Let’s face it, ending the employment relationship is never a walk in the park. It can be a tough process filled with emotions, fear of conflicts, and the risk of damaging relationships. It really does feel like walking on eggshells, or maybe over hot coals. But, if you handle it with care and thoughtfulness, it doesn’t have to end in breaks, bruises or burns.
First things first, take care of yourself.
Wait a minute – that sounds pretty selfish. What I mean is that as managers we have two things to do. The obvious one is to implement the decision based on a business rationale. The much less obvious one is to take care of our own emotional response to the business rationale.
I think it’s really important to take the time and give yourself the space to walk through the whole business decision. Ponder questions like “How did you get here?; What are the alternatives?; What policies or procedures worked?; What didn’t?; Are there any assumptions of things you’re taking for granted?”. Conduct that thought experiment that takes you to “what if I had…” and “how would the world be different if…”.
My experience has been that while the decision is clear, the thought process may be a bit murky or quick. Not wrong, just hasty. This matters because you want to make sure you’re well-prepared.
This is the time to focus on things like the selection process, employee training, documentation, policies.
It can be really dry, but this is part of the Responsibility (with a capital R) of management.
We see a lot of owners, executives and managers who bring all the feels to the conversation. Right place, right time, no problem. The last conversation you’re having with a soon-to-be former employee is not it.
Figure out how to get through those feelings (disappointment, anger, betrayal, even a smug sense of victory) somewhere else. Your Affogato HR Management Consultant can help, or maybe you just want to talk to yourself while you’re driving. Whatever works, do it. I think it’s really important to make that conversation as professional and neutral as possible.
Jonna, Lisha, Suzanne, Lisa, Karen and Linda