How would you handle an employee who breaks company policy?
Jackson Reed
Updated on January 05, 2026
You should take disciplinary action against an employee who violates company policies right away. Both you and your employee should sign and date that document. Having this will be invaluable if any conflict arises on down the line. At the end of the meeting, you should tell your employee what their punishment is.
Can you sue a company for breaking policy?
Unfortunately, with only extremely rare exceptions, it is not illegal for an employer to violate their own handbook policies. In other words, there is no lawsuit that can be filed against an employer for terminating an employee in violation of the company’s own handbook.
What happens if a company doesn’t follow policy?
Doing nothing to secure and actively manage your policies leaves your organization exposed to liability. Policy negligence leaves you at risk for financial losses, security breaches, and a ruined reputation.
Is company policy legally binding?
While a company’s policies themselves are not legally binding contracts, the policies must nevertheless be followed as a practical matter. Policies and procedures are necessary for employers to deal with the difficult but essential area of workforce management.
What is company policy violation?
Under the Employment at Will Doctrine, employers may fire employees for just about any reason, including company policy violation. As a result, an employee breach of the implied contract in the form of policy violation, might constitute good cause for the employer to fire the employee. …
Can a company change a policy without notice?
An organization should always include a statement that it reserves the right to change the policy at any time, with or without notice (subject to applicable law), that such policy (or employee handbook) is not a contract of any kind, and that it does not affect the at-will status (if applicable) of the employment …
What to do when an employee breaks a company rule?
When an employee breaks a company rule, your actions should depend on the severity of the infraction and the particular situation. 1. Proceed with the normal disciplinary process This step is appropriate when the rule is minor and performance-based, such as violating attendance, dress code or work duty rules.
Why was I terminated for breaking company policy?
The official reason for termination is accessing files not “necessary” for my job. I’m trying to find a way to point out what I did was done in good faith and not due to unprofessionalism. Also, I’ve been job hunting for nearly a month now and suffer from depression and anxiety, which makes the search harder.
What should you do if an employee is fired for violating company rules?
If you don’t want the employee to return to the premises, send a courier to his home to retrieve the items. Someone should escort the terminated employee out of the building and watch until the employee is off the property.
Can a company fail to follow a policy?
The reality is, when it comes to most business decisions, an employer has a lot of discretion in how they operate, as well as how they deal with their employees. There are, however, some situations where failure to follow a particular policy can provide evidence of employment discrimination. The Purpose of Company Policies