How to Make The Tough Decision Of Terminating an Employee
Recession is going on. Layoffs are happening. It is a tough call from a manager’s point of view as he has to make this tough decision of terminating an employee to indulge into cost cutting exercises. The fact that at some point or the other, a time will come when a manager needs to make the tough decision to terminate an employee. These types of decisions are never easy, but necessary.
But the fact is that these kind of decisions to lay off employees should be accomplished in a plan full, formal and logical fashion so that a person can have loads of control over the discussion. It should be kept in mind that this decision to terminate an employee should be made by doing a thorough discussion with your boss and Human Resources.
It is not just the manager who knows all about an employee, but other people also should know about the layoffs as well. Before making any kind of final decision, you should also consult the rules and regulations of a contract as well. Here are some of the key points to keep in mind while laying off an employee:
- It is mandatory to hold the meeting and this should be held early Monday morning. It is believed this is the best day of the week to get this done. Why I am saying so because it will offer the concerned employee with the rest of the work-week to adjust with the whole situation in the best way possible and actively begin to prepare for the change.
- When you bring the person in your conference so that you can break the news to him, it is advised that you should never get indulged into small talks. Don’t make jokes. Just be direct and supportive by getting down to the issue as soon as possible.
- Tell the person directly and confirm that this is the final decision so that the employee is not kept in any dark.
- Review termination procedures:
- What is his or her last effective work day.
- Disposition of work in process.
- Removal of personal effects, expense books, etc.
- Never leave your employee alone. Ensure that the company is always with him and at the same time you should offer to help the employee think about his/her next steps in searching for a new job.