Laying off or Firing with respect

Filed in archive Human Resources on June 27, 2008

While you never want to be in the position to let someone go it is going to happen whether because they did not fit in properly or you no longer need their skills.

© OctopusHat

So how do you dismiss someone?

We have all heard the horror stories lately of companies that laid off people with no taste such as Radio Shack by sending out the email. I just read a story to day about a guy who was told he was laid off by cell phone on the way to work while he was on the bus. The worst situation I experienced was when I was working in Charlotte, North Carolina. The manger of the company was made employees not getting laid off tell the ones who were.

Obviously this will lead to nothing but resentment of the employer.

Wil Schroter's blog has a few ideas to do it the right way.

First of all you want to leave the door open for the person to return. Now even if you have to fire someone because it isn't working out at the present time, people change and so do their skill sets. In 5 years that person could be a totally different person who will just fit into the position perfectly.

Also if your laying someone off you might need their skills in the future so be sure not to burn a bridge between you and someone who could be of great help in the future.

Second, send people off with dignity. It is clear from the situations I mentioned above that the people were not sent off with dignity. Not only do you want to show respect to a fellow human being you do not want your other employees to loose moral.

Letting go is a hard things, but by doing everything in your power to do thinks right will be good for you, the person, and the company as a whole.