There is nothing fun about the process for firing or letting go of an employee. Regardless of whether you are the one giving the news or getting the news, you need to make sure that the process is as calm and smooth as possible.
While there are plenty of legal considerations we will want you to have a look at before you fire an employee, there are also numerous practical and emotional considerations that you should take into account before delivering the dreaded news.
In this article we look at some of the tips you should follow when it comes to firing an employee. End your time with the employee in a respectful manner without any hiccups.
Don’t Surprise Them
A worker being fired for poor performance shouldn’t be surprised. Make sure that you hold meetings with them before the termination, send them warning letters and let them know the extreme side of what might be coming up.
Many states have statutes for at will employment, which means that employers can fire workers at any given time for any legal reason, but this isn’t a good practice to follow.
Legally, you might be able to fire an employee suddenly without prior notice, but this isn’t the kind of behavior you want your organization to be known for. Set your culture on integrity and avoid such abhorrent measures.
Do It Face to Face
Knowing that you have to fire someone during the day can be uncomfortable, and you might be tempted into sending an email or a text instead, but that isn’t the right way to go. How would you react if you were fired over text?
Well, hold a face to face meeting with the employee and include the HR to assure the employee that all their dues and benefits would be given to them, along with the kind of recommendation they want. Make it easy on them.
Be Clear and Concise
Now is seriously not the time to divert off topic or even talk about how you didn’t want the employee to be fired, but the higher-ups didn’t listen anyway. Be clear and concise with the information and deliver it in a precise and respectable manner.
Make sure you know the reasons the employee is being fired, and have proper examples of what led to this. You can include copies of performance reports or other write-ups in the meeting to clear your point of view.
Be firm and clear in the way you deliver the news and make it clear that there is no room for negotiation from this position.
We at JS Benefits Group have worked with numerous clients to discuss the right way to let go of employees from your firm. You can get in touch with JS Benefits Group immediately to discuss and devise a policy.
