How To Conduct A Proper Termination

Last week, several clients did what sometimes needs to be done:  they terminated an employee’s employment.

Some of the reasons for last week’s terminations included:

  • Attendance issues; refusal to adhere to their job description.
  • Alcohol and substance abuse on company property.
  • Complaints from team members and clients about the employee; creating a toxic work environment.

Some points to remember when terminating an employee:

  • Let the employee know of the decision in person, face-to-face.
  • Make certain you have a witness present.
  • If you cannot terminate in person, terminate by phone or Zoom, but do have a witness present.
  • The message to the employee should be short; the decision has been made – there is no need for a detailed explanation.
  • Kansas is a right to work, employee “at will” state, so you do not need to do anything else.
  • Do not provide a termination letter.   It is not required or needed, and to the employee it feels as if they are being terminated twice.  Once is enough.
  • All documentation pertaining to the termination should be placed in the former employee’s personnel file – nowhere else.

If you have questions or concerns about how to conduct a proper termination, please feel free to contact HR Partners anytime for assistance on terminations or for any other HR matter.  (785) 233-7860.

What our clients say...

East Texas Electric Cooperative

Tambra Offield
Officer Manager
East Texas Electric Cooperative

“I first met Kristina Dietrick and learned of HR Partners at last year’s NRECA Interact conference.  Her presentation on developing an employee handbook was very informative.  Kristina sent me all the materials and introduced me to the staff who worked closely with myself and our General Manager to develop our new employee handbook specifically to fit our needs. 

We were so impressed that when our Board President asked about doing an evaluation of our General Manager’s performance, that we immediately thought of HR Partners.”

We can’t thank HR Partners enough for all their help with our GM’s review process.  Their knowledge and experience made the process so easy. 

I have recommended CBS to all 10 of our distribution cooperative members for all their human resources needs.