Includes index.

1. Discharge as an at-will employee -- Debunking myths about your employment rights -- 2. Strategies to survive a disciplinary action -- Are you really on a termination track? -- How employee discipline works -- How to survive employee discipline -- Top ten rules to survive discipline -- 3. How to diffuse potentially volatile situations -- Strategies for executives -- Strategies for mid-level managers -- Strategies for first-line, nonunion supervisors -- Strategies for commissioned salespersons -- Strategies for nonunion, hourly workers -- Strategies for probationary employees -- Survival tips -- 4. Using HR to survive abuse at work -- Your need to report harassment -- Using good judgment in reporting harassment -- The trick is to change the subject -- Verifying complaints -- Considerations that affect your reporting decision -- Tips for dealing with human resources -- 5. Strategies to preempt or prevent an anticipated termination -- Strategy 1 : preempt it by proposing that you resign -- Strategy 2 : demonstrate submission -- Strategy 3 : enlist third-party assistance -- Strategy 4 : assume a legal posture -- Strategy 5 : engage in a political war -- 6. Managing an imminent termination -- Ensure your performance is documented -- Begin a narrative of events -- Make a list of witnesses -- Start networking -- Consider consulting with an attorney -- In the meantime, do your job -- Mend fences -- Be mindful of any upcoming dates -- Watch out for traps -- Review your employer's benefit offerings -- Do not create a sense of impending doom -- Do not argue your case to your co-workers -- Do not ask your boss for reassurance -- Do not give up and stop performing -- Do not engage in desperate defensive measure -- Do not go on vacation -- Do not just quit -- Do not make illegal tape recordings -- Do not access information without authority -- Do not give your employer an excuse -- Do's and don'ts in anticipation of a termination -- 7. Handling the termination itself -- The termination meeting -- Posttermination winding up -- The exit interview -- Your final check and benefits -- Posttermination filings to protect your rights -- The effect of termination on your receipt of benefits -- Termination tips -- 8. Immediately after your termination -- Remain calm -- Ask probing questions -- Remove all personal belongings at your earliest opportunity -- Relinquish all keys and ID badges when requested -- Record what was said in the termination meeting -- Request a copy of your personnel file -- Let your family and friends take care of you -- If you need it, seek emotional counseling -- Seek legal advice only from a knowledgeable lawyer -- As soon as you are able, look for other work -- Do not start cutting your own deal -- Do not release your employer without consulting a lawyer -- Do not write a letter of protest to the company -- Do not start writing letters to your congressional delegation -- Do not engage in physical harm -- Do not remove anything that does not belong to you -- Do not refuse to return property belonging to the employer -- Do not immediately file an internal, nonunion grievance -- Do not sign a confession -- Do not try to handle it alone -- Termination tips -- 9. Negotiating a severance agreement -- How to get more severance -- The contents of your severance agreement -- Severance tips list -- 10. All about lawyers -- How to find a lawyer -- Engaging your lawyer -- 11. Unlawful terminations -- Public policy wrongful discharge -- Wrongful constructive discharge -- State statutory solutions -- Discrimination laws -- Opposition and retaliation statutes -- Employment contracts -- 12. Other legal claims -- Intentional infliction of severe emotional distress -- Intentional interference with economic relations -- Invasion of privacy -- Defamation -- Misrepresentation -- 13. Termination of special group members -- Termination of union workers -- Termination of government employees -- 14. Evaluating your termination case -- Evaluating whether you have a case -- Evaluating the problem of your case -- Evaluating your case when the employer covers its tracks -- Factors affecting your case -- Other factors that can help -- 15. Mistakes employers make -- Top ten complaints -- 16. Deciding whether to pursue your case -- Your need for litigation -- Your support from others for litigation -- Your health -- The effect on your marketability -- 17. What to expect during litigation -- Prefiling stage -- Trial stage -- Appeal stage -- 18. Things you can do to help your lawyer win -- Provide requested information in a timely manner -- Stay in communication with your lawyer -- Treat your lawyer as a member of your team -- Be flexible with your schedule -- Follow your lawyer's advice -- Do not shoot the messenger -- Try to control your relatives -- Do not fall in love with your case -- Do not pull any surprises -- Keep the faith -- Ways to help your lawyer win -- 19. Common questions about case settlements -- 20. Special rights and benefits legislation -- Unemployment compensation -- Health insurance legislation, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) -- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) -- Retirement legislation, ERISA -- Notice of plant closure legislation -- Employee leave legislation -- Basic provisions -- FMLA and the ADA -- 21. 12 steps to build your workplace power -- Step one : learn to like the people you work with -- Step two : communicate often with your supervisor -- Step three : never turn down an invitation -- Step four : do not be afraid to socialize with your boss -- Step five : socialize with your co-workers -- Step six : make your co-workers feel good about themselves -- Step seven : do not forget who brought you to the dance -- Step eight : never violate a confidence -- Step nine : never refuse an assignment if you can help it -- Step ten : know your supervisor's expectations -- Step eleven : never speak ill of the company -- Step twelve : if you are unhappy, do not broadcast it at work -- The 12 steps -- Epilogue -- Glossary -- Appendix A. Frequently asked questions -- Appendix B. Payment of wages upon termination -- Appendix C. Effect of misconduct on unemployment benefits -- Appendix D. State discrimination laws and agencies -- Appendix E. EEOC office directory -- Appendix F. Miscellaneous state laws on interest -- Appendix G. Notable wrongful discharge cases.