How To Fire an Employee: A Guide to Taking the Right Steps

Do you need to fire one of your employees? This is one of the most complex parts of managing people. Knowing how to fire an employee can make the experience a bit more pleasant for everyone. 

Sometimes, you can “counsel an employee” out of their job or encourage them to find other employment within a specific timeframe. However, running a business and managing employees requires knowing when it is time to let someone go immediately and following through to avoid more significant problems. Poor performance is the number one reason employees are fired from a job, so it is critical to document constructive feedback and performance reviews.  

No matter the reason for firing, be prepared to show compassion from the start. Even if this employee hasn’t done a great job, you will still turn their world upside down by firing them.

Here at 45 Solutions, we can help you set up firing procedures, including how to ease an employee out of their current position.  

Begin by Consulting Your Employee Handbook

Your company should have an employee handbook. (If it doesn’t, get to work on one now.) It should provide the procedures you’ve put in place for terminating employees.

Follow the guidelines for your company’s termination process outlined in your employee handbook verbatim. Taking this approach can prevent potential legal problems caused by a lack of termination policy compliance.

Have a Clear Reason for Firing an Employee

Are you figuring out how to fire an employee because they made one egregious mistake? Or are you doing it because they have underperformed at work for months?

Either way, you should establish a clear-cut reason for firing an employee. As we stated above, document everything so you can explain it to the employee using facts.   

Clear communication can help them understand the situation.

Have Someone With You When Firing an Employee

The employee you fire could react negatively to the news about their termination. They might attempt to harm you or begin damaging your office and the equipment and furniture that you have in it. This could quickly make an already bad situation worse.

For this reason, you shouldn’t ever fire an employee alone. Bring a security guard, a human resources representative, or someone else to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Lay Out the Next Steps an Employee Must Take

You probably won’t fire an employee and let them return to work for the remainder of the day. Instead, you will most likely tell them they’re being terminated and ask them to leave your office immediately.

Before you do, run through each step you need them to take. Examples include:

• Turning in company-owned computers and other equipment

• Picking up a severance package that provides information on health insurance and other benefits

• Walking out of your building with a security guard

Devise simple steps for employees to avoid confusion during their final moments with your company.

Plan for the Immediate Future Before Firing an Employee

While you’re learning how to fire an employee, be sure to keep one eye on the future. Once you terminate them, you will need to replace this employee with a new one in most cases.

45 Solutions can provide your company with recruiting solutions and talent acquisition strategies. Call us at (215) 828-1404 for help.