While grounds for immediate termination vary from employer to employer, violations of certain policies can be the reason for immediate termination from most companies.
“Violations of anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policies may justify immediate termination,” following an investigation, said Joseph Harris, an attorney with Barton in New York City. ”
When an employee acts in a way that doesn’t align with the company’s values, workplace policies, mission, or goals, it warrants immediate termination grounds. These actions are considered fireable offenses. While what’s considered a fireable offense can range from company to company, some acts are grounds for termination across the board regardless of the industry, company, or position wherever you go.
When is firing an employee justified? What are the reasons for immediate firing?
The most likely grounds for immediate termination involve serious misconduct issues, such as:
- Grossly inappropriate work performance.
- Endangering the company or other employees.
- Sexual harassment.
In this environment, the employer has to prove that the firing was justifiable for specific behavior and not having antipathy toward a group or class of people. Legally, this is described as firing “for cause.”
You can and should immediately terminate employees whose behavior fits in these categories.
Common reasons for employee termination
There are few employee termination valid reasons or justifiable reasons on basis of which employer can immediate fire an employee. The immediate termination ground or top fireable offences are
Damaging Company Property
Damaging company property is one of the example of a fireable offense. Whether intentional or not, if your actions lead to damage to the company’s property or equipment, it could result in the loss of your job.
Insubordination
One does not have to say “yes” to every requests or always agree with your manager. However, obstructionist behavior, or contentious communications can lead to immediate termination grounds. If you do not agree with the manager’s requests or policies, express it politely or get in touch with the company’s HR department for help.
Drug or Alcohol Possession at Work
Work will suffer and performance will be affected with being intoxicated or taking drugs in the workplace and some drugs may be illegal as well.
Falsifying Company Records
To falsify company records is again example of immediate termination as not only is this unethical, but could result in long term legal problems for the company.
Misconduct
This is a broad spectrum category and lot falls into this category, from sexual harassment to bullying to criminal misbehavior. Unethical conduct, including lying, stealing, fraud, and industrial espionage, also falls within this category.
Poor Performance
Companies want employees who do their work and do it well. Fundamentally, if you are not fulfilling the duties outlined in your job description, you are receiving warnings about your performance, or if your work requires oversight or often needs to be re-done, you are not a good investment for the company.
Theft
Unfortunately, employee theft and misuse of company property is a common occurrence, but one that’s undoubtedly considered a fireable offence. This is especially true depending on the value of the stolen item. Taking a box of pens home might require a different consequence than stealing $10,000 worth of tech goods.
Misuse of company property
Most companies do not mind if you use the office copier for a personal document or send an occasional personal email from your work computer. However, constant use of the Internet or office equipment for personal matters or for working on your side gig is not acceptable.
Taking Too Much Time Off
If you’re always late, frequently take sick days, or use more than your allotment of vacation days, employers will notice. Your absence could interfere with work getting done.
What are the justifiable reasons for immediate firing?
The “causes” that are grounds for immediate firing include 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.