Best way to fire someone? Plz help!!

**livewire57** · 03-19-2006, 03:29 PM

I recently landed a job as Operations Manager at a pretty large company (not sure how I got the job, just graduated college in January, lucky I guess) Part of my job description is the hiring and firing of employees directly under me. The problem is, this is the first time I have had any real responsiblity in my life, and I am almost positive I have to fire two or three people and I am not sure how to go about it. The last time I had to do this was like four years ago when I was a manager at a movie theater, but that was different because those people were 14 and 15 year old kids, but these people have families and houses and I am basically ending their career. The fact that I am only 24 and one of the people in question has been there since before I was born doesn't help much.

BG · 03-19-2006, 03:39 PM

Tell them Donald Trump just called and left you a message, YOUR FIRED!

**Kärnfysikern** · 03-19-2006, 03:57 PM

I think most would appriciate you just going straight to it. Lay it on them without any mumbojumbo and tell them straight out the reason for them beeing fired.

**NotSmall** · 03-19-2006, 04:01 PM

Be honest, explain why.

**AnabolicBoy1981** · 03-19-2006, 04:02 PM

how the heck is someone my age having this kind of power?

.....oh....right.....you went to school.....damn!

***D7M*** · 03-19-2006, 04:13 PM

fvk, I went to school for like 8 yrs (ba, and two ma's) and still work a shtty job.

anyway, just tell them. It's more about non-verbal behavior than anything. In other words, don't come off haughty, cocky.

**soccer#3** · 03-19-2006, 04:15 PM

Or u can do it the chicken way.. through e-mail

**loki_is_a_god** · 03-19-2006, 04:19 PM

i would be straight up ....tell them why they are getting fired...

**Lavinco** · 03-19-2006, 04:52 PM

Always do it on a friday or payday. When you fire someone on a Monday, you are asking for more trouble. People have better attitudes on Fridays.

Only fire during the week if you have to fire someone "on the spot" for some major reason.

**Smak** · 03-19-2006, 05:33 PM

Nowadays people are crazy enough that if they are fired, there's a chance they could come back and get revenge in a not so friendly manner.

Gotta be careful nowadays with this issue. Like you said some workers been there 10, 15 years and have families and some young punk comes in with a college degree and fires them, it's never going to be pretty.

My advice to you is to do what you have to do and don't worry about what other people think. Obviously someone thought you had what it takes to take on the job so I wouldn't sweat it man. Get rid of the slackers and excess baggage and do what you believe is in the best interest of the company.

Our Operations Manager at my company is 52 years old, hehe. He's been there forever. It's a big time position. That's pretty amazing you were able to land that position at such a young age. More power to you.

**firmechicano831** · 03-19-2006, 06:51 PM

Like everyone said, Just be honest and say that this doesn't come from you. You are just doing youre job and that hopefully better things will come to them from this insident. Then offer them a shot of tequila?

**Prada** · 03-19-2006, 08:40 PM

Well when firing someone is not just because he is incompetent. It is actually the HR dept that hired him after all because they deemed him fit and incompetent. You must fire one when all else has failed, as a last resort. When and If I were to fire someone, its because I TOO have failed, as a leader. That is what management and leadership is all about

**livewire57** · 03-19-2006, 08:45 PM

I wish there was another way around it but some of these people need to go. The last OM ran the entire company ass backwards, most of the employees are dead weight and it would be better for the company if they left, and it would make my job easier as well. My rationalization is although they have tenure, house payments, families, etc, these responsibilities should have been motivation for them to take their work seriously. I mean, 3 hr lunch breaks, absenteeism, using internet access for personal use, this makes ME look bad. I should do what the Bobs did in Office Space, and just tell payroll to stop sending them paychecks.

**Prada** · 03-19-2006, 08:58 PM

Well a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. If they were literally abusing the system, by the looks of what you are telling us, then they deserve what they get. They should know better because to the contrary to what I previously said they are a burden making you look bad and insolent, IMO. The thing is that THEY should rationlize, I mean if you've got responsibilities in life and you take your work tolerance for granted, well then face the consequences. Good riddance.

**Pooks** · 03-19-2006, 09:40 PM

Sounds like u'll be the next Jack Welch.

I hope u have already talked to the people in question, and told them your concerns, or its gonna come across as them being fired for nothing.

U have to understand what it looks like to other employees...
so u're better of giving warning 1.. warning 2.. etc... before u actually fire them.
ALso talk to them a lot about your vision, and how u need it to be..

