How to Approach an Employee Termination

A termination should he handled quickly and thoroughly.

One of the toughest situations for a human resources professional is to approach the termination of an employee. In terminating an employee, the goal should be to do it as quickly and diplomatically as possible. Careful preparation can assist you during this awkward and delicate situation. Of course, these suggestions only apply to a termination not a situation involving violence.

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Organized employee files
Final paycheck

Instructions

- 1
  
  Keep detailed information in the employee's file regarding the reasons leading to the termination. If the employee is questioning the termination, it will be helpful to have short and accurate answers.
- 2
  
  Discuss the termination with the employee as soon as you are sure there are no other options. This should be done privately with the employee. It would be a good idea to have the employee's manager present, depending on the circumstances.
- 3
  
  Remain objective. The termination should be explained as a solid business decision. Name calling or putting an employee down is unprofessional and unproductive. This will only make the employee defensive and encourage a negative situation.
- 4
  
  Give the employee the dignity and respect you would expect under the same circumstances. Terminations are best conducted behind closed doors. Choose a prudent time to discuss the termination with the employee. My experience has been that discussing this issue with an employee near the end of their shift works best. This will also give the employee the opportunity to remove personal items when co-workers are gone for the day. This should be supervised to make sure that company property is not taken or destroyed.
- 5
  
  When terminating the employee you will need to have the final paycheck ready. The final paycheck will need to include all monies the employee is owed. This is required by law. It also helps avoid having a terminated employee return to pick up a check.

HG.org: How to Handle Firing an Employee

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Comments

Rosario Nov 25, 2011
some people should learn from this.

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How to Approach an Employee Termination

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