Let’s face it. It is rarely easy to let an employee go. Unless they have done something unethical or catastrophic to the company, it’s not going to feel good. Here are some tips to letting go of an employee with grace so they can leave with their head held high.
1) Don’t let this be the first time they hear of their poor performance
Constructive criticism and regular feedback play very important roles in the performance of your employees. Your employee should be made aware of any shortcomings and problem behaviour and given a chance to improve before you resort to letting them go. Consistent feedback leads to better employee performance. By telling employees what they need to work on and what they are doing well, you boost their confidence, engagement, and likely work ethic. An employee should never be blindsided by being let go! If you have had coaching conversations with them and they are aware of performance gaps, it may not be such a surprise if that fateful day comes.
2) Be clear and concise
There is no need to beat around the bush when you are letting an employee go. Stick to the point and convey the facts with a clear and calm delivery. Your employee deserves the chance to know where they went wrong so they can address their shortcomings and improve upon them prior to making their next career move. Stick to the facts and avoid bringing personal emotions into the situation. Oftentimes, your employees become like family, so sticking to the point may make it easier for both of you to accept and move forward. Just remember to always follow the rules of the Employment/Labour Standards Act for your province or territory.
3) Deliver the news with compassion and positive affirmations
Try to have them leave on a high note. Yes, there were concerns that led you to let them go, but I am sure they had some great qualities as well. Just as constructive feedback is important, sharing what they were doing well can go a long way. Leaving them with their dignity and confidence intact is paramount. The job hunt lying ahead of them will not be easy and going into it feeling depleted is not a recipe for success. Try delivering the bad news with a couple points about where they excelled. Be compassionate in your delivery while sticking to the facts. If they take the news poorly and become emotional, offer to pack up their belongings for them so they don’t have to, or to call a friend or relative of theirs to come pick them up. A little empathy will go a long way.
4) Provide a reference
One of the most helpful things you can do for the outgoing employee is write a good reference. Writing them a reference letter even though you let them go will assist them greatly with securing their next position. It will set them up to put their best foot forward. It will likely be challenging for them to navigate the topic of why they were let go in job interviews; having a reference from the person who just let them go shows that they must have some great qualities and that they left on good terms.
As hard as it is to fire an employee, it is possible to do it with kindness and grace. There is no need to make the process ugly or hurtful, it is already a tough situation. Follow these steps to ensure a seamless process. Good luck!