They will mutiny and try to rally others when they get threatened, but thats when u pull them into the office and give them more warnings or suspensions if u can..

than eventually if nothing improves.. u fire them.. and they have been plenty warned..

A guy that has worked in a company for 25+ years has a lot of pull and has a lot of respect from other employees..
U also need to respect him, and if u can cut him slack, but have him be around as a positive force spreading your message and educating and influencing those with less seniority than him, u'll be better off.

Basically by having him around,, u could be saying, look if u work hard and bust your ass today, in 25 years u'll be like him..
'u'll have perks, u'll be the operational mangers best buddy at work (yours) and u'll be respected.

**flexin-rph** · 03-19-2006, 10:03 PM

I was once told by a lawyer to say "Your services here are no longer needed". This keeps you out of a predicament where you have to prove they have done something wrong.

**spywizard** · 03-19-2006, 10:05 PM

there must be reasons..

explain that it's not working out...

it's your job..

you can also ask your supervisor if he could recommend someone in your org that could mentor you..

asking for help is alot better than failing..

**"England"** · 03-19-2006, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by loki_is_a_god

i would be straight up ....tell them why they are getting fired...

Thats the best way to be... Just dont say fired! Say the company is cuuting back and that there position with the company is part of the cut backs! Offer what help you can!

**Logan13** · 03-20-2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by livewire57

I recently landed a job as Operations Manager at a pretty large company (not sure how I got the job, just graduated college in January, lucky I guess) Part of my job description is the hiring and firing of employees directly under me. The problem is, this is the first time I have had any real responsiblity in my life, and I am almost positive I have to fire two or three people and I am not sure how to go about it. The last time I had to do this was like four years ago when I was a manager at a movie theater, but that was different because those people were 14 and 15 year old kids, but these people have families and houses and I am basically ending their career. The fact that I am only 24 and one of the people in question has been there since before I was born doesn't help much.

You just do it, tactfully and with respect. There is no easy way, you just need to handle it.

**littlemantc** · 03-20-2006, 12:31 PM

tell them it will be in both of best interest that we part ways

**Theatrix** · 03-20-2006, 12:39 PM

First and foremost, determine if your state is for cause or no cause. Some states require cause. NJ doesn't. Make sure their employee file is up to date. Then as someone put it above, "your services are no longer required" is a good one. "It's not working out" is another. No too much information that can be used against you for discrimination. Wish them the best in their future endeavors, tell them you are sorry and off they go.

**Hard Head** · 03-20-2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by flexin-rph

I was once told by a lawyer to say "Your services here are no longer needed". This keeps you out of a predicament where you have to prove they have done something wrong.

I would wright them a nice letter explaining exactly that their services are no longer required at so and so compny and their employment is hereby terminated as of xyz date and time. I would then say that they need to immediately turn in all keys, parking passes, company credit cards (which you have already cancelled) etc, and when they do so, they can pick up their last paycheck (Have it ready!). If they fail to return company property, then the costs of rekeying the office locks will be deducted from their last check.

Give them 10 min. to recover their personal property from their office or do it for them and have it in a box waiting.

I would change the alarm codes and have the president of the company sign the letter.

I would also make sure that you were ready for a possible altercation, as somone could become violent, but hey, shit happens and better to fire someone than to be fired.

**Mesomorphyl** · 03-20-2006, 01:09 PM

I would tell them they have made the choice to leave by actions-attitude and you are just facilitating this for them. Let them know life is too short to be in a job you dont like or upsets them. Tell them good luck and you hope they find what they are looking for, offer a letter of recommendation even if you wouldnt send one. This will help them not throwing a fit out the door.

**Mesomorphyl** · 03-20-2006, 01:21 PM

Most important, which nobody has talked about is not the ones leaving but the ones staying... Will they need a meeting? Will any of them not like the changes? Perception is reality... if they perceive themselves as getting fvcked that is their reality. So spin their reality for them, by a meeting or talk to individuals as you make a daily round. This way one on one you can get them to see or hear or understand your point. Get them to agree with you by asking questions in this manner... "A hateful or antagonist attitude is counter productive dont you agree?" The person cannot disagree with a question like that. PM me if you need someone to talk to see your point or to reason as I have felt your pain.

