards
• The Concept of Fairness
• Events Leading to Termination
• Documentation
• Planning the Termination Discussion
• Holding the Termination Discussion
• Written Termination Letter
• What Not To Do
• Post Termination
• Reductions in Force
• Action Items

Why you should attend?

Drawing on 40 years of practical human resources experience, our speaker offers a guide to handling employee terminations with confidence and empathy. He will demonstrate how to avoid common pitfalls that can harm your organization's reputation and the morale of remaining employees.

Emphasizing transparent communication, thorough documentation, and a fair approach that balances company and employee needs, you'll learn proven methods to plan and conduct termination discussions. This will foster a respectful and compliant culture while minimizing legal and financial risks.

Whether managing a single dismissal or overseeing larger reductions in force, this session equips you with practical tools to handle every termination thoughtfully and ethically.

Note: This webinar offers practical insights and is intended for informational purposes only, not as legal advice.

Who should attend?

• Human Resources Managers
• HR Directors
• HR Generalists
• HR Business Partners
• Employee Relations Specialists
• Talent Management Professionals
• HR Payroll Professionals
• Operations Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Labor Relations Managers
• Department Managers
• Supervisors and Team Leaders

Presenter Bio:

Bob McKenzie, has over 40 years of human resources management experience. His background includes a wide range of hands-on experience in all areas of Human resources management in all types of industries within the public and private sectors.

Bob has been cited in a number of Human Resources trade publications. Among them are HR.com, HR Magazine, HR Florida Review, Vault.com, BNA and the Institute of Management and Administration and the Business Journal. He has been a speaker at a number of conferences as well as audio and web-based seminars.

Bob is a graduate of Rider University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree and double majored in Industrial Relations and Organizational Behavior.

Note for Attendees:

Live attendees will receive a WebEx meeting invitation upon successfully completing the registration.

Please note that if you have registered two or more attendees, each participant will receive their own WebEx invitation from the organizer at a later time. The registered user will receive an email from the organizer requesting details for all other participants.

Participants who have opted for the recorded version of the program will receive a WebEx link within 4 hours after the event's completion. Using this link, participants can view or download the event at their convenience.