Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

Which term describes an employee's termination for just cause?

1. Constructive dismissal

2. Termination with notice

3. Summary dismissal

4. Wrongful dismissal

The correct answer is: Summary dismissal

The term that describes an employee's termination for just cause is "summary dismissal." This type of termination occurs when an employer ends the employment relationship due to serious misconduct on the part of the employee that justifies immediate dismissal without the need for advance notice or severance pay. Examples of just cause might include theft, violence in the workplace, or gross negligence. Summary dismissal is typically reserved for situations where the employee's actions are so severe that they undermine the trust or contractual relationship between the employer and the employee. This concept distinctly differs from constructive dismissal, which refers to a situation where an employee resigns due to an employer's behavior that effectively forces them out, or termination with notice, where an employee is terminated after a specified notification period. Additionally, wrongful dismissal deals with terminations that breach an employment contract or violate statutory protections, typically involving the absence of just cause or failure to provide appropriate notice or compensation. Understanding these distinctions is critical in human resource practices, as they inform the proper handling of employee terminations in compliance with legal standards and organizational policies.