How to keep cool and move forward when it comes to employee relationships

Terminating employees is the hardest part of being a supervisor. It’s also the most legally dangerous. More lawsuits stem from firings than any other employee interactions. So what can you do?

Here are five smart tips for conducting those termination meetings:

1. Keep your cool. Don’t spring the firing suddenly or berate the employee in front of others. Instead, you want to calmly and briefly deliver the news by summarizing the well-documented, job related reasons for the termination. Don’t get drawn into a back-and-forth argument with the employee. Explain that the decision is final and immediate.

2. Avoid surprises. Employees should never be completed surprised by a termination. If they have been given regular feedback and suggestions on ways to improve, the termination could almost be

3. Watch what you say. On the day you fire someone, he or she will remember whatever you say in the worst possible light. Stick to the facts. Don’t make any generalizing statements and avoid harsh

4. Don’t be too kind. You may feel compassion for the person, but don’t express your feelings in the wrong way. Don’t offer compliments on other parts of his/her performance to soft then blow. Doing so might make you feel better, but it will only give the fired employee a reason to question your motives. So be compassionate, but stick to the facts.

5. Keep quiet and keep it private. Always discharge employees in closed-door meetings. If possible, have another manager or HR person there was a witness. That way, it’ll be much harder for employees to challenge what you said later on. Don’t discuss your reasons for terminations with other employees or outsiders. It’s enough to say, “John won’t be working with us anymore.” Send out an email with a one-sentence announcement. Hopefully, these tips will lead to stress-free and lawsuit-free termination meetings for years to come.

Improving employee relationships is always a priority in every supervisor employee relationship. In some cases, it’s best to identify when the relationship has come to a close. We hope these tips were of value to you.

LUXA Enterprises offers outsourced hr solutions for small and mid-size businesses in the Tulsa and surrounding areas. If you’re considering a short or long-term approach for your hr needs, give us a call for more information at 918-928-7288.