How Do I Properly Terminate an Employee for Theft? Seeking Letter Format and Guidance

I want to terminate one of our employees because he has committed theft on our property. I would like to request a letter format and guidance on the process for the same.

Thank you,

Kamlesh Patel HR

First of all, I would like to inform you that you cannot terminate the services of an employee just by saying that he/she has committed theft. First, you have to prove that. You can suspend such an employee until the charges are proven. During the suspension period, you have to pay suspension allowance to the employee. Meanwhile, you have to conduct a domestic inquiry against the employee, which will be headed by an external investigator. The inquiry will be attended by both parties, and only after receiving the results from the inquiry can a decision be made.

Kindly go through this discussion, https://www.citehr.com/197355-employ...y-officer.html.

Hope this will help you.

I do not know how big or how small your organization is, and whether it has well-documented service conditions, service rules, or standing orders specifically dealing with disciplinary issues. Notwithstanding that, it is not safe to terminate an employee summarily by a stroke of a pen for theft, as such terminations are termed punitive when an employee raises a dispute. It is advisable to follow the procedure suggested by Mr. B.C. Arya.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labor Law Advisor