
Guidelines & Templates for Performance Management Documentation 
 
The goal of progressive discipline is to improve performance and/or behavior.  However, 
when the employee does not demonstrate the improvement needed, termination of 
employment must follow.  Termination for inability is applicable when an employee 
makes a genuine effort to improve but is unable to perform at a satisfactory level.  In 
contrast, termination for cause is due to an employee’s willful lack of effort or refusal to 
correctly or adequately perform the duties of the position.  Policies related to 
performance management can be found at http://policies.emory.edu/  under Employee 
Relations. 
 
Elements of a Termination Letter 
 
1. Inform the employee s/he is being terminated, effective when and why. 
2. Specify when s/he received warning(s) for that/those failure(s)/violation(s). 
3.  Provide contacts information. 
 
Sample: Termination Letter (for cause or performance) 
 
<<Department Header>> 
<<Date>> 
<<Employee name>>  
<< home or office address>> 
 
<< Dear (first name)>>, 
 
(Use the examples that apply) 
 
• Attendance: Your employment with Emory University is terminated effective 
<<date>>, due to your repeated tardiness and absences. This was discussed with you 
repeatedly over the last <<## weeks/months>> and most recently you received a written 
warning on <<date>>.  In that warning I again reminded you of our policies and 
departmental procedures regarding attendance. 
 
• Performance: Your employment with Emory University is terminated effective 
<<date>>, due to repeated failure to perform the duties of your position. When you were 
hired into your current position, you were provided the Job Description. During your 
orientation, the duties you would be expected to perform were explained to you.  Since 
then you have been provided periodic training as well as additional instruction at your 
request. However, there have been continued deficiencies in your performance and 
failure to follow directives. This was discussed with you numerous times and has not 
resulted in improvement on your part.  
 
• Communication/Behavior: Your employment with Emory University is terminated 
effective <<date>>, due to your inappropriate behavior and communication.  As was