We know what you’re thinking: “Document everything? Even Karen’s weird email about lunch?” Yes. Everything.
Documentation is your friend. It protects employees, managers, and the company. It ensures decisions are consistent, fair, and defensible if someone ever questions them. Performance issues, disciplinary actions, accommodations, even odd little incidents keep a record.
But before you start a spreadsheet of every sneeze in the office, remember: keep it factual, brief, and dated. Stick to what happened, who was involved, and why it matters. Leave out opinions, drama, and speculation.
Example: “Employee submitted report late on 2/1/26, impacting client deliverable. Discussed expectations and next steps on 2/2/26.” Done.