‘Today is your last day here, as ethical as this may sound, no one wants to hear similar, stinging statements. Being fired can have far worse effects than low self-esteem and fear. But before you hear these devastating words from your employer, we have compiled a list – things to notice to avoid an employee’s dismissal. By understanding and avoiding these reasons that lead to an employee’s replacement, you can lower the risk of termination.
If an employee is showing signs of being morally corrupt, it’s a cue for the employer to get rid of them straight away. All business owners know that having an employee with a bad attitude can damage a company’s reputation.
Reasons for Employee Replacement:
Poor Performance and Lack of Drive
Employees who fail to meet their employer’s expectations in any respective field are at the risk of getting fired. If the management has provided proper training to improve your performance, but you still can’t meet the job requirements and perform up to par, the employer has the right to fire you.
Initially, the employees are motivated for their new job, but as time passes, their enthusiasm fades. This will result in the lack of drive and positive motivation a company needs. Lack of enthusiasm can add fire to the fuel in any ongoing employee dismissal process.
Violation of Company Policy
Company policies exist to create a productive workplace and equality among all employees working for an organization. Employee replacement can be difficult to follow through for minor company policy violations. However, severe violations can make employee dismissal warranted.
For example, if an employee violates a company’s social media policy by posting content that can severely distress a company’s image, employee dismissal is justified. For a minor violation, an employee can get off with a gentle reminder. But if they continue to do so, extreme measures can be taken. If one worker gets away with breaking the rules, others are bound to follow soon.
Stealing
Of course, theft is a punishable offense. Not only is it against every company policy but it is also illegal. This includes both petty thefts like a notepad or any stationery item, as well as stealing any bigger company equipment or money. Inc. reports that ‘whether small or large, though, employee theft is a serious issue, causing American businesses $200 billion in annual revenue’. Theft is extremely common, therefore, only those individuals who steal expensive things or items, or embezzled company funds are at serious risk of getting fired.
Too Many Absentees
If you are habitually late or are frequently taking sick leaves, you’ll no doubt face employee replacement. Your absence could become a cause of discontinuity of work – both your own and the work of others on your team. Conclusively, you wouldn’t be called a team member and will face immediate dismissal.
If you go beyond all your vacation days and make a pattern of taking unpaid holidays, this will mean that you are not a hard worker and are unable to add any value to the company. The HR department will be notified of your uncalled-for absences.
Unethical Behavior
Another key factor to get fired is unethical behavior in the workplace. Unethical behavior covers a wide range of misbehavior, for instance, falsifying company records, lying about work tasks, general dishonesty, fraud, slander, theft, and more. It also includes hiding crucial information that could, if revealed to the public, lead to public relations.
Additionally, it can also include expressing a strong disagreeable political stance inside or outside the workplace. Any instance of unethical behavior, no matter how big or small is grounds for employee dismissal. This is an even more important issue when it comes to small businesses, where they will terminate your contract without a warning to salvage their internal culture.
Misuse or Damage of Company’s Property
As an otherwise ideal employee, if you become the cause of great financial losses for the company, you are bound to get kicked out. If an individual destroys a company’s machinery, computers, or office space, which results in significant monetary and operational repercussions, they will face employee dismissal.
Similarly, if you show evidence of company property misuse, like substantial use of company computers during work hours for personal reasons, means that you will be accompanied off the company grounds and dismissed. Even a little use of company computers but for illegal content or morally dubious purposes is grounds for employee replacement.
Employee Dismissal – Signs to Detect
When an employer decides to find your replacement, they are unable to hide their decision in actions, and sooner or later, you will see most of these signs. If you come across them, it means you are standing on thin ice. These signs can vary from you being ignored by your employer, being uninvited to meetings, getting more than one negative performance review, being asked to take time off or receive a, to a visible lack in the projects you are assigned, limited data access, lack of feedback, and more.
Take away
The first thing you need to remember to avoid employee dismissal is that even though there is nothing to keep your employer from looking for an employee replacement for you, you can make sure that that’s as far as they go. As long as the employer isn’t discriminatory, they have a pretty free hand, as there are very few employee replacement laws and restrictions. But if you are giving your best and avoid the issues described in this guide, you won’t have anything to worry about.
Tip: If for some other out-of-your-hands reasons you have learned that you are being replaced, as a wise employee, you could adopt a two-track strategy: start looking for alternative employment while laying a careful paper trail to ensure that you receive some money for the troubles you go through in the employee replacement process.
