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Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. - Career - Nairaland

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Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by swtchicgurl: 1:31pm On Sep 06, 2013
For a boss, letting an employee go can be a stressful and even painful experience. Possibly that’s why making the firing process as easy as possible—for the person doing the firing—is something of a cottage industry.

That’s too bad, because while terminating an employee is definitely hard for you, getting fired is way harder for the employee.

So forget about your feelings. Whenever you have to fire an employee, clearly you must protect your business from any legal ramifications. After that, your only goal is to treat the employee as compassionately and respectfully as possible.

Your feelings are irrelevant.

Which is why you should never say any of the following:

1. “This is really hard for me.”

Who cares if it’s hard for you? The employee certainly doesn’t. Any time you talk about how difficult the situation is for you the employee thinks, “Oh yeah? What about me? How hard do you think this is on me?” If you feel bad—and you will—talk through your feelings later with someone else.

And also never lead off by saying, “I’m not sure how to say this…” You’re sure what to say. You’re just uncomfortable saying it.

Never even hint that the employee should somehow feel your pain; that’s just selfish.


2. “We’ve decided we need to make a change.”


You’re not an NFL team firing an unsuccessful coach. And you’re not holding a press conference either. So skip the platitudes. If you’ve done your job right the employee already knows why he’s being fired.

State the reason for your action as clearly and concisely as possible. Or just say, “John, I have to let you go.”


3. “We’ll work out some of the details later.”


For the employee, getting fired is both the end and the start of another process: Collecting personal items, returning company property, learning about benefits status, etc.

It’s your job to know how all that works—ahead of time. Getting fired is bad enough; sitting in limbo while you figure out the next steps is humiliating for an employee who wants nothing more than to leave. Never make an employee wait to meet with others who are part of the process. Once you let them go, the employee is on their time, not yours.


4. “Compared to Joe, you just aren’t cutting it.”

Never compare the fired employee to someone else as justification. Employees should be fired because they fail to meet standards, targets, or behavioral expectations.

Plus, drawing comparisons between employees makes it possible for what should be an objective decision to veer into the “personality zone.” That’s a conversational black hole you will struggle to escape.


5. “I disagree, and here’s why…”

Most employees sit quietly, but a few will want to argue. Never let yourself be dragged into a back-and-forth discussion. Just say, “Mark, we can talk about this as long as you like, but you should understand that nothing we discuss will change the decision.” Arguments almost always make the employee feel worse.

Be professional, be empathetic, and stick to the facts. Don’t feel the need to respond if an employee starts to vent.

Just listen—that’s the least you can do. And the most you can do.

to be continued....

4 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by swtchicgurl: 1:38pm On Sep 06, 2013
6. “You’ve been a solid employee but we simply have to cut staffing.”

If you truly are downsizing, leave performance out and just say so.

But if you’re not actually downsizing, and you’re hiding behind that excuse so the conversation is easier for you, then you do the employee a disservice—and you open your business up to potential problems, especially if you later hire someone to fill the open slot.

Never play games to try to protect the employee’s feelings—or, worse, to protect your own. Just be straightforward.


7. “We both know you aren’t happy here, so down the road you’ll be glad this happened.”

Whether or not the employee will someday be glad you let them go is not for you to judge. Employees can’t find a silver lining in the fired cloud, at least not at first. Let them find their own glimmers of possibility.


8. “I need to walk you to the door.”

I worked for a company where the policy was to immediately escort terminated employees out of the building.

An employee you fire is not a criminal. Don’t put them through a walk of shame. Just set simple parameters. Say, “John, go ahead and gather up your personal belongings and I’ll meet you back here in 10 minutes.”

If John doesn’t come back, go get him. He won’t argue.


9. “We have decided to let you go.”

The word “we” is appropriate in almost every setting, but not this one.

Say, “I.” At this moment, you are the company (even if, in fact, you’re just an employee.) Take responsibility.


10. “If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

Like what? Write a glowing letter of recommendation? Call your connections and put in a good word for him? (Of course, if you are laying off good employees due to lack of work you should do anything you can to help them land on their feet.)

