I’m letting go of an employee this week, and it’s making me feel terrible. I’m wracked with guilty and full of empathy.
I’m still letting them go, but any advise on how to not feel so emotionally guilty for firing someone?
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I have to fire someone, similar to your situation. My attorney advised that I send her an email and end all contact.
You don’t. It’s not supposed to feel good. All you can say is you’re freeing them up to find something that’s a better fit and you’re opening an opportunity for someone else. It still doesn’t feel good.
Many years ago I hired my brother and left him at my warehouse with 4 employees while I went to see customers. When I got back they all came up to my car at the same time and threatened to quit if I kept him there
I would never fire an employee “out of the blue” unless it was for something dangerous or criminal. But not because I didn’t think they fit in or caused tension. If that’s the situation they deserve to be brought in and explained to what they are doing is wrong. You may have to do it twice. But if they don’t make an effort to improve then you can fire them and refer back to the warnings they were given. That’s the fair way to do it and you’ll have no regrets. But to yank the rug out from under someone who doesn’t have a clue is wrong wrong wrong.
You say they may not see it coming? Have you written them up a few times? Discussed the issue and ways they can fix it? I am not a lawyer, but I have been involved in two unemployment investigations. You better have all of your documentation together or your going to eat an unemployment claim.
I’m in an at will state where you need to be employed for 140 days to qualify for unemployment. They’re on day like 85
And the reason I haven’t spoken to them is because they violated a boundary with an employee - and when I’m not working w this said employee they don’t do anything really out of line. But with other employees, they’re bossing them around, making drinks wrong and arguing with customers
And this was all brought to my attention last week…
So I debated talking to them about it but this isn’t a conversation correction. This is a personality issue.
This said employee, took another employees phone and texted me as the other employee. It was so out of line and strange. And in that regard, that is fireable in itself. That’s not something you cannot correct: teach.
It’s almost impossible.
Even a team member I really struggled with - still felt bad. Even when I was threatened after firing her. 😞