Terminations

Even with top notch hiring processes, terminations are unavoidable. Any good manager hates terminating employees. They realize they aren’t just an employee; they are a person who depends on the income and often has others depending on it as well.

Although terminations can occur from downsizing, most occur when there is a problem. When it’s a problem, first evaluate the source of the problem. In other words, is it a process or a people problem? Obviously, if it’s a process problem, correct the process first and that will generally correct the people problems.

However, if it is a people problem, begin by analyzing your contribution to the problem. Have you given the employee sufficient training and tools for success? It’s always cheaper to keep an employee and train them, than to go through the hiring process again.

In some cases, the employee skills, personality traits, or even the economic conditions simply don’t align, and you must make the tough choice to terminate. In that situation, demonstrate compassion, but also do it quickly. Keeping an unsuccessful employee on board is a problem for you and the rest of your team. Furthermore, it’s not good for the employee. They too would be better off in a job where they were happy and successful.

Excerpt from The Extraordinary Business by Mike Hill