Discipline, Documentation & Termination FAQs

Write-ups, performance plans, termination decisions, and the documentation standards that decide whether a separation holds up under scrutiny.

Last updated: July 03, 2026 • 41 answers in this category

• Are employee discipline records public records for Texas local governments?
• Can a city council discuss employee discipline in executive session?
• Can a city employee be disciplined for political comments on social media?
• Can a mayor or councilmember order discipline of a city employee?
• Can a nonprofit board member discipline staff directly?
• Can a nonprofit discipline employees for conduct inconsistent with mission values?
• Can a Texas employer discipline an employee for a TikTok or video about work?
• Can a Texas employer discipline an employee for being impaired at work?
• Can a Texas employer discipline an employee for off-duty conduct?
• Can a Texas employer discipline an employee for off-duty social media conduct?
• Can a Texas employer discipline an employee for sharing customer information online?
• Can a Texas employer discipline or terminate a disgruntled employee?
• Can a Texas employer fire an employee for off-duty marijuana use?
• Can a Texas employer fire an employee for posting about pay online?
• Can a Texas employer fire an employee for posting negative comments about work online?
• Can a Texas employer fire an employee for threatening legal action?
• Can a Texas employer terminate an at-will employee without prior warnings?
• How can HR SOPs reduce inconsistent discipline and onboarding mistakes?
• How long can an employer wait to discipline an employee in Texas?
• How long should a PIP last for a Texas employee?
• How should a Texas employer discipline an employee fairly and consistently?
• How should a Texas employer terminate an employee for poor performance?
• How should a Texas manager talk to an employee about poor performance?
• How should Texas managers document repeated performance or behavior issues?
• How should Texas public employers manage discipline when records may be requested?
• Should a Texas employer continue discipline after an employee threatens to sue?
• What documentation is needed before placing an employee on a performance improvement plan?
• What documentation should Texas employers keep when stress affects attendance or performance?
• What HR problems happen when workers compensation and discipline overlap?
• What HR risks arise when a nonprofit has never documented performance issues?
• What makes public-sector discipline different from private-sector discipline?
• What should a local government do when a councilmember wants an employee fired?
• What should a nonprofit executive director do when the board demands an employee be fired?
• What should a Texas employer do if prescription medication affects an employee job performance?
• What should a Texas employer include in an employee write-up?
• What should HR do when a department head refuses to document discipline?
• What should Texas employers avoid saying in a performance review?
• When is termination for poor performance less risky for a Texas employer?
• When should a Texas employer coach, discipline, or remove a manager from supervision?
• When should discipline move to a final warning or termination review?
• When should HR review a Texas employee termination before the meeting?

Curated and reviewed by Dr. Thomas W. Faulkner, DBA, MBA, MSML, SPHR, LSSBB, principal consultant at Faulkner HR Solutions.