Firing Someone Without Resentment

Firing, sacking, letting go or terminating people is unpleasant. There are ways to minimise resentment, but why bother? Because most legal action and unpleasantness stems from dissatisfaction/resentment about the way things were handled - about how rather than what happened. Dismissal can be unfair because of the reason, or the way it was done, so you need to be extremely careful. In the law regarding employer-employee relationships, fairness is key. You must be fair, and be seen to be fair. But fairness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder - after being terminated, very few people have clear vision!

Prepare a disciplinary process/policy given to all, with a sequence of verbal then written warnings ending with dismissal. Ensure processes allow for discipline/termination on grounds of both performance (capability) and attitude (conduct). Specify your right to instantly dismiss someone (summary dismissal) for gross misconduct, and give guidance on what would constitute this.

Have hard evidence to back up all decisions. Documentation of poor conduct and/or capability is essential. You have to follow your own process to avoid legal unfairness. Negative appraisals/reviews make good evidence.

Never take decisions lightly - weak performance can sometimes be improved by skilled intervention/support. Termination is traumatic/demotivating for surviving staff, even when they understand why.

Avoid surprises by giving every opportunity for improvement before opting to terminate. This reduces grounds for legal action. Plus, survivors feel less threatened if they see you are fair. Employees who have been aware for some time there is a problem are usually less traumatised, and may already be looking elsewhere. Always avoid firing someone who has no idea its a possibility, except for summary dismissal.

Get legal advice if you have any questions. Balance £200-500 for advice against £50,000 max unfair dismissal compensation! Phone lawyers and ask for advice on dismissal - sometimes possible over the phone for a fee. Remember, sexual/racial discrimination compensation is unlimited, so always take legal advice if this might be alleged, whether or not it happened.

Plan your speech exactly and write out a script. It ensures you say everything necessary, and helps if you get stuck. There can be temptation to offer sympathetic/reassuring words to sweeten the message. Unfortunately, kindness here can cause confusion and lead to legal action. Have a witness present - never fire one-to-one.

Stay calm - never act in anger. Even summary dismissal can be done after an hour to prepare and calm down. If employees lash out verbally/physically, don't respond. Get it right, and this is the last time you will deal with them - they will no longer be your problem.

Be humane - treat people sympathetically if possible - without conveying anything positive about conduct/capability. They are losing their job and income. They are frightened, angry, upset, devastated - and you have to deal with it. Sympathise with their predicament without commenting on the cause. Being calm and softly spoken can negate trauma. It also decreases unpleasantness - it's harder to abuse someone who is being nice to you.

Recommended action: · Have a policy, publicised to all staff, and signed for receipt by all.

· Have the policy legally checked by an expert.

· Always prepare.

· Remember the way you terminate someone can be legally unfair, even if the grounds are perfect.

Julie-Ann Amos is a professional writer and business consultant. Find out more at http://www.hackingreality.com

---

Three Professional Services Resolutions for 2005

With client expectations higher than ever before, and the gradual industry recovery ahead, consulting firms will need to focus more than ever on carefully identifying and serving... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Reduce the High Cost of Employee Absenteeism

Employers pay a high price for absenteeism, often more than they may realize, in terms of both financial and production losses and employee morale. Managers may view... Read More

Virtual Assistance: A Money Saving Opportunity For Employers

What is a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant is a highly skilled, independent entrepreneur who provides business services in a remote or virtual environment. Some have used... Read More

Human Resource Communication Pays Off

Human Resource Communications and Corporate Communications ? are they one in the same? Both plan and develop written communication strategies to further the understanding and perceptions of... Read More

How to Delegate More Effectively

Do this simple excercise, and transform your life.First, Make a list of recurring "to do's". (Daily To-Do's, Weekly To-Do's, monthly To-Do's, Quarterly To-Do's, Annual To Do's, and... Read More

Keep Your Good Workers by Building Good Leaders

A recent report from the American Hospital Association's Commission on the Workforce asked healthcare workers key questions about the performance of their front line managers. The study... Read More

Build Rapport Fast! - Eight Easy Steps

Building rapport is all about creating a relationship, in the moment. And this is vital in business, education, friendships and many other areas of life. We need... Read More

Getting Your Employees Attention Back to Work

It is 9:00 am on a Monday morning. Do you know where your employees' attention is? Is it on work?Picture this. You are at work. The phone... Read More

Too Much Time Treating Symptoms

A man drives down the highway each day on his way to work. On Monday he gets a flat tire. Like anyone else, he takes his lumps,... Read More

Your Blueprint For Business Success

Before you start your own business one of the first things you need to do is draw up your business plan. This is your blueprint for success.... Read More

50 Great Ways to Motivate and Not Break the Bank

Quick, Easy, and Even Fun! 1. Smile, say "Hi! How are you doing today?"2. Regularly invite someone to join you for coffee.3. Send them flowers, chocolate, a... Read More

Managing Meetings

Plan/prepare - lack of purpose causes aimless meetings. Know why you're there - what the meeting is for.Unnecessary meetings waste time, and regular meetings, e.g. weekly, become... Read More

Top Ten Tips About People Management

To get the best results you have to be very good at Managing People...and it's not as hard as you might think. Here are the secrets of... Read More

Sarbanes Oxley 404 Compliance - How Nov. 15, 2004 Deadline Affects You

Fast Relief for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 ComplianceSection 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires management to confirm the effectiveness of their IT and financial controls in an... Read More

Profound Knowledge

We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its information that will make our lives easier or just small packets of data that in a trivial... Read More

The Rise of Corporate Chair Massages

Employers have rapidly begun to understand the importance of stress relief in the workplace. Stress free employees have a higher retention rate and higher rates of productivity.... Read More

Recruitment - Do You Know What Youre Looking For?

The time will come when you'll need to interview someone to join your business or your existing team. If you work in a large organisation then this... Read More

Joint Accountability: Another Key for Your Effectiveness

I once was part of a group of management professors who often taught in executive development seminars. Other non-management professors in the school ran these. Occasionally these... Read More

Paretos Law- Your Formula For Success

A 'dirt-world' retail business I used to manage had a large turnover, a very high profit, and less than 100 lines. Early in 2001, I was contracted... Read More

Retaining An Expert -- What Every Business Owner Needs To Know

As an entrepreneur, hiring an expert can be one of the most efficient ways to turbo-charge your business. However, thousands of consultants flood the Information Highway, and... Read More

How To Rebuild Trust

Here are some quick thoughts on ways to turn things around.Determine the real reasons why trust has diminished. Is it a problem in your industry? Something that... Read More

Hire People For What They Do Best

I recently flew from Seattle to Atlanta, I realized, just as we began our taxi, that it takes hundreds of support personnel to maintain a flight. I... Read More

Follow Up: It Makes A Difference

A while back the headlight switch on our minivan quit working, so early one Saturday morning we took it to the neighborhood repair shop that has been... Read More

Qualities of a Great Manager

In the call center environment we are often only as successful as the people we hire. While our front line employees are critical to our business, choosing... Read More

5 Ways to Work More Effectively With Your Administrative Assistant

Stop hiring new administrative support staff. And learn how to retain your existing administrative staff.Are you a manager, director or other senior-level personnel who wants to work... Read More

Nonprofit Performance: Outcome Measurement Can Be A Good Thing

Does the idea of program evaluation make your stomach churn? If so, you're not alone. Many nonprofit professionals and volunteers view program evaluation with fear. The idea... Read More