Employers that discipline or terminate employees for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons may still find themselves facing discrimination or other legal challenges to the decision. The best way for employers to protect themselves in these situations is to remember – Document, Document, Document!

Even if a jury disagrees with a company’s decision to discipline or terminate an employee, or may think that the decision was in error, as long as the employer genuinely believed the truth of their stated, non-discriminatory reason for the decision, the employee will be unable to prove discrimination. The most effective way to support an employer’s genuine belief is complete, contemporaneous, and objective documentation of the employee actions and statements on which the decision is based. 

Helping employers develop effective HR practices, is but one of the many services provided by Management 2000, a Professional Employer Organization. The HR Professionals at Management 2000’s offices in Indianapolis, Indiana and Dayton Ohio provide HR support to employers regarding a variety of HR issues, including discipline and discharge, compliance, recruiting and retention, and training.