Documentation Is the Name of the Game

As recently highlighted in a Connecticut federal court decision, proper documentation of HR actions pay off. Retaliation is unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act, whistleblower and civil rights statutes, and many others. Good documentation can be the key to defeating a claim of retaliation. This is particularly true when it's necessary to terminate someone soon after they have engaged in a protected activity, whether complaining about working conditions or accusing a manager of harassment. Good documentation of the basis for and an explanation of the decision can forestall liability.