Terminating an employee is a stressful experience regardless of the circumstances. While firing is a fact of life for most enterprises, layoffs are far less common and far more unsettling.
When terminating employees, there is a right way and a wrong way. This research note offers advice on how to get it done the right way, including the following points:
- Why terminations happen in the first place.
- Why many enterprises avoid terminating staff, even if avoidance is to their detriment.
- A list of termination recommendations to maximize fairness and minimize risk.
Terminating a staff member is especially difficult when a good employee is released as part of a cost-cutting measure. Regardless of the circumstances, terminations should be handled with sensitivity and dignity while still protecting the enterprise's legal position.