Absolutely say, “If you have any questions about benefits, final paychecks, or other details, call me. I’ll make sure you get the answers you need.” But never offer to do things you can’t do. You might feel a little better after trying to seem generous, but the employee won’t.
http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-10-worst-things-to-say-when-you-fire-an-employee.html

Remember, when you fire an employee it’s all about the employee, not about you—and especially not about what makes you feel better. undecided

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Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by benjichuks(m): 1:50pm On Sep 06, 2013
Hallelujah! God has answered my prayers. It wasn't easy at all to be the FTC today the 6th day of September 2013. And also on front page gon gon.
I want to thank God first and foremost for mmaking it possible,
my SIII for beating all the tecno's Gionee's and BB's dt competed with it.
The Mod, superMod for not banning me as per FTC things.
To all the peeps aspiring to be in my position, keep praying, God go do am for u as Im do am for me Amen. Keep trying.

Back to the matter, Thee OP talk true

5 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by swtchicgurl: 3:53pm On Sep 06, 2013
benjichuks: True talk

thanks..i couldn't agree more when i saw the article. spot on!

numbers 1 and 10 especially...is very annoying! angry

i've heard one of them before cry sad sad

1 Like

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by devigblegble: 5:54pm On Sep 06, 2013
Ope fun oluwa I'm my own Boss, no need to be fired

1 Like

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 5:55pm On Sep 06, 2013
That No 1 is soo annoying
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Esolver1(m): 5:55pm On Sep 06, 2013
I don't ever care what they said. all i know is that "They have lose me and my unique services" not the other round.

1 Like

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Hardeywerlay(m): 6:01pm On Sep 06, 2013
Nice one there @OP

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Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:08pm On Sep 06, 2013
I have had cause to fire three people, here is how they happened

First, a personal driver that bashed my car in three consecutive days within one week of employment: Mukaila, bring the key and go home. Just go home. See me in the evening for your salary. I'm tired. (right inside traffic on Ajah-VI road )

Second, another driver that didn't show up at work: (By text) I don't want to see you again; just come and collect the salary for teh 9 days you worked. Don't bother coming again.

Third, the project supervisor for a project I am part of (and the project manager): KB, we cannot continue with this contract. We have exhausted our budget for supervision. Please hand over the equipment to me by weekend. Thanks.

5 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Orikinla(m): 6:09pm On Sep 06, 2013
I recommend you should read "It's OK To Have A Bad Boss" by the celebrity banker and motivational speaker Darlington Onyeagoro. It will help employees to know how to handle every boss at work.
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Orikinla(m): 6:12pm On Sep 06, 2013
E-solver:
I don't ever care what they said. all i know is that "They have lost me and my unique services" not the other round.
. I corrected your bad English.
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by poppop: 6:17pm On Sep 06, 2013
Yeah number ten is so true my NYSC boss after giving me hope that i would be retained had that line for me shortly before the company let me go. LOL
heard he got fired himself a short while ago. oh well undecided
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Gudintent: 6:20pm On Sep 06, 2013
E-solver:
I don't ever care what they said. all i know is that "They have lost me and my unique services" not the other round.


Orikinla: . I corrected your bad English.

Hmm did you really? You might want to revisit the correction cool

2 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by thrugemaster(m): 6:22pm On Sep 06, 2013
be your own boss...... Your own oga at the top.... That is all
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by sushieater: 6:23pm On Sep 06, 2013
You're fired! - Donald Trump

3 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by swtchicgurl: 6:28pm On Sep 06, 2013
Jarus: I have had cause to fire three people, here is how they happened

First, a personal driver that bashed my car in three consecutive days within one week of employment: Mukaila, bring the key and go home. Just go home. See me in the evening for your salary. I'm tired. (right inside traffic on Ajah-VI road )

Second, another driver that didn't show up at work: (By text) I don't want to see you again; just come and collect the salary for teh 9 days you worked. Don't bother coming again.

Third, the project supervisor for a project I am part of (and the project manager): KB, we cannot continue with this contract. We have exhausted our budget for supervision. Please hand over the equipment to me by weekend. Thanks.

lolz! grin

isn't the third one a professional lie? tongue
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:30pm On Sep 06, 2013
I guess those lines are for Naija. I hate firing an employee. Most of the times all I have to say is " ma'am, sir, buddy" I'm sorry I am terminating your assignment with the company. Not until the day I fired 1 Mexican and Cameroonian lol. Since then I dey divert the firing thing to my younger bro.

