Even when the staff member isn’t providing value that everyone desires, it’s not easy to let them go. Nobody likes making decisions that can lead to someone losing their position. It shouldn’t be an easy task to terminate a member of staff. It is important that companies and leaders do all they can to ensure that the staff member is not terminated prematurely.
There are many reasons why staff may be let go. It can be a matter of market factors – external forces that force a reduction in headcount. Sometimes a hiring decision is wrong and the outcome was not what you expected. Sometimes, the organization changes over time, and expectations for job roles and responsibilities change along with it. We don’t exist in a vacuum and organizations need to continually innovate to survive. Some staff simply aren’t willing or able to adapt to new environments.
Even ‘heartless bosses’ are human. We tend to wait until the last minute to make those tough decisions – when we’re forced to do so, usually because the business is facing financial difficulties due to market issues or economic concerns.
In the past, my direct reports have criticized me for putting off difficult conversations that resulted in staff leaving. The fact that I sent the wrong message that it was acceptable to not do your job properly was brought to my attention. My line managers also criticized me, saying that I made their job more difficult by demanding outstanding performance from a team who couldn’t function to meet its ambitious targets.
Don’t misunderstand me, nobody should be surprised by a difficult discussion. Everyone in your team has a right to expect that they will be informed if something is not going as planned. You can’t simply leave them! Staff need time and opportunity to improve, and support in order to achieve this. If all else fails, I think it’s important to make the difficult decision of leaving the company sooner rather than late, and in a respectful way.
5 Reasons Why
- It’s not good for business to delay difficult decisions. It is important to consider the messages that you send to your employees. You should also show that you’re aware of the situation on the ground and will take decisive action when necessary.
- Delaying those difficult decisions can make it harder for senior members of the team to reach their goals. As a leader, your default position must be to strive to get the most out of all employees in the organization. However, if the best is not enough, it’s important to support the leadership team to ensure they have the skills and talent to perform their duties and achieve their goals.
- Staff prefer to have the uncertainty resolved as soon as possible, especially if their performance is still lacking despite all efforts. People aren’t stupid. They know when things don’t go well. It isn’t fun to be struggling and waiting for the axe every day.
- It may be easier for a boss to wait until the economy or market contract before making tough decisions, but this is not the best time for those who are laid off. During a downturn in the economy, there will be less opportunities for people to find new jobs. This is not good.
- There is also another important reason to make those difficult decisions when it’s right, and not when the business cycle has turned. By letting people go when times are good, the company will be able to afford to give them more money on their way out. It is impossible for someone who has just been fired to feel pressured by finances or pressed into getting a new job. If you can, treat your staff well as they leave. You will be better able to do this if you wait until the business is under financial pressure.
This is a very sensitive subject and one that most people don’t want to discuss. My point is we need to discuss it – managers should make tough decisions when they are right, not wait until they’re forced to.
It’s time to take action if you’ve tried to support and help a staff member improve but it hasn’t worked. This is better for you, your leadership team, the remaining staff and the individual who’s being told to move on.
Leaders are those who make difficult decisions and do what is right for all at the best time.
