How to Document Employee Behavior: Protect Yourself and Lead with Confidence for Managers

Date: Mar 10, 2026
Time: 01:00 PM ET
Duration: 90 Minutes
Speaker: Suzanne Lucas
CEU Credits : 1.5 HRCI

$0.00

Description

If you think you’ll remember that incident, you’re probably wrong.

If you manage people, you’ve probably been told: “You’d better document that.” But what does that actually mean? How detailed should you be? When do you start? And how do you make sure your notes actually help you instead of creating more problems?

Too often, managers don’t document at all—or do it in ways that backfire. That lack of clarity makes tough conversations harder, slows down decisions, and leaves you vulnerable when employees push back.

If you’ve ever:

  • Wondered what counts as “serious enough” to write down
  • Been unsure what should (or shouldn’t) go in an employee’s record
  • Hesitated to put things in writing for fear it could be used against you
  • Struggled to remember details during a tough conversation with HR or legal
  • Wished you knew how to use a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) as a real management tool, not just a form

…you’re not alone. And you can’t afford to keep guessing.

Here’s the truth: Documentation isn’t about paperwork. It’s about leadership. The right notes protect you when things go wrong, keep your team aligned, and show your employees you mean what you say.

This webinar will give you the confidence and tools to document employee behavior in ways that are clear, fair, and defensible.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Understand what documentation really is—and why it protects you
  • Spot when to start documenting and what matters most
  • Capture both positive and negative behavior in useful ways
  • Write notes that help you have better coaching conversations
  • Use PIPs to set expectations and get performance back on track
  • Handle emails, texts, and other electronic records the smart way
  • Know how long to keep your notes and when to clean things out

 

Don’t wait until you’re in a dispute or under pressure to figure this out. Document clearly. Lead with confidence. Protect yourself and your team.

Reserve your spot now to learn how documentation can make you a stronger, more effective manager.

 

Who Should Attend

This webinar is designed for anyone directly managing people:

  • Managers and supervisors — If you’re handling day-to-day performance and behavior issues
  • Team leads — If you’re guiding newer employees and need to keep track of progress
  • Department heads — If you want consistent documentation across your team
  • Business owners — If you don’t have a dedicated HR partner and need to protect yourself

 

If you’re responsible for leading employees and want to avoid costly mistakes, this session is for you.

Speaker

Suzanne Lucas

Suzanne Lucas spent 10 years in corporate HR, where she hired, fired, managed the numbers, and double-checked with the lawyers. She left the corporate world to advise people and companies on how to have the best Human Resources departments possible.

Suzanne integrates best practices with innovative ideas and humor, including using improv comedy as a tool for leadership development.

Suzanne’s writings have been published at CBS News, Inc. Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and many other sites. She’s been named a top influencer in HR. You can read her archives at EvilHRLady.org or check out her Tedx Talk: Forget Talent and Get to Work.

Certification

 

This webinar has been approved for 1.5 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®,SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

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