How to write a termination of employment letter

Anything less than that, even serious misconduct, and you’ll almost certainly have to give notice (or pay in lieu of notice).

It’s important to have clear documentation stating your reasons for termination in case the employee attempts to fight against their dismissal in a tribunal.

Termination of employment letter templates are usually customisable to your requirements, so you can make sure you have the correct documentation in place in the event that you need to end a contract without notice.

What constitutes gross misconduct?

Gross misconduct is rare, but you should be prepared for it amongst your employees. Acts that constitute gross misconduct might include theft, gross negligence, or physical violence.

In the event of gross misconduct, you may be able to terminate a contract of employment without notice. However, it is important that you still follow a fair procedure for doing so.

You should make sure that the misconduct is investigated thoroughly and fairly, and the employee in question must be given the opportunity to respond to allegations before the act of dismissal.

What is the difference between serious and gross misconduct?

Serious misconduct or underperformance includes acts that are likely to cause damage to the business, or indeed those that have already caused damage.

In these cases, as opposed to those of gross misconduct, you may decide to move straight to a ‘first and final’ warning. If you are unsure whether the misconduct in question is serious or gross, you should seek independent legal advice – however, ultimately the decision is the nominated decision maker’s, and no one else can make the decision, not even the HR adviser.

What if it’s the first instance of misconduct?

If this is the first time an employee has acted in a way that is unacceptable, and prior to the incident they have a good disciplinary record, you are likely to be able to resolve the situation without dismissal – and, indeed, you should always try to do so in the first instance. Here, an informal discussion may be all that is needed. If you’re in any doubt, you should seek legal advice.

Do you have any unanswered quesitons about creating a termination of employment letter for your business? Let us know in the comments below.

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