Documentation Isn’t a “Gotcha.”

It’s how leaders create clarity, consistency, and fairness — long before things ever reach termination.

A line I hear all the time is:
“HR is only there to protect the company.”

I understand why people think that - not everyone has had positive experiences.

But here’s the truth:

Good HR stays neutral and ensures the company operates ethically in how it treats people. Yes, HR minimizes risk…but risk reduction includes fairness, clarity, and consistency.

That’s why documentation matters.

Documentation isn’t a trap.
It’s not a “gotcha.”
It’s making sure:
• expectations are clear
• feedback is given in real time
• employees understand what success looks like
• and consequences aren’t a surprise

So often, leaders want to move straight to termination - only for HR to realize the employee was never coached, spoken to directly, or given clear feedback.

And that’s where HR has to step in and say:
We can’t skip fairness.

Because feedback is kind.
Avoiding it isn’t.

If you’re a founder or small business leader navigating messy People Ops moments and want HR support that’s human, practical, and grounded in doing things the right way, I’m always happy to be a resource through KEI Consulting - even if it’s just a quick gut check.