How to Let an Employee Go for Poor Performance
Deciding to let an employee go for poor performance is a difficult experience for any human resources manager. The employee may have a family to support, as well as high hopes for his future career with the company. However, your dismissal will cut off these hopes. A fired employee may experience some form of depression or could become irate. Therefore, it is necessary to go about this process as carefully as possible.
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Instructions
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Gather the employee's personnel file. This file should include all documentation of written and verbal disciplinary actions.
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Notify the security office or another manager of the dismissal before speaking with the employee. Make sure that no person leaks the dismissal information to the employee before you have had a chance to speak with the employee. Failing to keep the upcoming meeting under wraps could cause the employee to become belligerent, destroy company property or harm other employees out of spite.
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Speak with the employee in calm and even tones. Show the employee his documented disciplinary action reports. Avoid engaging in back and forth disagreements regarding the reports.
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Allow the employee to speak about his feelings regarding the dismissal. This type of exchange will give the employee a chance to learn what caused the dismissal and will provide a sense of closure. It will also show how he could have avoided the outcome for future reference with other employers.
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Ask the employee to return all company property. Notify the employee of any severance packages that he may be entitled to. If available, provide a previously prepared list of job research websites. Doing this will allow the former employee to see that your bottom line is excellent work relations for the company and not firing for no reason.
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End the meeting with a handshake and a warm smile. Most employees will understand that the exchange was simply about protecting the company if the disciplinary reports were documented in detail and the employee had the opportunity to review them beforehand.
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Notify the security office or another manager to expect the employee to leave the building shortly. It is best to allow the security personnel to assist the employee in walking to their car and away from the general vicinity of the building.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to provide the employee with his last paycheck, if possible, before exiting them from the building. This will cut down on angry employees reentering the building to pick up the last paycheck.
No person enjoys being fired. Be cautious with your safety when performing these types of procedures.
