Firing an employee is often as hard on the person giving the bad news as it is on the person receiving it. But it needs to be done, especially if you have someone who is ‘poisoning the well’ and bringing the entire business down with them. Here are some tips for firing

employees in the right way.

Think it through and prepare: It is important not to fire an employee in the heat of the moment or when you are having a bad day. Think it through and consider how you will tell the employee.



Do it privately: Call the employee to your office, or a private area where the two of you can speak. This will help spare the employee the embarrassment of being fired in front of his or her colleagues.



Be clear, direct and avoid making it personal: Be sure to be clear and direct with the employee for the reasons they are

being fired. Focus on the actions the employee carried out, and if possible specific examples.



Offer to reference for good employees: Sometimes an employee is simply a bad fit for the company. In such cases, offer to let them use you as a reference when they begin to look for work again.