How to Fire Someone.
Telling someone they've lost their job is never easy.
But with the right preparation, you can make it go smoothly.
You will need Documentation of any misdeeds Directness Someone to escort them out of the
office Notes A witness A box of tissues and someone to shut down their computer access.
Step 1.
Document all the actions leading up to the dismissal: the employee's misdeeds, your repeated
warnings, and – if you can – their acknowledgement that they received these warnings.
It's good practice in general, plus it will be useful if the employee sues for wrongful
termination.
Step 2.
Though employers tend to let people go at the end of the work week, it's more considerate
to do it at the beginning of the week, when they can sign up for unemployment and start
their job hunt, instead of making them stew all weekend.
Step 3.
Fire them in person.
It's unprofessional, not to mention cold-hearted, to inform someone via email or voice mail.
Have a witness who can attest to how everything went down, just in case your professionalism
is called into question.
Step 4.
Be direct.
Tell them why they are being let go, when they can expect their final paycheck, and
whether they are getting severance.
Don't beat around the bush – it will only make the news harder to absorb.
Step 5.
Be brief.
You don't want to give the impression the subject is open to debate.
And keep it professional.
Avoid personal statements like, "I really feel bad about this," which could encourage
them to respond in kind, dragging you into a messy conversation.
Keep a box of tissues handy.
Step 6.
It's become common practice to ask the person to leave as soon as they've settled their
affairs with the Human Resources department.
If your company handles sensitive information, or if you believe the person may try to retaliate,
consider escorting them out of the building and shipping their personal effects to them.
Have someone shut down their computer access while they are being fired, and retrieve company
property like a PDA and office keys from them before they leave.
Step 7.
As soon as the meeting is over, while your memory is still fresh, write down a detailed
account of what happened to document that you went by the book.
Did you know One of the most frequently cited reasons for firing an employee is poor attendance.