Great Q. You need documentation showing:
- You had a clear rule
- You communicated the rule to the employee and he knew about it
- The employee violated the rule
- Other employees have been fired for the same violation–or other documentation showing that you consistently enforced the rule and weren’t just singling out this guy
- Other prior progressive disciplinary actions, if any, taken against the employee for previous violations, e.g., warning letters, suspension notices, etc.
Hope that helps and sorry I took so long to reply. Glenn