Hospitality Human Resources Management Ch. 13

wrongful discharge

a charge brought against an employer for terminating employees without due process or without substantial efforts to first call an employees attention to improper work habits and to help the employee change; terminating an employee's employment without sufficient reason

progressive discipline

a discipline process in which employees are given increasingly stiffer penalties for infractions; usually progresses from an oral warning, to a written warning, to a suspension, and finally to discharge.

discharge theory

a meeting between an employee and employer in which the purpose is to terminate the employees employment

exit interview

a meeting conducted between an employer and an employee leaving the organization that attempts to identify specific training needs or other work-related problems

attitude survey

a needs assessment method designed to determine when behavior training is required; also a questionnaire or other information gathering tool designed to determine how employees feel about work issues

hierarchical appeals process

a process that employees who feel they have been treated unfairly can use to take their concerns to succeeding levels of the chain of command

open-door appeals process

a process used by employees who feel they have been treated unfairly, in which they are free to take their concerns to any manager

peer review appeals process

a process used by employees who feel they have been treated unfairly, in which they take their concerns to boards made up of other employees and managers.

retention program

a program designed to reduce turnover

preventative discipline

a type of discipline emphasizing recognition of good behavior instead of bad behavior

implied employment contract

an agreement that is implied from information in employee and training manuals and other documents suggesting that employees have the right to work for their employer as long as they do a good job

hot stove approach

an approach to discipline based on immediate punishment for each offense

employment at will

an employment policy stipulating that employers can discharge employees at any time for any reason

turnover costs

tangible or intangible costs incurred by a hospitality operation to replace an employee

whistle blowing

the act of informing authorities of illegal or unethical actions taken by one's employer

turnover

the rate at which employees leave a company or work unit

separation costs

turnover costs associated with exit interviews, separation pay, closure of employee benefits files, and unemployment taxes.

training costs

turnover costs associated with preparing new employees to be productive

replacement costs

turnover costs associated with replacing lost employees, which include recruiting, advertising, uniforms, manuals, interviewing, and other related costs.