(Collaborative post) I remember years ago having to fire staff. It’s really not a pleasant thing to have to do yet unfortunately in some circumstances it is necessary. Firing an employee is a big decision and should never be rushed without a valid reason. In some cases, it’s the right decision, and doing so will have a positive effect on your business. However, if you jump the gun, you might be losing a valuable employee that just needs a bit of time to adjust to the business. Unfairly dismissing an employee can lead to serious legal issues. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have thought the decision through well. But, how do you go about deciding whether to fire an employee?
Deciding Whether To Fire An Employee
Do You Have Legal Grounds for Dismissal?
Before you even consider firing an employee, you must make sure that you have legal grounds to dismiss them. You can’t just fire someone because you don’t like them. You need to be able to prove that you have a good reason to dismiss them. If the employee doesn’t perform to a satisfactory level, you can fire them after they have been given further training and adequate time to improve. This must be documented and is often written into disciplinary letters.
Employees that have knowingly broken laws can also be dismissed. But, if the proper procedures are not followed by the employer they may take legal action against and challenge the decision. In this case, you need to consult with employment tribunal services. They will be able to provide advice. It makes sense to ensure you have legal grounds to dismiss an employee before doing so.
Are they Affecting Clients or Other Staff
Sometimes, an employee may not be performing to the standards that you would like them to. Or, they could just be very difficult to work with and drive away customers and affect other employees ability to work. If you want your business to have a competitive edge, you need the best people working for you. Employees that are actively damaging a business should be considered for dismissal if behaviour doesn’t improve after they’ve been warned.
Bad Attitude / Rule Breaking
Some people simply want to be paid to do very little or nothing at all. It’s best to try to filter these types out before they’re even hired as it can take time to remove them. If you have an employee that simply doesn’t care about the way they treat customers, or other employees, it’s best to make it very clear early on their behaviour needs to change. If they start breaking rules and causing issues then it’s time to start preparations and give them a first warning. Bad behaviour or attitude should be identified and addressed as early as possible.
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Sexual Harassment/ Discrimination/ Bullying/ Drug Taking/ Theft
The types that will do any of these are not the sort that you want working for your business. Firstly, it has a negative effect on staff – their welfare should be at the top of your list. They will also affect your quality of customer service either directly or through the effect they have on other staff. As each situation is different so it helps to seek advice but you will more than likely have valid cause for dismissal.
Is the Issue Their Fault?
Before you fire an employee, you need to make sure that you have given them a chance to improve. If they are an introverted person and their attitude is affecting the business, then you can consider getting them some training or support. Similarly, if they aren’t doing well for any reason that isn’t their fault, such as technical issues with the job description – then you might want to give them more time. Sometimes the problem is not with the employee themselves, it is with the way that they have been trained and supported in their role.
If you have legal grounds to fire somebody and you cannot find any other way to improve the situation, it is the right choice. Deciding Whether To Fire An Employee can be a hard decision in some cases and in others easy.
I’d love to hear what you think on this subject. Please do leave your comments below.
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I bet this can be tricky. I don’t own a business so I don’t know what it’s like! Awkward, I’m sure.
It isn’t the easiest thing at first but with practise you get used to it.
I literally hate firing people. This is a great post on how to evaluate if it’s time!
Thanks so much. It’s not fun to do but sometimes there is no other option.
In my state you don’t need a reason to fire someone. So, my husband has lost jobs for minor things.
I’m so sorry to hear that Tara. I hope he finds a new one soon.
I have had to fire people and it is not fun, even when it is deserved. There are ripple effects you will not be aware of.
It really can be hard but then there is always a good reason behind it.
This is a really great article to read, a lot of people would learn a lot from this. Thank you so much for sharing this to us.
Thanks Richelle. I managed a business for years. It came with the territory.
I’m a freelancer, which comes with it’s own stressors, but firing/being fired is a position I’m glad I’ll never find myself in.
I don’t blame you. I’m glad I no longer need to worry about firing people.
