Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Effective Handling of Employee Terminations

It's an unfortunate reality in the workplace…eventually, you may need to terminate an employee. Terminations are difficult on both a personal and professional level…how can you protect your company from litigation, while at the same time fostering a productive workforce? How can you address an awkward termination discussion with honesty and empathy, while still maintaining legal compliance?

Employment law attorney Jonathan Light will discuss the do's and don'ts of employee terminations.

Topics covered:

• How do you know when it's really time to terminate (and alternatives to termination)
• Why there's no such thing as "at-will employment" in a termination meeting
• How to terminate a long-time employee--special considerations
• What steps should you take prior to terminating an employee?
• What documents should be in your file before you terminate?
• What documents should you prepare for the termination meeting?
• How to handle the termination process
• Severance and release options
• What to say to the rest of your team
• What to say to your clients
• Protecting your company information and equipment after termination
• The aftermath of termination...now what?

About the Speaker:

Jon Light has more than 30 years of experience in the field of employment law, is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has been named multiple times as one of Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” by Los Angeles Magazine. As the managing attorney at LightGabler, Jon and his team members consult with more than 2,000 companies throughout California regarding their day-to-day employment law needs.

Jon has successful jury trial, court trial, appellate, Labor Commission and binding arbitration results in lawsuits and administrative claims involving wrongful termination, sexual harassment, race discrimination, class action, wage & hour, and other employment related matters. He has also appeared on behalf of employers with the federal EEOC and Labor Department, the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the National Labor Relations Board, and other government agencies involved with employment law issues.

Jon frequently speaks to employer and human resources groups, including Employer Advisory Councils (EACs), PIHRA, NHRA, and numerous business associations such as CPA forums, manufacturers associations, Dental and Medical Societies, and Chambers of Commerce. He lectures on topics such as avoiding sexual harassment claims, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, performance documentation, business and employment law pitfalls, supervisor strategies, employment law updates, and preparing employee handbooks.

Jon is a graduate of the UCLA School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is the author of two editions of the nationally acclaimed and award winning book, The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball, for which he had a year-long 15 minute weekly radio broadcast. He resides in Camarillo with his wife of 37 years, Angela, a public school teacher. Their twin daughters are based on the east coast after attending college there, although they each work or attend graduate school abroad.