Preparing for a Termination Meeting

Review the employee's personnel file. Thoroughly review the employee's work record and the reason for termination. An employer should clearly explain the reason for termination to the employee. Failing to provide an explanation or providing a false explanation may later support an employee's claim that the reason was a pretext for unlawful discrimination or other unlawful treatment.

Identify property to be returned. Identify items in the employee's possession that should be returned, such as keys, access cards, company credit cards, and computer equipment.

Prepare final paycheck. Prepare the employee's final paycheck. In many jurisdictions, the final check must, by law, be delivered at the time of termination. In some jurisdictions, accrued but unused vacation time or paid time off (PTO) must also be compensated in the final check at termination.