You’ve heard it all the time – DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. But what if that documentation hurts you in court? Keep in mind that plaintiffs’ attorneys will go over your documentation with a fine-tooth comb to find ways that your documentation helps their case rather than your case. In this webinar, you will learn how to word your documentation so that it will stand up in court. We will also discuss why documentation is important to convince a jury that you made the right decision.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. Labor and employment attorneys will state this over and over (and, frankly, in all capital letters). But what if that documentation hurts you in court rather than helps you? Good documentation will help you win in court. Bad documentation will ensure that you lose in court. What about no documentation at all? You should keep in mind that documentation has a dual purpose – to coach your employee and to support your case that termination was your only option when you have exhausted all other possible options.
AREA COVERED
- Does the employment-at-will doctrine help you when it comes to documentation?
- Myths that employees and jurors believe.
- Performance and disciplinary documentation pitfalls.
- Characteristics of good documentation.
- Worst mistakes in documentation.
- Using email to document.
- Requirements for keeping documentation for recordkeeping purposes.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn how to write disciplinary actions that will help you in court.
- Learn why it is important to distinguish between performance and misconduct.
- Learn the ABCs of documentation.
- Learn the goals of every disciplinary procedure.
- Learn document termination decisions.
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
- Human resource professionals.
- Supervisors.
- Human resource generalists.
- In-house counsel.
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. Labor and employment attorneys will state this over and over (and, frankly, in all capital letters). But what if that documentation hurts you in court rather than helps you? Good documentation will help you win in court. Bad documentation will ensure that you lose in court. What about no documentation at all? You should keep in mind that documentation has a dual purpose – to coach your employee and to support your case that termination was your only option when you have exhausted all other possible options.
- Does the employment-at-will doctrine help you when it comes to documentation?
- Myths that employees and jurors believe.
- Performance and disciplinary documentation pitfalls.
- Characteristics of good documentation.
- Worst mistakes in documentation.
- Using email to document.
- Requirements for keeping documentation for recordkeeping purposes.
- Learn how to write disciplinary actions that will help you in court.
- Learn why it is important to distinguish between performance and misconduct.
- Learn the ABCs of documentation.
- Learn the goals of every disciplinary procedure.
- Learn document termination decisions.
- Human resource professionals.
- Supervisors.
- Human resource generalists.
- In-house counsel.
Speaker Profile
Susan Fahey Desmond
Susan Fahey Desmond is a partner with McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC which has offices in 33 states across the country. She has been representing management in all areas of labor and employment law for over 35 years. A noted author and speaker, Susan is listed in Best Lawyers in America and has been named by Chambers USA as one of America’s leading business lawyers
Upcoming Webinars
Handbook Overhaul 2026: Compliance, OBBB Act & Beyond
Fostering a Culture of Respect: Eliminating Gossip, Rumour…
Excel Spreadsheets; Develop and Validate for 21 CFR Part 11…
Paying and Receiving Payments for Referrals: You Can Go to …
Tattoos, hijabs, piercings, and pink hair: The challenges …
Ten Red Flags that Signal Financial Distress in Business Cu…
Excel + AI: The Smart User's Guide to Faster, Easier Work w…
The Age-Inclusive Workplace: How to Lead and Work Across Ge…
The Importance of the first 5 seconds when presenting
The New W4 - How to Assist Employees with Proper Completion…
Transforming Anger And Conflict Into Collaborative Problem …
4-Hour Virtual Seminar on Management Skills For New Managers
Microsoft Excel PivotTables: Basics of Data Analysis for Bu…
Supervisor Excellence: Skills to Lead High-Performing Teams
Tools for New Managers: Connecting with Employees to Optimi…
Fatal Errors Employers Make When Updating Employee Handbook…
The Manager’s Playbook for Leading After Layoffs: Quickly R…
Conquer Toxic People - Learn To Protect Yourself And Get Yo…
Elevate Your Workplace Wellness: 10 Critical Wellness Facto…
Thriving in a Hybrid Workplace: Keys to Leadership and Team…
Excel - Lists and Tables - A Beginner's Guide to Managing L…
Launch Your Career: The Ultimate Guide for Emerging Profess…
Mastering Performance Management: Strategies for Continuous…
Pivot tables beginner to advanced + 20 advanced Pivot table…
Gossip-Free: Leadership Techniques to Quell Office Chatter
Strategic ways to build your professional brand
Rewiring Your Emotional Triggers: Leading with Clarity and …
AI Fundamentals for All Leaders and Managers: How to Work S…
The $1M Mistake: EEOC Discrimination Claims Employers Make …
ChatGPT Jumpstart From intro to Download to Personal Assist…
Using Claude in Excel for Productivity, Automation & Data A…
2-Hour Virtual Seminar on the 6 Most Common Problems in FDA…
Do's and Don'ts of Documenting Employee Behaviour, Performa…
Why EBITDA Doesn't Spell Cash Flow and What Does?
HIPAA Compliance in 2026 — Practical Strategies for Breach …
FDA Regulation of Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning
How to Write Procedures to Avoid Human Errors
Secrets Of Psychology - Why People Do The Things They Do
AI in B2B Marketing: What Your Compliance Team Needs to Know