Module 7

When employment ends: resignation, dismissal, redundancy and leaving well

Every employment ends, and how it ends tells the rest of the team what the firm is. A resignation received with grace, a handover done properly and a reference given honestly build a reputation that helps with recruiting and referrals for years. A dismissal carried out unfairly, or a redundancy handled with silence and surprise, can cost a firm money, reputation and the trust of those who remain, and can lead to a claim. This module sets out the principles: how to receive a resignation and manage the handover, the principles of a fair dismissal, how redundancy should be approached, the particular duties in a legal practice about client files and confidentiality, what to record, what to say in a reference and what to learn. Law on termination is among the most detailed and varies most between countries, so treat the principles as a map and take advice before acting.

General education on managing people in a legal practice, using invented people and organisations. It is not legal, employment or HR advice. Employment, discrimination, pay, working-time, dismissal and redundancy law differ between countries and change: take advice before any step that ends or changes employment.