Firing Employees FAQ

Questions:

• Can I fire an employee for any reason?
• Do I have to give a fired employee a severance package?
• What do I tell prospective employers who call me for a reference for an employee whom I fired?
• Should we contest a fired employee's claim for unemployment?
• How should I tell an employee, "you're fired"?
• Should we ask a lawyer to review all termination decisions?
• What are the practical items we need to take care of when an employee leaves the company?
• Can I fire an employee for making a false complaint about our company's billing practices to a government agency?

Answer:

How should I tell an employee, "you're fired"?

This is one of the toughest jobs managers face. Usually, it's best to be very clear with an employee. Don't use euphemisms or beat around the bush: To avoid confusion, state clearly that the employee's job is being terminated. Once you've broken the news, give a brief explanation of your reasons. Don't go into detail or feel you have to justify the decision. For example, if you are firing an employee for ongoing performance problems, you can simply say, "As we've discussed before, your performance has not been up to the standards we require." For more information on how to plan a termination meeting and how to break the news, see Nolo's article What to Say When You Fire an Employee.