HR Answers: This powerful conversation mitigates the pain of letting an employee go
5 tips for setting clear expectations and creating accountability before a layoff or firing is even on the table
No one likes to lay people off. It’s upsetting, painful and even traumatic—and not just for the person losing their job. In fact, studies have found that managers are almost twice as likely to suffer a heart attack in the week after they fire someone. Unfortunately, letting people go is part of being a leader—and, as many companies ramp up layoffs, it’s a task you might have to face sooner rather than later.
There’s no such thing as a completely painless firing or layoff, but there are things you can do to make the exit more peaceful for both parties. And, surprisingly, leaders should start laying the groundwork up front.
The secret to a peaceful exit has almost nothing to do with the actual firing itself. It’s all the things you do in the beginning and along the way that make a difference.
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