---
title: "How To Avoid Unlawful Termination Lawsuits"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/d842b2a5-6d12-4a7b-bfce-7953ed531ea4
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/how-to-avoid-unlawful-termination-lawsuits-2713487
category: "Franchisors"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
segment: "Franchisors"
published: 2020-07-14T19:14:55.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:03:11.718Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/680d449d48d1d158a49866a60104b3c1723.jpg
---

# How To Avoid Unlawful Termination Lawsuits

**TL;DR:** Franchise expert discusses the SAFE method to avoid unlawful termination lawsuits. The SAFE method involves constant communication, accountability, fairness, and engagement to decrease misunderstandings and increase staff retention.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-07-14. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/how-to-avoid-unlawful-termination-lawsuits-2713487).*

## Story

The thing is, when your culture is well defined and your hiring processes are dialed in, it's less likely that you'll make the wrong hiring decisions. You’ll be able to find employees that will fit into your workplace environment.

However, if you do end up hiring someone who isn’t a good fit, there are things you can do to help with staff retention and to avoid being accused of unlawful termination.

The trick is to use the SAFE method. SAFE means having a constant stream of communication, holding people accountable, being fair and consistent, and focusing on engagement. If you do these things, any employee who’s unhappy with their role will probably leave on their own.

When you have good communication, your employees know what is expected of them at all times. This means that you can confidently maintain those expectations on a consistent basis.

By cultivating a workplace where employees are engaged regularly, there won’t be room for confusion. Your employees will know exactly what their role entails and thus they’ll realize whether or not they fit the job requirements.

By using SAFE, you can decrease misunderstandings that could lead to unlawful termination lawsuits. Moreover, with constant communication and engagement, expectations will be clear, thereby increasing staff retention.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Franchise Industry (sector)
- franchise management (topic)
- staff retention (topic)
- unlawful termination (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/how-to-avoid-unlawful-termination-lawsuits-2713487). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/d842b2a5-6d12-4a7b-bfce-7953ed531ea4).