Terminating
an employee? Here's what you must consider before firing.
An employer has several options when confronting an errant
employee. They can dole out written warnings, verbal warnings
or dock pay or vacation time. We will discuss the written warning
template in this article. The written warning template we provide
gives an idea of how to draft a formal notice for unsatisfactory
work, tardiness, or other infraction.
Employee Name
Address
City State, Zip
RE: Written Warning for (unsatisfactory work, tardiness, or
other infraction).
The first paragraph should outline that it serves as a written
warning, the reasons for the written warning, and the cause
of the employee receiving the written warning.
The second paragraph should describe the previous warnings,
if any. This paragraph should also contain the issue in detail,
listing tardy dates, performance issues, or other situations
that caused the warning.
The third paragraph should outline the employee’s right
to appeal the warning. It should also detail the measures that
you will take if another infraction occurs, i.e. docking of
pay, loss of vacation time, or termination.
Sincerely,
(Manager’s Signature)
Print Manager’s Name
The Written Warning Template as a Tool
Not all employees respond to verbal warnings. The written
warning galvanizes the employees understanding that a behavior
or action is out of line with the business’ policies.
The warning can act as a precursor to harsher disciplinary
action. As a tool, the written warning template allows you
to notify an employee formally of their errant behavior, and
then take further suitable action if the warning goes unheeded.
For legal reasons, providing a written warning template to
a wayward employee, can absolve any wrongdoing later. For instance,
an employee might claim that you discriminated against them
during the termination, or that you did not give them ample
warning. The formal written warning gives a paper trail of
misconduct on an employee. You should give copies of all written
warnings to proper heads of department, management, and of
course the employee. By leaving ample evidence of work history,
a manager or small business owner should not have to worry
about any legal cases against them.
The written warning template we provided shows simple and
formal way to tackle insubordinate or errant employees. By
giving a formal notice, employers can hope to change the employee’s
direction and have them become productive again. By sticking
to policy and giving written warnings, employees know that
they are just a few bad decisions away from losing their job,
and most of the time will reform their behavior.
The
employer's guidebook to progressive discipline and employee termination
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