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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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When Technology Is the Problem | |
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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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Unfair Labor Practices | |
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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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Working With Your 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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State OSHA Laws and Offices | |
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Index | |