On what grounds can an employee be dismissed?

Asked by: Carissa Witting  |  Last update: June 22, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)

The “causes” that are grounds for dismissal run the gamut including: illegal activity such as stealing or revealing trade secrets, dishonesty, breaking company rules, harassing or disrupting other workers, insubordination, excessive unexcused absences, and poor job performance by some objective measure.

What is a valid reason for dismissal?

Performance. An employee may be dismissed from their job for poor performance. Generally, poor performance is when an employee has not been performing their role to a satisfactory standard. If you have been under-performing in your role, this may be a valid reason for dismissal.

What are the grounds for the possible termination of an employee?

Just causes of termination refer to serious misconduct, willful disobedience or insubordination, gross and habitual neglect of duties, fraud or wilful breach of trust, loss of confidence, commission of a crime or offense, and analogous causes.

What are the top two reasons for termination?

Obviously, there are some very common reasons for termination of employment, including the top ten reasons listed below.
  • Poor Work Performance. ...
  • Misconduct. ...
  • Chronic Lateness/ Absence. ...
  • Company Policy Violations. ...
  • Drug or Alcohol Use at Work. ...
  • Personal Use of Company Property. ...
  • Theft or Property Damage. ...
  • Falsifying Company Records.

What are the 5 fair reasons for dismissal?

A run-down of the most common reasons to dismiss an employee.
  1. Failure to do the job. Perhaps the most obvious (and arguably fairest) reason would be an employee's failure to do their job properly. ...
  2. Misconduct. Another common reason for dismissal is misconduct. ...
  3. Long term sick. ...
  4. Redundancy.

On what grounds can an employee be dismissed?

42 related questions found

What is grounds for immediate termination?

The most likely grounds for immediate termination involve serious misconduct issues, such as: Grossly inappropriate work performance. This might include inappropriate use of company resources, violating rules regarding email and telephone use and chronic attendance issues. Endangering the company or other employees.

What are the four types of termination?

Involuntary termination. Voluntary termination. Wrongful termination. End of a work contract or temporary employment.

How do you legally dismiss an employee?

Steps to follow when dismissing an employee
  1. Follow your disciplinary procedure. ...
  2. Take notes and gather evidence. ...
  3. Ensure you have a fair and valid reason for the dismissal. ...
  4. Take care not to discriminate. ...
  5. Invite the employee to a disciplinary meeting. ...
  6. Adjourn the meeting. ...
  7. Reconvene to communicate the outcome.

Can an employer terminate an employee without reason?

Many employment contracts, employment term summaries and employee policy manuals state that the employer can terminate an employee's employment 'without cause' by giving a specified period of notice.

What are the three grounds for dismissal?

The 3 grounds for fair dismissal
  • the conduct of the employee;
  • the capacity of the employee; and.
  • the operational requirements of the employer's business.

Can you get dismissed without a warning?

An employer can dismiss an employee without giving notice if it's because of gross misconduct (when an employee has done something that's very serious or has very serious effects). The employer must have followed a fair procedure.

What are grounds for unfair dismissal?

In its simplest form, unfair dismissal is when your employment contract is terminated and your employer did not have fair reason to do so. It can also be claimed if your employer did have fair reason but handled your dismissal using the wrong procedure. You are protected by law against both these eventualities.

What are examples of serious misconduct?

Some examples of serious misconduct are theft; fraud; assault; discriminatory conduct; harassment; being intoxicated at work; refusing to carry out lawful and reasonable instruction that is consistent with the employee's contract of employment; failure to observe safety and specified work practices to just name a few.

What are the 2 notice requirements for termination of employees?

"The twin requirements of notice and hearing constitute essential elements of due process in cases of employee dismissal: the requirement of notice is intended to inform the employee concerned of the employer's intent to dismiss and the reason for the proposed dismissal; upon the other hand, the requirement of hearing ...

Is it better to be terminated or resign?

Another benefit to resigning is you won't have to explain to future employers why you were terminated. Resigning from a job allows you to frame your departure in a positive manner. However, there are benefits to being terminated, as well. You are not eligible for unemployment benefits unless you are fired from a job.

Can HR terminate employees?

Illegal Dismissals

An employer is in complete charge of hiring and firing people in his/her organization. However, an employer cannot fire an employee without sufficient cause or reason.

How do I terminate an employee immediately?

Take it step by step.
  1. Get right to the point. Skip the small talk. ...
  2. Break the bad news. State the reason for the termination in one or two short sentences and then tell the person directly that he or she has been terminated. ...
  3. Listen to what the employee has to say. ...
  4. Cover everything essential. ...
  5. Wrap it up graciously.

What are good reasons to fire an employee?

#1 Termination by the employer
  • serious misconduct or willful disobedience.
  • gross and habitual neglect of duty.
  • fraud or deliberate breach of trust.
  • commission of a crime or offense.
  • other similar reasons.

What is unprofessional conduct?

Unprofessional conduct means one or more acts of misconduct; one or more acts of immorality, moral turpitude or inappropriate behavior involving a minor; or commission of a crime involving a minor.

What are 4 examples of misconduct?

Here are 7 examples of lesser-known workplace misconduct
  • Theft. Ok this does sound obvious, but stealing isn't just about embezzlement or money laundering. ...
  • Sexual harassment. ...
  • Abuse of power. ...
  • Falsifying documentation. ...
  • Health and safety breaches. ...
  • Goods or property damage. ...
  • Drug and/or alcohol use.

What are Sackable Offences?

Examples of sackable offences

Aggressive or intimidating behaviour at work. Dangerous horseplay in the workplace. Indecent or abusive behaviour in the workplace. Discrimination or harassment of another employee. Serious insubordination in the workplace.

Who qualifies for unfair dismissal?

What is the qualifying period of employment necessary to make a claim for unfair dismissal? You will need to have been continuously employed with the same employer for at least 23 months and 3 weeks without a break. Moreover, you must not have been served with a notice of your employment expiring before the 2 years.

What are examples of constructive dismissal?

Constructive dismissal examples
  • Reducing an employee's pay or not paying them at all.
  • Taking away other contractual benefits, such as a company car.
  • Demoting an employee without fair warning.
  • Making unreasonable changes to an employees' working hours or place of work.

What steps can an employee take if unfairly dismissed?

If a dismissal is determined to be unfair, the employee may be reinstated, re-employed, or receive financial compensation. The dismissed employee is likely to receive compensation if: The employee does not wish to be reinstated.

What are the circumstances under which an employee may or may not be dismissed where there is a closed shop agreement in the workplace?

The employees at the time a closed shop agreement takes effect, may also not be dismissed for refusing to join a trade union party to the agreement; and employees may not be dismissed for refusing to join a trade union party to the agreement on the grounds of conscientious objection.