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Dear Colleagues,
Attracting, managing and retaining a productive workforce is the bedrock of a successful business. But what happens when a member of your team just isn't working out?
One very common question we get asked at Clear HR Consulting by clients and prospective clients is: How do I fire an employee? As a business owner, if you've selected and trained well, set clear expectations, and provided regular ongoing performance coaching and feedback, your need to let go of an employee should be minimal.
However, it can and does happen that people just don't fit in with your organization. So what do you do?
In this edition of HR Smalltalk, we'll discuss the do's and don'ts of firing an employee.
For more information, feel free to contact us at 604.688.3879.
Warm regards,
Cissy Pau
Principal Consultant
Clear
HR Consulting Inc.
How To Fire An Employee: The Do's and Don'ts of Terminating Employees to Keep You Out of Hot Water
Having to fire an employee is one of the most difficult and traumatic decisions that a business owner can make. Letting an employee go is hard not only on the employee, but also on the employer, and the other employees in your company. It is a decision that should never be undertaken lightly.
Common reasons for firing an employee include:
- Performance-related issues
- Poor personality fit or attitude fit with company
- Attendance issues
- Violating company policies
- Lack of work
- Company reorganization
We've put together some quick tips on the do's and don'ts of terminating an employee:
What to Do:
- Make the firing decision carefully, but once made, act quickly - Firing an employee is one of the most difficult decisions an employer can make, regardless of the reason for the termination. Make sure the decision is well-reasoned and thought out, and then if the decision is made to terminate, act quickly so that it does not continue to negatively affect you or other employees.
- If firing due to performance-related reasons, ensure that multiple meetings have been held with the employee prior to making the firing decision to address and correct the performance issue.
- Be respectful and discreet when having the termination meeting. The meeting should preserve the dignity of the employee.
- Ensure that your severance or notice arrangements meet legal requirements. Consult an employment lawyer if necessary.
- Ensure that you have a written termination letter and release which documents the terms and conditions of the termination.
What Not to Do:
- Don't get personal. The reason for firing the employee should be business-related or due to performance issues, not due to personal, subjective or emotional opinions about the employee.
- Don't make a decision to terminate for cause without conducting a proper investigation. The decision should be based on an objective series of facts, not one or two individual opinions or stories.
- Don't hold the termination meeting in a public place. The meeting should be held in a private location, free from disruptions.
- Don't go into a termination meeting unprepared. Prepare the written letter, rehearse what you will say, how you will say it, and in what sequence.
- Don't get defensive or debate the merits of the firing decision with the employee. Allow the employee to react and raise questions, be understanding and sympathetic, but reinforce that the firing decision is definite and final.
Firing an employee is never easy. Make the decision thoughtfully and with care, and then act.
When in doubt, seek the advice of an employment lawyer or human resources expert prior to making to the decision to let the employee go.
HIRE QUALITY EMPLOYEES CONFIDENTLY
As the owner of a small business, you want to take advantage of your many business growth opportunities. To do so, you need the right people in place. However, hiring staff isn't your area of expertise and previous attempts turned into major headaches. Recruiters and headhunters are beyond your budget.
Designed for smaller companies, our Hiring Right Package helps you develop and implement a simple, cost-effective hiring process, customized to your business, that you can use again and again.
You quickly learn how to:
- Find great candidates for your vacant positions;
- Screen out the time-wasters;
- Interview with confidence;
- Select the right person for your business;
- Use the right offer letter to avoid expensive and time-consuming legal problems; and
- Get new staff to hit the ground running.
You receive all the easy-to-use tools and templates needed to find the right staff efficiently and effectively, saving you both time and money. Our flat-fee pricing ensures there are no billing surprises.
Find out what our Hiring Right Package can do for your business
For more information on Clear HR Consulting Inc., or if you have any questions, contact us at info@clearhrconsulting.com
or 604.688.3879.
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