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The Global Insight

How do you deal with a disgruntled ex employee?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Updated on April 07, 2026

Be brief, straightforward, composed and respectful during the termination process. If possible, position a security guard or law enforcement officer nearby. Do not take a break during the termination meeting, as some disgruntled employees request time to privately compose themselves so they can retrieve weapons.

What do you do if a former employee slanders you?

If you think your former employer may have committed defamation, you should talk to an employment lawyer to find out whether your case is worth pursuing. These claims can be tough to win.

Can an employer sue an ex employee for defamation?

The short answer is yes, but the real question at the end of the day is should an employer sue a former employee for defamation. Employers who are able to establish that defamation from a former employee has caused them harm may able to obtain compensation for the resulting damages.

How do you handle an employee poaching?

Offer the following perks to your workforce, and employees may be less likely to leave for your competitors.

  1. Provide Responsibility.
  2. Create a Clear Career Path.
  3. Pay for Performance.
  4. Institute “Stay” Bonuses.
  5. Provide Flex Hours.
  6. Focus on Work-Life Balance.
  7. Stand for Something.

How do you discipline a disgruntled employee?

The 5 Steps To Managing A Disgruntled Employee

  1. Remain professional. Regardless of how the disgruntled employee behaves, it is important for you to always remain professional when handling the situation.
  2. Don’t let it fester.
  3. Keep it private.
  4. Document everything.
  5. Don’t empower them.

Is poaching employees unethical?

It’s usually considered unethical to poach employees from companies you have a business relationship with. This includes clients, vendors and partners. When you have a business relationship with people in an organization, they will often introduce you to others in the organization that you may not have otherwise met.

Can you get fired for working for a competitor?

Your employer can’t fire you because of your race or in retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions, for example. Some states have laws that prohibit employers from taking action against employees based on their legal off-duty conduct. The language and protections offered by these laws vary from state to state.

What to do when an ex employee is upset?

When an ex-employee is upset and making it known, it’s hard to know what to do without making it worse. Luckily, we have a few guidelines to follow when dealing with an unhappy former employee. With the rise of social media, upset ex-employees can slander your company or business online.

What to do when an ex employee slanders your business?

With the rise of social media, upset ex-employees can slander your company or business online. Apart from the usual social media platforms, sites such as Glassdoor or Yelp provide an open outlet for people who are upset to detail their version of events with an audience.

What to do when an ex employee harasses your business?

Claiming defamation against a former employee who is spreading negative information about your company oftentimes brings more attention to the issue and makes you seem like you have something to hide. A former employee posting harsh words online will eventually run its course.

How to deal with a disgruntled employee at American Express?

The first step is to remain professional. “Regardless of how the disgruntled employee behaves, it is important for you to always remain professional when handling the situation,” reports American Express. “Avoid yelling, swearing and stooping to their level.