Avoid lawsuits and protect your business by terminating employees the right way.
Terminating an employee is one of the most difficult decisions a business owner must make. In the process of doing so, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Here is a list to help you effectively let someone go. ? ?
Do the necessary preparations. Consult with a lawyer to know which documents to prepare. You will most likely be required to build a case file to establish the reason(s) for termination so review records for any potential violations and gather all the past warnings given to this particular employee. These can help you validate your decision and strengthen your case. Always strive for objectivity. Remember, the decision to terminate should be a reasonable business judgment and not based on emotions.
Do it in private. When terminating an employee, it is best that you bring him to a more private area to avoid embarrassing him in front of his co-workers. Let the terminated employee tell his story and give him the opportunity to maintain his dignity throughout the process. Do not terminate an employee without a witness and take the proper security and safety precautions throughout the process.
Use the appropriate language. Explain the reasons for termination thoroughly in a calm and objective manner. You should make it clear that you appreciated his services even though things did not work out. This can help you avoid violent reactions during the termination process and ward off any potential employee lawsuits over wrongful termination claims.
Reduce possible conflicts. To minimize the damage on his professional records, you should give the employee the opportunity to resign ? especially if the termination is based on poor work performance. If everything goes well and the employee agrees to resign, ensure him that you are willing to provide references when requested. You should also offer placing them with a personnel agency for interviews. However, make it clear that neither party should bad mouth the other to avoid any legal actions.
Talk it out. It is extremely important that you talk to your employees about the “resignation” of one of their peers. Try to determine how they feel about the situation so that you will have a better idea on how you can better handle similar situations in the future.
Terminating an employee can be an emotionally draining experience for everyone involved but you may need to do it to keep your business secure. You will never know when you will be in such a situation so you need to know how to do it right if you want to protect your business without necessarily ruining someone else’s career.???
