FT.com - In executive compensation at least, where America leads, the UK follows. That's why it should come as no surprise that the total earnings of chief executives at British blue-chip companies have doubled over the past five years. For Americans, the surprise may be that average annual compensation for chief executives of FTSE 100 companies is so low: a mere £3.17m, according to the latest report from Incomes Data Services, a UK research group. Compare the $48m earned last year by Stan O'Neal of Merrill Lynch.

European stocks sag as dealers bank profits (AFP)

AFP - Europe's main stock markets fell Tuesday on profit-taking amid caution on the eve of an interest-rate call by the US Federal Reserve, dealers said.

Once you have this proof, you can dismiss the jobholder. A Sample Memorandum of Separation for a jobholder. For example, the dismissed worker may return the business's property she has at home. As you know from our previous discussion on (list dates here), your lack of attendance on the dates of (state all dates the worker failed to show up to work) caused numerous problems (list these). Besides lowering your legal risk, the laid off worker's viewpoint will be the most honest you'll hear.

By closely following the memorandum, you'll know exactly what to say. It is best to use temporary help until it is possible to speak with the jobholder about their future with the firm. For example, while I was working at one company, a supplier called us within the first hour of the firing asking about its ramifications. If you can't get rid of the difficult individual and he won't change, then you, as the manager, must change. For example, we can't say "resign or be sacked." When we give ultimatums like this or make life unbearable for the high-risk worker, the employee can still sue us for unlawful termination when he resigns. As a small business owner or personnel workers, you should find your threshold then decide a course of action for what some believe to be the "hardest" part of the job - dismissing the unwanted employee. Every firm should have set ground rules and guidelines, and every employee should have a hard copy which discusses offenses that may result in immediate suspension or termination. 2) The employee meets with his attorney-at-law. In other words, have I ever counseled the employee, given a warning letter, provided enough training? For high risk separations (where the employee will sue and you'll lose), you never "officially" sack the jobholder, so you don't need a notification. 5) Go through the termination notice with emphasis on items in the severance package.