10 Things Not to Say When Firing an Employee

Kane52630

Jingle Bells Batman Smells
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
120,800
Reaction score
57,887
Points
218
i though this was pretty interesting
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-wor...ing-an-employee?mod=career-salary_negotiation

The Top 10 Comments to Avoid Uttering

Here are 10 things you should never say when terminating an employee:

While these comments may not be evidence of an illegal motive, they may produce anger that results in the employee's visiting a lawyer to determine whether a viable claim exists.

1."This was a job elimination and had nothing to do with your performance." Do not say this when a discharge had everything to do with an employee's performance. Your desire to protect an employee's feelings -- or your own -- can later be used as evidence of pretext if the employee brings a discrimination claim.

2. "We have carried you for many years. It's just not possible to continue to do so during these difficult times." Don't trash the past. It is not only insulting to the employee, but it may be inconsistent with the employee's prior evaluations. Remember, pretext alone wins cases.

3. "We have no choice but to terminate your employment." There are always other options. Why not tolerate mediocrity a little longer? Termination need not be the only viable option, so don't suggest that it is.

4. "You have no one to blame but yourself. You just did not try hard enough." Hold employees accountable, but don't impugn their integrity. When employees feel personally attacked, they fight back.

5."This is just as hard for me as it is for you." There are few absolutes, but it is absolutely true that it always harder to be fired than to fire. Don't ask an employee who is looking at unemployment to feel your pain.

6. "This is not the right job for you. When you get the right job, you will thank me." That may make you feel good, but it will make the discharged employee bristle. The "thank you" may come in the form of a complaint.

7. "I am sorry, but you are fired." You may mean: "I am sorry we have come to this situation." The employee may hear that you think you are wrong. It's not a good time to have a conversation about the meaning of "I am sorry." Avoid apologies, even though you may genuinely feel badly.

8. "I know how you feel." Unless you have been fired recently, you don't know how the person feels. If you have been fired recently, now is not the time to share that experience.

9. "You will always be a part of the corporate family." Trust me. This will make the fired employee think: "Oh, good. Will I still get the newsletter after I sue you?"

10 "Pardon the e-mail, but you are fired." This may not be unlawful, but it's gutless. And it invites the angry employee to go for your gut.
 
I thought this might be a funny Cracked article or something, but instead it's just about a bunch of whiney people who sue when things don't go their way.

(Not knocking the OP for posting, rather the article itself)
 
Actually, it's about protecting yourself from said people.
 
Hmmm, so how SHOULD one fire an employee, I wonder?
 
Well it shouldn't be hard to fire someone, the article is pretty makes it grimy.

Being fired: We have to fire you because you (insert reason)

Being laid-off: I'm sorry but (insert reason for being laid-off)
 
Best way to fire someone: "Hey, you want to have a seven day weekend? Every week?" :awesome:
 
Hmmm, so how SHOULD one fire an employee, I wonder?
I'm afraid we have to let you go. But... there is good news.




I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico. :awesome:
 
Last edited:
We're sorry to let you go, but as a severance package you will receive this new Maserati, with a genuine leather interior.
 
I'm afraid we have to let you go. But... there is good news.




I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico. :awesome:

:hehe::hehe:

We just had a meeting about this where I work the other day. I'm on the management staff at my job, and believe it or not, there are certain phrases and key works we are not allowed to say when firing an employee. We can't even fire someone, actually. We have to contact our district manager who then tells us *exactly* what to say and write on our paperwork, in case of legal issues. I remember the good ole' days when you could pull a Donald Trump on employees.....'you're fired!'
 
I don't think there is a right way to fire someone. I've only had to do it a couple times, and both times it sucked incredibly.

Note to people being fired, if your being let go because of physically threatening, sexually harassing another employee, or drug/alcohol use and consumption on the clock... don't mention your Wife and/or Kid in some effort to gain pity. It's just going to pi$$ off the people behind the desk even more. Don't underline how much of a tool you are because you didn't think of them before you totally screwed yourself up.
 
Hmmm, so how SHOULD one fire an employee, I wonder?

How about like they did to this one guy at my firm: they deprogrammed his door entry code so he couldn't swipe his card and get in. His manager (with whom he had a volatile relationship) just waved at him through the glass.

That was terrible. Unprofessional. And so bogue. :whatever:
 
I good company should already have some sort of procedural manual in regards to firing an Employee. I know with the company I work for even if you're firing someone due to gross negligence there's a way you have to go about it in order to best make sure they don't have a leg to stand on in court in case they try and sue.
 
How about this one? "Oh, by the way; your doctor got in contact with us, you've got cancer".
 
Didn't you get the memo?

I've heard a few funny stories in which the person who's told he/she has been fired keeps showing up for work.
 
Didn't you get the memo?

I've heard a few funny stories in which the person who's told he/she has been fired keeps showing up for work.

like in Office Space? :awesome::hehe:
 
Didn't you get the memo?

I've heard a few funny stories in which the person who's told he/she has been fired keeps showing up for work.

Like in Seinfeld when Kramer was working at an Office & he was never hired to begin with. He just showed up & someone thought he was an employee & said something like "Hey lets go the meeting is starting" then Kramer started working there lol & then when the boss eventually fired Kramer

"But I don't even really work here"

"That is whats making this so difficult"
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top
monitoring_string = "afb8e5d7348ab9e99f73cba908f10802"