When & How to Fire Your Personnel

Every business owner will face the challenge of hiring and firing personnel at some point, and while it’s never an easy task, there are some general guidelines that can help you make the right decision when the time comes. How do you know when the right time comes? Let’s take a look at when to fire your personnel:

It is important to be sure that you have hiring procedures in place that reduce the likelihood of hiring someone who is not a good fit for your company. Be clear about what you’re looking for in an employee from the date of hire. Make sure you take the time to write a detailed job description, and be specific about the skills and experience you expect – this will help you weed out candidates who aren’t a good fit from the beginning.
Then don’t hesitate to address someone who isn’t meeting your expectations. Be kind and clear to reorient the expectations and focus on quality. Refer back to the job description as reviewed upon the hiring date, and be sure to document this with performance reviews or similar documentation.
After an opportunity for adjustment has been provided, be bold to address their strengths and see if there’s another position on your team that would be a better fit for them. If there’s no other available position that would allow them to use their strengths for the business, then it might be time to let them go. It’s often easier to let someone go than to try to work through conflict resolution and it’s better for the business in the long run to remove people from positions if they seem to be weakening the company than strengthening it.

This can be a difficult task since emotions and tensions are heightened. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to firing, there are some general guidelines that can help make the process go more smoothly if conflict does arise. Let’s take a look at the following to help you know how to fire your personnel:

Be sure that you have a valid reason for terminating the employee. This could be due to unsatisfactory job performance, disciplinary issues, or a general lack of fit with the company. Consult with your human resources department to ensure that you are following proper procedure to avoid discrimination and prevent any legal issues down the road.
If conflict resolution efforts have failed with your personality type and the team member’s, then the person may need an alternative person in leadership with perhaps a “less-intimidating” personality to act quickly and decisively to address the issue. Using a buffer among leadership staff can be helpful when applicable, as long as all leadership support the decisions of one another and communicate this well. If this is unavailable to you, make sure you always address this person within the bounds of your security camera(s), or invite them to a less intimidating, public atmosphere that offers a “neutral” space.
Any constructive criticism should be addressed in person – not over text – and followed up with a positive written summary of the conversation by email. That way there is a written record summarizing the conversation and you have another opportunity to reinforce what was addressed in person. Communicate your decision to the employee in a clear and concise way maintaining a respectful and professional tone.
Finally, be kind but firm in your communication, and avoid making promises that you cannot keep. You’ll want to be sure to follow up with the remaining employees after someone has been fired as well, letting them know that you are available to answer any questions or address any concerns they may have. Avoid any gossip or negative talk. Keep your conversations to the facts and take your emotion out of it to avoid speaking in an unprofessional or disrespectful manner. Encourage the positive adjustment among your staff.

Letting someone go is never easy, but by handling it with grace and professionalism, you can maintain your reputation as a bold leader and mutually leave the person on good terms, encouraging them into their next season of life. This will help enhance your skills as a leader and launch your business to the next level.

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