What
You Must Consider When Terminating Employees
Terminating employees is an unpleasant, but necessary task for
managers. It is not for the faint of heart, and as a manager, it
does not contribute to your popularity among the rank-and-file.
Terminating employees is an emotional minefield not only for the
employee, but also for you. You may find your other workers look
at you sideways. If the terminated employee has a family, rumors
may circulate you. You may find out you have not only hurt "old
Joe" but also his sickly wife and his three fair-haired children.
Joe's parting gift is to make you seem cruel and heartless to everyone
else. But even during the worst times, remember nonproductive and
insubordinate employees will destroy productivity. They can even
create unsafe working conditions. Sometimes you have no choice.
You must fire the "bad apple."
But you will face certain risks terminating employees. Lawsuits
today are more common. Anyone and everyone can file a lawsuit.
Unfortunately, those employees who make the manager's life the
most difficult are more likely to seek legal damages. If it gets
to court, the judge usually favors the employee. Make sure you
have solid documentation when terminating a person's employment.
You must show the worker had a pattern of offensive behavior that
you addressed repeatedly with disciplinary actions.
Terminating Employees in a Fair Manner
By following certain steps during the termination process, your
actions and decisions will seem fair to a court. Be sure that you
have records of previous evaluations. When did you address these
issues? What were the dates? How did the employee react to his
or her evaluation? Keep written records of all performance related
memos and warnings.
Before the termination, consult human resources. Have a representative
from this department present to witness the termination meeting.
During the meeting, be as professional as possible. Remember if
you terminate properly, you will not surprise the employee. You
have gone over their behavior problems with them many times before.
The employee will know that they are on shaky ground.
Be unemotional about the termination in front of the employee's
coworkers. Recognize you terminated this employee because of your
personal feelings toward him or her.
Although it is difficult, the employee and the workforce, you
can get through it by following a standard process. Document well
and act professionally. The termination and its effects will be
over before you know it.
Now,
how terminating employees is done.
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