Firing an employee is never a fun process. Something obviously went wrong along the way that warranted this drastic decision, and as bad as it is for everyone involved, you’ve got to go through with it. If you’re a manager, then firing under performing employees is a part of your job.

Here is the proper way to fire someone in 2020.

1. Never Catch Them by Surprise

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to an employee that they’re being let go because of poor performance. They know what they’ve been up to, and it’s just a matter of time before the higher ups catch up. Just to be on the safe side, you should drop in hints that their performance just hasn’t been good enough. Some employees aren’t very aware of performance benchmarks and act shocked when they hear the news, so make sure to let them know.

In the days that lead up to them getting fired, you should have held at least three to four employee performance reviews and gone over the key areas that needed work. These reviews don’t have to be formal, something as simple as a pep talk over a smoke break gets the job done.

2. Do It Face to Face

As uncomfortable as it sounds, the best way to fire someone is to let them know face to face. Many employers do this over the phone, email, or even over social media, the last one being completely unprofessional and embarrassing for everyone involved. It’s just common courtesy to give employees this one last favor. You owe a certain level of personal care and intimacy to them.

It’s also a good idea to have a few other personnel with you, preferably someone from HR, who can help with the process and act as a witness.

3. Be Clear Why You Let Them Go

It is important for your employees to know the exact reasons why they’re being let go. There could be a number of reasons for poor performance, such as lack of passion, lack of commitment, bad work ethic, or just not having the required skill-set. Being clear and detailed is important when you break the news, both from a legal point of view and to prevent potential PR nightmares. Let them know there is no proper way to move forward and any discussion on the matter is pointless.

Also important is doing proper documentation such as write-ups, performance reports, and other financial forms like health insurance.

4. It Will Be an Emotional Landslide for Them

Some workers take the news like a trooper and others will go through all five stages of grief in one go, including anger. The best way to deal with the latter is to show empathy. If they want to vent, let them have a few words, so long as they stay appropriate and within the proper role of conduct. Sometimes, it is best to give them the last laugh.

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