Terminating an Employee Relationship

This course, presented by Littler Mendelson shareholder S. Jeanine Conley, will explore what issues an employer should consider when deciding whether to terminate an employee relationship and steps an employer can take to avoid litigation or reduce liability in an environment where employment actions continue to rise. Although the majority of employees are at-will and can be terminated for any reason, employment laws create limitations on an employee's at-will status. Employers must fully understand these limitations and take proactive steps, like properly documenting performance, to ensure that their terminations are lawful. The course will also cover recent developments concerning separation and confidentiality agreements and trade secret considerations during the termination process.

Learning Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of what protected classes are covered under various federal and state employment discrimination laws, what laws apply to employees with disabilities or medical conditions, and various whistleblower statutes
2. Understand what employer actions are lawful and unlawful under these statutes
3. Develop best practices for terminating an employee relationship, and review what steps an employer should take pre- and post-termination
4. Study recent developments concerning separation and confidentiality agreements