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ARTICLE · 15 OCTOBER 2013

How (Not) To Terminate An Employee

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One of the most difficult things a business owner, investor or manager will ever have to do is to terminate someone’s employment.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Mark Neuberger
Mark Neuberger
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One of the most difficult things a business owner, investor or manager will ever have to do is to terminate someone's employment. While it is always "bad" for the employee who is getting fired, delivering the bad news can be stressful and interpersonally uncomfortable, especially if you have worked closely with the person you have to fire. Furthermore, if the bad news is delivered poorly it could inflame an already heated situation or worse, it could lead to a discrimination lawsuit.

Here are five things you should never do when terminating an employee.

  1. Fail to take time to prepare. Walking to a termination meeting somewhat confused and unsure of what you will say is a great way to convey to the employee the sense that this is a bad decision and termination is not be justified.

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