How to Write a Termination Letter Professionally

You'll see I marked the difficult of this task as CHALLENGING. If you had to look up how to write a termination letter, then you understand why. Firing someone, especially in this economy, can be very painful. Even if the employee deserves it, you feel guilty taking their job away from them.

However, for the sake of business, what needs to be done has got to be done and I'll help give you a precise guide on how to do it.

Instructions

1. 

   Be firm! Don't beat around the bush in you're letter. Come straight out and say it. The time of the person you are firing is valuable now that they are without a job, so don't waste it by writing a big summary of their time working for you before you get to the point. They no longer have a job, and the first part of the termination should be VERY clear on that.

2. 

   Provide a list of your reasons. After you have clearly stated that they no longer have a job, THEN provide the reasons as to why not. Don't do this before hand or it will just confuse them.

   Spell it out, one by one as directly as you stated they were fired. For example... #1. You scare away the customers #2. You wouldn't stop sneaking into girl's bathroom. So on and so forth. Just remember to be direct here. You don't have to be mean, but you want to make sure that the employee is clear as to why they are without a job.

3. 

   Don't let them beg for their job back. I guarantee you that when they receive their letter, they WILL confront you. I mean, it IS their job and they know they won't be landing a new one for a while. Some may just yell at you for it, but many will beg and plead to keep their jobs. Don't give in! Not only will every day at work from that point on be a highly awkward experience, but they won't take you serious when you start having the same problems with them you had in the first place. Plus, all of the other employees WILL find out you let them keep their job and they will expect the same from you when and if they are terminated.

   Be firm and repeat the reasons as many times as you need to.

   Finally, close the letter by giving them any information they will need on receiving their last pay check or paper work they will need to complete regarding their termination.

Tips & Warnings

• Be firm with the fact they are fired.

• Give them a specific list of reasons for their termination.

• Don't let them beg for their job back.