Communicating the Termination
Once the decision has been finalized and the planning and logistics have been completed, you should be at the point in the process when the employee needs to be informed that he or she is being terminated. This chapter presents guidelines for conducting the termination meeting. Remember, how you treat the employee during this meeting will have a significant impact on how he or she reacts to this unwelcome news and accepts what is about to happen.
Getting fired is not pleasant. Be prepared for any number of reactions from the employee. It is likely to be a significant emotional event for this person. Expect any range of emotions during the termination meeting and do not become too emotional about the situation. Listen to what the employee wants to express to you at this time, but don’t become overly sympathetic about the employee’s situation; you may say or do things that are not helpful to the situation.