This document outlines best practices for employee discipline, termination, and documentation. It discusses the at-will employment doctrine and exceptions under federal and state law. Effective communication and documentation are presented as two pillars for performance management and risk mitigation. The document provides examples of poor documentation that could lead to legal issues and recommends documenting a lifecycle for employees that includes regular feedback, reviews, warnings, and clearly explaining reasons for termination. Maintaining proper records helps employers justify employment decisions and defend against potential legal claims.