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| Introduction | |
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| The High Cost of Problem Employees | |
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| How This Book Can Help | |
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| Who Should Read This Book | |
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| Who Should Not Read This Book | |
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| What's Your Problem? | |
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| Performance or Productivity Problems | |
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| Interpersonal Problems | |
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| Insubordination | |
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| Excessive Absenteeism | |
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| Drugs and Alcohol | |
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| Theft and Dishonesty | |
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| Violence | |
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| Employment Law Basics | |
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| Employment at Will | |
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| Employment Contracts | |
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| Breaches of Good Faith and Fair Dealing | |
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| Violations of Public Policy | |
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| Discrimination and Retaliation | |
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| Performance Evaluations | |
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| The Benefits of an Evaluation System | |
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| Create Performance Objectives | |
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| Observe and Document Employee Performance | |
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| Conduct Interim Meetings to Discuss Progress and Problems | |
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| Conduct the Year-End Evaluation | |
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| Progressive Discipline | |
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| The Benefits of Progressive Discipline | |
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| The Steps of Progressive Discipline | |
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| How Progressive Discipline Works | |
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| Guidelines for Avoiding Legal Trouble | |
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| Sample Progressive Discipline Policy | |
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| Complaints and Investigations | |
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| When Investigation is Necessary | |
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| Complaint Policies and Procedures | |
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| Preparing to Investigate | |
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| Conducting Interviews | |
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| Written and Physical Evidence | |
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| Employees' Rights to Privacy | |
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| Making the Decision | |
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| Dispute Resolution Programs | |
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| Types of Alternative Dispute Resolution | |
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| Which Procedures Are Right for Your Company? | |
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| Tips for Creating an Effective Program | |
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| Making the Decision to Fire | |
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| Is It Time to Consider Firing? | |
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| Making the Decision to Fire: An Employer's Checklist | |
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| Planning for the Aftermath | |
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| Legal Constraints on What You Say | |
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| What to Tell Coworkers | |
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| What to Tell Reference Seekers | |
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| Continuing Health Insurance | |
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| Unemployment Compensation | |
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| Written Explanations of the Termination | |
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| Severance and Releases | |
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| Are You Obligated to Pay Severance? | |
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| Should You Pay Severance? | |
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| Should You Ask for a Release? | |
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| What Should You Offer? | |
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| Writing a Release | |
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| Agreements to Protect Your Business | |
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| How to Fire | |
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| The Termination Meeting | |
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| The Exit Interview | |
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| Looking Forward | |
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| Improve Your Hiring Process | |
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| Workplace Policies | |
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| Researching the Law and Hiring a Lawyer | |
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| When to Hire a Lawyer | |
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| How to Find a good Lawyer | |
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| Legal Fees | |
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| Firing a Lawyer | |
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| Firing a Lawyer | |
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| Doing Your Own Legal Research | |
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| Appendix | |
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| Federal Agencies That Enforce Workplace Laws | |
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| Federal Fair Employment Laws | |
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| State Laws Prohibiting Discrimination in Private Employment | |
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| Agencies That Enforce Laws Prohibiting Discrimination in Employment | |
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| Departments of Labor | |
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| State Departments of Insurance | |
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| State Workers' Compensation Agencies | |
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| State OSHA Laws and Offices | |
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| Index | |