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How do you fire someone without making it worse? ( self )

submitted by jmel33 Warning: 0%

I had to let someone go last week, and honestly, it still doesn’t sit right. The employee had been skipping shifts, missing deadlines, and ignoring client messages — we gave multiple chances, but nothing changed. The hard part was figuring out how to deliver the news without making it personal or bitter. I remember someone here once said they found a better way to approach it that kept things calm. Curious how others handled situations like this without turning it into a meltdown.



Upvoted: jmel33
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bils —

I totally get that. Firing someone is never easy, but when I had to do it, what helped me was being super clear but also respectful. I found a really helpful guide on how to gently fire someone that laid out exactly how to frame the conversation. It focused on empathy without losing the message. I used their suggestion to emphasize the business decision and offer support after — made a tough talk a little easier for both sides.


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bibik93 —

From what I’ve seen, how you handle a firing says a lot about your leadership. You can have a valid reason, but if you deliver it poorly, it leaves a bad taste with the whole team. I think honesty and calm tone go a long way. No need to sugarcoat, but also no point in making it harsh. It’s still a person you’re talking to, and they’ll remember how it ended.


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Zoya Shah —

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