Firing: The Best Way to Let Your Employees Go and How You Can Avoid the Same Situation in the Future

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The words “you’re fired” spark a lot of emotion, but in some unfortunate circumstances, they’re necessary to say or hear. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In today’s episode, co-hosts Richard Lindner and Jeff Mask talk about best practices when it comes to delivering termination news. Most leaders have faced—or will face—that moment of truth when they have to let someone go. There’s a right way and a wrong way to fire people, Richard and Jeff believe, and they want to give you the script.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen in for some super practical advice on firing someone the right way and tips for preventing it in the first place.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Script</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They start off with the script right away, then work backward. Here’s what you say in 30 seconds or less. If you handle things right from the very beginning, this is how easy it can be to fire someone. If you’ve led with clarity, if everybody knew what was required/expected, there shouldn’t be surprises. Having a script memorized is key so you don’t freeze up under pressure.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The script: “Hey, Jeff. Thanks for joining me. Listen, the decision has been made that this will be your last day with the company. I’m sure this is not what you wanted to hear, but I’m also sure it’s not a total surprise. While I know this isn’t how you wanted it to end, I’m sure there is some relief as well. I have this HR person with me. They’re going to walk you through what’s next with benefits and any remaining pay and returning equipment and next steps. I’m sorry it turned out this way. It’s not what any of us hoped for. I wish you luck and let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It may seem short, even cold, but when you hear the process leading up to it, you’ll see why this is all that’s needed.</span></