Can Your Employer Fire You For “Not Meeting Targets”?

Employees are often dismissed for “not meeting targets”. But unless your employer took certain steps during your employment, this dismissal may be unfair and you may be entitled to compensation.

Some of the steps employers must take before terminating for poor performance:

1. Clear Goals/Targets. Did you know the targets that you were expected to meet? Were these targets communicated to you in writing? Or were they constantly being changed without discussion?

2. Training. Were you properly trained in how to perform your tasks and achieve these targets?

3. Feedback. Were you informed that you were falling short of targets?

4. Coaching. Did you receive coaching and training on how to improve your performance to the required level?

5. Appraisals. Did your employer conduct performance appraisals and highlight the shortcomings in your performance?

6. Warnings and Performance Improvement Plans. Were you given warnings that if your performance did not improve you would be dismissed? Were you put on a performance improvement plan to help improve your performance?

7. Final Warning. Were you given a final warning that if you did not meet the targets by a specific date that you would be terminated?

If your employer failed to take these steps and dismissed you for “failing to meet targets”, then that dismissal may be unfair and you may be entitled to compensation.