But seriously it's a sad moment though not all of them.
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by swtchicgurl: 6:30pm On Sep 06, 2013
Hardeywerlay: Nice one there @OP

thanks! smiley
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:35pm On Sep 06, 2013
sushieater: You're fired! - Donald Trump
Loolz. No time wasting
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:44pm On Sep 06, 2013
I know of a Boss who's scared of hurting his employees' feelings, he wouldn't drop a sack letter or announce it verbally to u...

He would travel out of town and text this trash to ur cellphone ''You've been sacked, i hope u do find a place in ur heart to forgive me''
grin

5 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by bilo1(m): 6:50pm On Sep 06, 2013
Quite right
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by rezzy: 6:55pm On Sep 06, 2013
When my proprietress said the school is not growing, i need to change my teachers,, i pray God gives you all a better place, i said Amen. I was happy because she helped me, initially i wanted to leave but was scared. Now i got a better job double dat ponkious salary she was paying me.

Sometimes, we just have to take every thing in good faith.

2 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:55pm On Sep 06, 2013
Funny cheesy my ex boss once told me: Emmanuel! I'd be travelling out of the country today and we are having issues with the keys to the offices...

Therefore, don't come to the office until I return... Childish huh!

There and then, I knew what he meant, I went straight to the office and packed my personal belongings, reminded him of salary for the month and happily zoomed off the premise.

The girl he was cheating on his wife with mistakenly admired me, and since thence until the day he fired me, it was third world war in silence between me and him.

He will do anything just to humiliate me in the presence of the said aristo girl and any other lady.

It's good to be ur own boss... cheesy

2 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 6:55pm On Sep 06, 2013
this is a simple and straight forward one "you are fired".
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 7:10pm On Sep 06, 2013
REALITY101: I guess those lines are for Naija. I hate firing an employee. Most of the times all I have to say is " ma'am, sir, buddy" I'm sorry I am terminating your assignment with the company. Not until the day I fired 1 Mexican and Cameroonian lol. Since then I dey divert the firing thing to my younger bro.

But seriously it's a sad moment though not all of them.

It can be tough. Especially when you remember you are throwing one more person (and his/her dependants) into labour market again. As another man's employee myself, I sometimes myself into that position.
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Nobody: 7:11pm On Sep 06, 2013
El Guapo: I know of a Boss who's scared of hurting his employees' feelings, he wouldn't drop a sack letter or announce it verbally to u...

He would travel out of town and text this trash to ur cellphone ''You've been sacked, i hope u do find a place in ur heart to forgive me''
grin

It can be very tough I tell you.
Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Abyjah: 7:33pm On Sep 06, 2013
It's easy to fire employees. Just practice more often.
Fire three of your workers every week and re-employ them so that you'll study their reactions and know the ones to wear body armor and helmet while firing.

3 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by Chuksemi(m): 7:49pm On Sep 06, 2013
WELL BEING FIRED MAYBE PAINFULL BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN SACKED BEFORE. I ONLY KNOW THAT ITS PAINFUL WHEN YOU SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, ATTEND THE INTERVIEW AND AT THE END, YOU'RE PRAISED BY THE INTERVIEWERS AND PROMISED THE JOB. YOU GO HOME HAPPY AND YOU KEEP EXPECTING THERE MAIL, CALL OR TEXT. BUT YOU DONT GET ANY, YOU CHECK BACK A WEEK LATER AND ANOTHER DUDE HAS BEEN GIVEN JOB. IT REALLY PAINS.

1 Like

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by ProfGday(m): 7:51pm On Sep 06, 2013
Better way to say it is
1.Hold ur double-barrel revolver by ur side and say
2. You are Fired.
The employee will take it in good faith.

5 Likes

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by unite4real: 7:56pm On Sep 06, 2013
[size=18pt]If u want to shoot, shoot dont talk[/size]

1 Like

Re: Things Bosses Say When They Fire People. by ndiyeauwa: 8:12pm On Sep 06, 2013
devigblegble: Ope fun oluwa I'm my own Boss, no need to be fired

#Teamselfemployedrocks!!!

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