It’s difficult enough to explain to an employee why he’s being led off for commercial reasons; however, when you lay someone off due to poor performance, you’re entering area that may be landing your organization in legal trouble if it’s not done properly.
Develop a system for analyzing employee performance before designating people for performance-based dismissal to safeguard your organization from future lawsuits and wrongful termination claims.
The Task
For business owners and HR professionals, removing an employee from the payroll is never a simple task.
It’s even more difficult if the individual is being fired due to poor performance.
Despite (ideally) numerous attempts to address the situation, the employee simply does not understand or is unwilling to strive to improve their performance.
The only reasonable choice for business owners is to let them go.
They may tremble at the prospect of terminating someone, fearful that the employee would have a difficult time finding new work.
Or in many circumstances, simply ignore the issue in the hope that it will go away.
When it comes to firing an employee due to poor performance, there are a few things you should avoid saying.
Make No Apologies
You may feel bad for the employee, be sorry you hired them, or be sorry they didn’t work out, but apologies imply you’re sorry they’re being fired, which weakens your position.
The employee should have been given enough notice to remedy whatever behavior led to their dismissal, but they were unable or unwilling to do so.
Or they should be aware that if they break a severe corporate policy, they will be fired without warning.
It’s a business choice, not an emotional one, to fire an employee. Apologies are pointless and easily misconstrued.
Don’t Make Comparisons Between Them and Other Employees
What other employees do is unimportant. They were employed to satisfy the job’s standards, and now they’re being fired for failing to do so.
Discussions about how Linda accomplishes things faster or how James is always on time are ineffective.
They’ll simply lead to justifications and excuses: she’s been here longer, and he doesn’t have to drive as far.
These debates are irrelevant; the individual has failed to meet the job’s standards and has been fired. The performance of coworkers should not be brought up in conversation.
How to Lay Someone off Due to Poor Performance
You should have any COBRA details on hand to provide to the employee. If they were eligible for COBRA benefits.
You’ll also want to bring as much papers and Documentations as feasible. Writing a Termination letter is a good idea.
When you prepare ahead of time for your termination meeting, it will be much easier.
If there are any records of warnings or write-ups that detail the problem, keep them handy.
Have data on customer complaints, returns, and errors on hand if the performance issue is related to them.
Finally, prepare a separation checklist, which lists any corporate property that must be returned at the separation meeting (keys, uniforms, computers, etc.).
Set up a Meeting
Hold a private meeting right away, go over the proper notices and documentation, then remove them from the premises quickly, quietly, and with dignity.
It’s tempting to fire an employee over the phone or by text message, but it’s best to speak with them in person.
A manager or business owner may inform an employee to stop by HR or the owner’s office at the end of the day, which is a harsh but typical practice.
As a result, there will be a day of anxiety and suspicion about the encounter, which will most likely spread to coworkers.
When you’re ready to speak with an employee, ask their manager to bring them to your office, or go get them.
When you’re firing an employee due to poor performance, what should you say?
Your termination meeting should be brief and straightforward; there’s no need to waste time.
Notify the employee that they will be fired effective immediately due to poor performance.
You should specify:
- you’ve received several complaints (do not name names if they’re from coworkers)
- or you’ve received multiple complaints because of tardiness or inadequate performance, etc.
- Whatever the reason, it can no longer be tolerated.
It’s acceptable to react to the employee’s queries, but don’t let the conversation drag on. A termination meeting should take approximately 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Conclusively, professionally arranging a termination meeting can help you navigate difficult circumstances and make your workplace more productive and enjoyable in the future.
