Audio Graphics Training Systems releases a new video, Jury Friendly Termination.

LA GRANGE, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 1995--Jury Friendly Termination, the newest training video released today by Audio Graphics Training Systems is designed to help organizations avoid the pain -- and cost -- of illegal terminations.

Last year alone Cigna Corp. and Scott Paper Co. had damage awards levied against them for over $1 million each for failure to follow legal termination procedures. And the number of complaints filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over discharge disputes has risen 33 percent since 1990.

Noting that most juries give the employee the benefit of the doubt where questions are left unanswered, Jury Friendly Termination uses dramatic vignettes to outline a complete, step-by-step legal termination process.

Attorneys Bob Lemert and Alan Rolnick of Constangy, Brooks & Smith of Atlanta acted as legal advisors to the Jury Friendly Termination program. "Written records become the most important evidence the jury has during their deliberation, and companies must have a termination policy that includes tangible evidence with written documentation at every step along the way," Lemert said.

According to Jury Friendly Termination, a preferred termination process should include an immediate preliminary investigation and the creation of tangible evidence including a written record of the facts and the creation of a "Corrective Action File" containing all of the documentation.

The video is helpful to all supervisors and managers either on a stand-alone basis or as part of a more comprehensive training program. Jury Friendly Termination follows the dramatic story of one person's termination using a traditional and then the preferred approach.

Rolnick notes that jurors are more likely to read documents and less likely to remember or credit management's verbal testimony. "Any company which fails to take termination seriously is in danger of paying a very high price in terms of litigation costs in time, energy and money and low employee morale."

"No one wants to fire an employee, but when it becomes necessary, everyone's rights need to be protected. Jury Friendly Termination is an excellent guide for managers so that their actions are legal and fair," Lemert concluded.

Jury Friendly Termination (25 minutes; $525) is available from Audio Graphics Training Systems, LaGrange, Ga., by calling 1-800-814-9792. -0-

Complimentary preview copies of the video are available by calling Matt French at Audio Graphics at 1-800-814-9792. Lemert and Rolnick may be interviewed by calling 404-525-8622.

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Christine Sullivan

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