Once you have all your legal ducks in a row, don’t procrastinate. Get it over with first thing on Monday morning. If you wait until Friday afternoon, you will worry about the dreaded task all week long, and the fired employee will stew about it all weekend. Ask your manager or another trusted employee to be present to reduce the risk of subsequent disputes over what was discussed.
I’ve been asked to share exactly what I say; so for what it’s worth, here it is: “We have called you in to discuss a difficult issue. You know that we have not been happy with your performance. We are still not happy with it, despite all the discussions we have had, and we feel that you can do better elsewhere. So today we will part company, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Here is your severance check. I hope there are no hard feelings.”
Dr. Joseph S. Eastern
There will, of course, be hard feelings, despite all your “hopes,” but that cannot be helped. The point is to be quick, firm, and decisive. Get it over with and allow everyone to move on. Make it clear, when necessary, that the decision has already been made, so arguing or pleading will change nothing.
Be sure to get all your office keys back – or change the locks if you cannot. Back up all important computer files and change all your passwords. Most employees know more of them than you would ever suspect.
Finally, call the staff together and explain everything. They should hear it from you, not some distorted version via the rumor mill. You don’t have to divulge every detail, but do explain how the termination will affect everyone else. Responsibilities will need to be shifted until a replacement can be hired, and all employees should understand that.
If you are asked in the future to give a reference or write a letter of recommendation for the terminated employee, be sure that everything you say is truthful and well documented.
Dr. Eastern practices dermatology and dermatologic surgery in Belleville, N.J. He is the author of numerous articles and textbook chapters, and is a longtime monthly columnist for Dermatology News. Write to him at dermnews@mdedge.com.