Luckily this is something I have never had to do, when I was younger I do not think I would have been confident enough to do it as would feel for them. Now I am older I think I would be able to if I had too as much more confident
Once we have a bit more life experience and confidence it becomes easier.
I think firing people can be really difficult. It’s not something I have experience with personally, but I have been fired when I shouldn’t have been, so it can be a tricky one. You have to make sure you have grounds for dismissing someone or you can get sued.
These days you need to cover all your bases to be safe.
I very much believe that there should be room for leniency, I also believe certain actions deserve no leniency. Theft, sexual harassment or harassment of any kind would definitely fall into no leniency, however late arrival would/could fall under leniency dependent on how often and circumstances. Always more than just fired or not fired..
I agree, I only ever fired people as a last resort but some issues need automatic removal of the person.
Never a fun time for this at all. To be on the receiving end I or to have to be the one to do it. If it is justified or they did something bad…. It makes it easier.
It sure does. I’ve had to fire people for stealing a few times. Not fun but necessary.
This is a really hard decision to make, thanks for sharing these tips.
It really can be. It gets easier the more you do it.
This situation is not easy for both parts. I think that an employee needs to be happy when working and doing his/her work with love.
I agree although hopefully, most don’t fire a member of staff unless it’s necessary.
Giving them a chance to improve before firing them is a great tip. My Dad ran a construction company and he always done that.
It is important. Sometimes it’s just inexperience. If there is an issue with the staff member then this allows you to to see it more clearly.
Gosh, its such a difficult decision when thinking about firing someone. Definitely need to take into account what they have done and how it impacts others
Of course, the issue needs to be serious enough for them to need firing. illy things can be over looked a few times before further action is required.
This is a good checklist to note before firing your employee
Thanks Sol. I’m glad you found it interesting.
I have not been in this position but have seen it done – for good reasons as it happens.
It must have been difficult. I hate firing people but sometimes it is necessary.
Yes it is not that easy to fire people. Still we need to do it. when it become ultra necessity.
We sure do. It can affect a business negatively when there are incompetent staff.
I have never been in this position and I imagine it must be very difficult. These are great points to think on should I ever have to make the decision.
We do need to think things through. I’ve seen some bosses jump the gun and fire people. Often people that are arrogant and have more money than sense.
I would really hate to have to fire people. Fortunately I will never have to but I have been part of whether someone should be fired or not and that wasnt fun.
I can imagine. It is hard enough to get a job these day aside from then worrying about keeping it.
I have the benefit of an HR Department to assist
That really can help. I wish we had one as I didn’t enjoy firing people.
Interesting read – not something anyone wants to do but also need to think of others in the team!
Yes, very true. Where they affect others it can become important to remove the individual.
I really don’t think I could do it as it could have such a catastrophic impact on their life and I wouldn’t be able to keep a business head on
Firing staff isn’t fun. You do find it gets easier with practice.
Never an easy decision, really difficult as normally not everyone is going to agree with the reason behind it.
That can be the case although in most cases the person being fired should have done enough to warrant it.
You are absolutely right that bad behaviour or attitude should be identified and addressed as early as possible. If you overlook it initially in the hope or expectation that things will improve on their own there likelihood is that it just sets a trend for future behavour
Which can have a knock on effect on other staff.
This is really tricky, while I haven’t had to actually fire an employee, I’ve found taking disciplinary action against an employee really tough
It’s not fun. It can take a while depending on the situation.
I think you have to do something pretty bad to be fired. We have people that are just lazy and never change.
You get all sorts. I’ve caught staff stealing a number of times.
It’s a very difficult situation to be in but underperforming or rule breaking can’t be ignored and is best discussed immediately to get to root cause if possible and open up discussions on options going forward
Yes, giving them the opportunity to see the incorrect behaviour highlighted and where improvements can be made is important. Then it’s up to them if they want to try to keep their job.
I found this the hardest thing to do in my old job
I am not surprised, most do. It isn’t a pleasant part of a job role.
I imagine this is a really awkward decision to make and I admire anyone who can 🙂
It’s not easy to do but sometimes completely necessary.