**Liftnainez** · 03-20-2006, 01:23 PM

I know its a hard thing to do and most people dont like it.. but think of it this way- just like u said in your previous post- it will make YOU look bad when the rest of the employees slack on.. therefore you better do it just in a mature way.. think of it this way- this is your job now and you have to get dont whats needed to make the company progress.. good luck bro

**SnaX** · 03-20-2006, 02:52 PM

"You're Fired" usually works.

Ever watch the Jetsons?
If there is a reason for firing someone, then i wouldn't get too worked up about it.

**ManWhore** · 03-20-2006, 02:57 PM

When I got laid of they were extra nice, they all thought I was going to kick doors and punch managers out but I wouldn't have even gone there because they gave me a real nice 7 week package.

**MFT81** · 03-20-2006, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by BigGuns101

Tell them Donald Trump just called and left you a message, YOUR FIRED!

I pictured Daryl Hammond from SNL saying that and cracked up.

**cfiler** · 03-20-2006, 05:40 PM

Tell them that you'll give them a chance to keep their job. Play rock-paper-scissor with them. Cheat, and then fire their ass.

Or

Play "pick a number" then they guess a number, and you say "sorry, that's wrong... you're fired."

**stayinstacked** · 03-20-2006, 05:55 PM

Lets be honest here. Anybody taking 3 hour lunch breaks, being late or absent all the time, or using a business computer for personal use has no right to work there anyways. This is not about sucking on somebody's ass or being nice because you feel bad, this is business, period. I'd tell them straight up,"Listen, your absent all the time, your constantly on the computer for personal use, and a 3 hour lunch break? Thats telling me that you have better things to do than your job, so we're going to have to let you go." They'll try bitching and complaining, usually the first thing they'll do is point fingers and try to make others look just as bad "Well your not firing him!! Why me?" Bro, you just have to take it as water under the bridge and stick to your guns. And if they had that much riding on their job, what are they doing ****ing off all day to begin with? And something else you need to think about is your job!! Being a pussy about shit is going to make you look bad. Somebody may think that the new 24 year old kid just cant get a spine and make things happen, you dont want this now do you? Be a ****ing man, fire the bastards.

**Oki-Des** · 03-20-2006, 08:29 PM

Dont take on the responsibility yourself. You are not firing them, the company is. You do not have the option the keep them, so dont look at is as though your the one firing them. You got this position because it is hard and no one else wants to have to do it. Just keep in mind, when they want you gone, someone younger than you will let you go. It is kind of crappy that your boss is making you fire someone who has been there so long. But, just be honest and let them know that it is your responsibility to report the information. You do not have to do it in a manner that it was your decision.

**taiboxa** · 03-21-2006, 12:08 AM

Pull out ur katana n' get stabby w/ it

**Kale** · 03-21-2006, 12:14 AM

I am a Senior Manager for a large IT company and this is part of my job as well. You need to document the reasons these people are not performing and present it to them. Has that been done already ? If so, and they did not improve, then present that to them and say that the reason for the termination is pretty obvious. You cant just go in and fire them without first showing them grounds for dismissal. Once you have sited what the issues are and then give them the opportunity to improve and they dont, then its a pretty easy thing to do from there.

**Schwarz** · 03-21-2006, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by Pooks

Sounds like u'll be the next Jack Welch.

I hope u have already talked to the people in question, and told them your concerns, or its gonna come across as them being fired for nothing.

U have to understand what it looks like to other employees...
so u're better of giving warning 1.. warning 2.. etc... before u actually fire them.
ALso talk to them a lot about your vision, and how u need it to be..

They will mutiny and try to rally others when they get threatened, but thats when u pull them into the office and give them more warnings or suspensions if u can..

than eventually if nothing improves.. u fire them.. and they have been plenty warned..

A guy that has worked in a company for 25+ years has a lot of pull and has a lot of respect from other employees..
U also need to respect him, and if u can cut him slack, but have him be around as a positive force spreading your message and educating and influencing those with less seniority than him, u'll be better off.

Basically by having him around,, u could be saying, look if u work hard and bust your ass today, in 25 years u'll be like him..
'u'll have perks, u'll be the operational mangers best buddy at work (yours) and u'll be respected.

Agree with this approach. No offence bro but you sound like you're becoming one of those typical managers who has this great vision and expects everyone else to work 24/7 to make it happen! Give warnings but cut them some slack. They will thank you for it. Ofcourse they can go too far sometimes with 3 hour lunch breaks but there has to be a middle ground. If your too tough you loose respect and you ain't gonna get your vision if you don't have the help from the people who work for you are you??