A large manufacturing company had to let one of their long term employees go – this could have been for cause, yet the company decided to do this with no cause attached. As this company has rarely let anyone go it was not used to doing this. It could have been handled better!
When you are the manager or the supervisor and you need to let someone go it is always difficult. That’s why you are in the role you are in. If it was easy I can tell you, you would not be in a supervisory role. Here are five things to never do when you are letting someone go.
1- DON’T FEEL GUILTY – As my sister says, guilt is a useless emotion! Remember, empathy is good because this is a business decision. If you are experiencing guilt the opportunity to say the wrong things or be emotional is very easy to occur. Don’t go there!
2- DON’T SAY THINGS LIKE “IT’S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD” – Without practicing the exact phrases you will use you may say things you later regret such as:
“You’ll be better off …”
“You’ll thank me for this…”
“It’s for your own good …”
And yes, if you are wondering, I have heard each of these and many, many more!
3- DON’T LEAVE TIME FOR DISCUSSION – It can only cause problems. Get in, deliver your pre-practised message of 5 minutes or less, introduce the Transition Coach and then shake hands with the individual and leave the room.
4- DON’T SUGARCOAT THE MESSAGE – Be honest, and yet kind. Often managers do not want to add to the terrible situation the outplaced person is going to go through and so they sugar coat the situation. Instead, treat this individual you are letting go with the dignity and respect every human being deserves. Yes, even if it is someone you know has done a disservice to the organization. And part of this is at the other end of the spectrum – don’t get theatrical! This is not a Hollywood movie – there is no need to pull out all the stops and be dramatic; simply be authentic.
5- DON’T BE LATE – You know you will be doing this and your nerves will be frayed. Don’t make it worse by being caught up in traffic or on a phone call so your individual is left sitting in an empty room waiting for you.
Recently an organization was downsizing where many of its employees car pooled. On the day one individual was let go the taxi to take this individual home (in a rural area) was over an hour late. And this was after a phone call the night before to remind the taxi company of the urgency of being on time, a morning call and a call just before going into the outplacement. Bad – a suggestion learned from this experience – always have a back- up plan to get the employee home!
When companies let people go with the above negatives people leave even more distraught and angry than is necessary. The anger hinders the individuals possible development and ability to move forward quickly to a new role. When organizations let people go with a well-organized and practiced plan people are still upset, yet able to move forward more quickly. Do it well and you will be able to sleep at night!