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7 Questions to Ask When Establishing Cause for Disciplining and Terminating Employees - Webinar (ONLINE EVENT: August 25, 2025)

  • Webinar

  • 65 Minutes
  • 25 August 2025 13:00 EST
  • Lorman Business Center, Inc.
  • ID: 6103428

Learn practical framework every employer should ask before taking disciplinary or termination action.

Many employers - especially those in supervisory or HR roles - struggle to determine whether they have sufficient legal and procedural justification to discipline or terminate employees. Unclear policies, inconsistent application of rules, lack of documentation, and inadequate investigations can lead to costly wrongful termination claims, damage to morale, and reputational harm. Managers often act without a clear, structured approach to determining just cause, putting their organizations at legal risk. This presentation introduces a practical framework based on seven critical questions every employer should ask before taking disciplinary or termination action. Participants will learn how to evaluate employee conduct, ensure fair investigations, and determine if disciplinary action is justified and consistent with company policy and the law. Real-world case examples and best practices will guide participants through each step of the process, helping them to avoid common errors and ensure defensible decision-making. This presentation is essential for supervisors, HR professionals, and business owners who want to reduce legal exposure and foster a fair, compliant workplace.

Learning Objectives

  • You will be able to describe the seven critical questions that should be asked before disciplining or terminating an employee.
  • You will be able to discuss the legal and organizational risks associated with im-proper discipline or termination.
  • You will be able to explain how to apply a fair and objective investigative process when evaluating employee misconduct.
  • You will be able to identify gaps in documentation, communication, or consistency that could undermine disciplinary actions.

Agenda

Overview
  • Importance of Due Process in Discipline and Termination
  • Legal Risks of Wrongful Termination Claims
  • Role of Documentation and Consistency in Defensible Decision-Making
The 7 Questions Framework: Establishing Just Cause
  • Did the Employee Know the Rule or Policy That Was Violated?
  • Was the Rule or Policy Reasonable and Fairly Applied?
  • Was a Proper Investigation Conducted Before Action Was Taken?
  • Was the Investigation Fair and Objective?
  • Is There Clear Evidence of Employee Misconduct or Performance Failure?
  • Has Discipline Been Applied Consistently Across Similar Cases?
  • Was the Disciplinary Action Proportionate to the Offense?
Applying the Framework to Real-World Cases
  • Case Study Walkthroughs
  • Group or Individual Analysis: Which Questions Were Missed?
  • Lessons Learned From Past Employer Missteps
Creating a Culture of Preventive Accountability
  • Proactive Coaching and Corrective Feedback
  • Setting Expectations Early Through Onboarding and Handbooks
  • Encouraging Documentation at All Levels of Supervision
Questions and Final Thoughts
  • Addressing Participant Questions
  • Reinforcing Key Takeaway: Use the 7-Question Model Before Acting
  • Providing Resources for Policy Development and Training

Speaker(s)

William J. Rothwell, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, RODC, CPTD Fellow
Rothwell & Associates, Inc.
  • President, Rothwell & Associates, Inc.
  • Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Penn State University
  • Practice emphasizes succession planning, talent development, workforce planning, and HR strategy
  • Regularly speaks at national and international conferences on workforce and talent management
  • Author of over 172 books, including Effective Succession Planning, The Manager’s Guide to HR, and Revolutionizing the Online Learning Journey
  • Member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), Society for Human Resource Management, OD Network, Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD)
  • Ph.D., DBA, M.A., M.B.A., and B.A.

Who Should Attend

This live webinar is designed for human resource managers, personnel managers, employee relations managers, presidents, vice presidents, business owners and managers, payroll managers, accountants, and attorneys.