Being the boss means calling the shots in all the affairs of your organization or unit. This is great, but not so great when it includes firing an employee. Yes, being a boss also means that you may need to terminate an employee. You may need to terminate an employee for various reasons such as bad performance, bad conduct, or downsizing. Whatever be the reason, you need to conduct employee termination process. You need to deal with it compassionately so that the employee does not harbor any resentment against you or your company. Let’s see how you can do that.
Visualize the Scenario From the Employee’s Point of View
While terminating an employee, you need to visualize the scenario leading to and after the termination from the employee’s perspective. You need to step into the employee’s shoes. Being empathetic to others would help you in planning the whole process. There is no doubt that the employee being terminated would become upset by the news of his termination. You need to be mindful of the feelings of the employee while planning the process and conducting the employee termination meeting.
Terminate in Private
Making the employee termination process a public affair in the office is not a good idea. You need to make it a private affair. Announcing your intention of terminating an employee in front of others or in the workplace is a bad gesture. Moreover, you need to do it face to face with all the integrity. Call the employee to come and meet you in a private space, meet him and carry on with the process. You need to avoid terminating through emails and messages at all costs.
Come Straight to the Point
Don’t beat around the bush about the reasons for firing an employee. Let’s be true to your intentions and come straight to the point, but be honest to yourself and compassionate to the fallout of the announcement on the employee. This will keep the task simple while letting the employee get an idea about the whole process and reasons thereof quickly.
Be Specific About the Reason
You need to cite the reason why you have taken it upon yourself to terminate the employee. This has the ability to soothe frayed nerves of the employee, especially if it is for reasons like performance or conduct for which he or she has been warned previously.
Documents Stand in Good Stead
If it feels like proving a charge against an employee such as non-cooperation, performance or conduct, it augurs well to have documents in two. You can show proof to the employee.
Offer Some Space to the Employee
The idea of employee termination may be one-way traffic, but the termination meeting doesn’t need to be one way. You need to offer space to the employee so that he can talk in some detail and offer his side of explanation. This can help the employee calm down and exit without any resentment.
Try to Help
You are taking away his or her job, but you are still in a position to help him secure some benefits. You can explain the insurance package, vacation pay or bonus to him.
Conclusion
Terminating an employee is one of the most tactful tasks. Hope these tips will help an employer to terminate an employee compassionately.
