Human Resources Management | Firing an Employee: Lessen the Stress

Terminating an employee is often the toughest part of a boss’s job.

Let’s say you have a problem with one of your employees. You’ve given the employee verbal warnings. You also gave the employee a written reprimand, signed by you and the employee. In short, you’ve made every attempt to salvage the employee.

There’s no way around it: You must fire the employee.

Here are seven techniques you can use to make the job of terminating someone less unpleasant.

1. Adjust your attitude.Approach the firing in a positive manner. Never terminate an employee when you are upset.

Example: Think of the termination as in the mutual best interest of the employee and your company. If you don’t let the employee go, you will be depriving the employee of career time in another organization where he or she will have a future.

2. Choose the setting.It is to your advantage to approach the employee at his or her work station or another private location. Avoid your office. This allows you to say what needs to be said and leave when finished. You won’t be trapped in your office by an employee grasping at straws.
3. Use good timing.Time the termination to take place at the end of the employee’s work shift. This will keep the situation from disrupting your other employees.
4. Plan your approach.When you approach your employee, get directly to the point. Give the employee straight, honest reasons for the termination. The employee has a right to know the reasons for being terminated. Don’t be vague in your answers or concentrate on personal deficiencies. Explain briefly and to the point the reason or reasons that prompt the termination.
5. Be firm.Make it clear, in an unemotional manner, that your position is firm. Your decision to terminate the employment is final. Don’t get drawn into an argument over the reasons. If an argument arises, use reasons that are objective and hard to argue. But stay on track as diplomatically as possible.
6. Wrap up the termination in one discussion.Don’t leave any loose ends. Ask for keys to the office, control of the files, and important papers. Tell the employee how the final paycheck will be handled. When the discussion is done, the matter will be finished, and you can move on to more productive duties.
7. Have all your homework done. Go into great detail when preparing for an employee termination. Document all actions and decisions. Don’t back down. When you back down from a termination decision, you are only heading for bigger problems.