Can we fire employee who doesn't meet new goals?

We fired a lady over 40 from a job she held for five years. Her past supervisors rated her above average. We brought her in and explained she did not have the experience to lead the department to the next level. We did not put her into a training program or prepare a schedule. We told her she would be fired if she did not change. We felt she just wasn't the right person. She filed a grievance, and the grievance board said we did not break any company policies, but they were concerned about the way she was treated. But she did not reach new goals! Are we in trouble?

Rita Risser's Response:

The employer has the right to change standards, goals and assignments for employees. The employer has the right to "raise the bar" continuously. But when a long-term employee who has been rated above average is given new goals, the employer must help her reach those goals. That would include mentoring, sending her to training, giving her books to read, assigning her a buddy who can coach her, managing more closely than usual, etc. Instead you decided she "wasn't the right person." This just doesn't sound fair.

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