Q: I was requested to sign a termination document. The document stated that I did not meet the company’s conduct standards. The company says it’s a standard “template”… A: Nothing is standard and each employee has his own reason. I would recommend you to negotiate the reason with the company…

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Signing a document that the employee did not meet the company’s conduct standards

I recently concluded employment after the unsuccessful completion of my probation. It was an amicable departure. Two weeks following my official end date, I was requested to sign a termination document acknowledging the end of probation and its outcome.

It was OK to sign this, however, the document stated that I did not meet the company’s conduct standards. My conduct was impeccable and has never once been questioned during this role or my career (over 12 years), where I have been a model of professionalism.

I feel disparaged but the company says it’s a standard “template”.

Is this legal or can I ask them to remove misleading sentences about my character?

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Ahmed Gabr

Elnaggar & Partners

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5 Sep 2021, 06:22

Dear questioner,

Nothing is standard and each employee has his own reason, in such a case I would recommend you to negotiate the reason with the company or else you can skip it as it will not in any way affect you.

5 Sep 2021, 08:48

Kindly noted Mr. Gabr,

May I seek further clarification on your comment?

I assume you mean that by signing the document without question, this will in no way be harmful to my future career prospects and that it will not/can not be used against me for harmful purposes by the former employer such as to undermine my career.

I also assume that it is a private document that cannot be shared with future employers or prospective employers to discredit me.

FYI I have signed it as the employer is delaying my final salary payment advising me that my salary will take even longer to be paid if I don't sign and accept it.

If there is a limited downside to signing the document and this is part of a standard and legal exit process, this is all fine and I can accept it unquestionably. I am just trying to understand if this is the reality.

Thank you again!

5 Sep 2021, 09:20

Such documents are protected with the NDA between you and your employer and if your employer disclosed such document without your prior written approval, that action shall allow you to claim against your employer before the court of civil matters for breaching such agreement.

5 Sep 2021, 14:15

Thank you for the response Mr. Gabr!

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