AP - The euro-zone economy shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter, EU statistics showed Thursday, raising recession fears as Germany, France and Italy braked sharply with high fuel and food prices holding back consumer spending.

You should create your documentation in real time. Undoubtedly, these incidents should occur reasonably close together to warrant layoff. The worker lay off notice should succinctly identify the problems with the current worker, if the action has resulted from gross misconduct. Plus, you will protect yourself and the small business against any lawsuits the fired worker may bring on you. Once the employee completes his testimony, you or your witnesses can testify again if you want to refute any testimony he has made. o Have you thoroughly detailed the employee's performance problems and minor misbehavior? Managers and business owners give employees under contract notice according to the terms of their written agreement. This employee can suck the life out of the department and cost the company much more than she ever gave. While sacking a jobholder is always difficult, it is a necessary part of any manager's job.

To reduce worker anger, never do an "on-the-spot" lay off. When using an employee discipline form you not only tell the disgruntled employee that their behavior is unacceptable, but you also have a written documentation of the issues. The longer a problem employee makes problems, the worse the workplace becomes. Remember if this goes to court as an unfair lay off case, some people may interpret strong language as substantiation of a personal vendetta, or a simple personality clash between you. The statute of limitations for most wrongful dismissal actions is no more than 3 years. The ex-employee will be as mad as a hornet for not getting a reason for her termination.