6 Essential Actions Before Letting An Employee Go

​When an employee is no longer a good fit for a business, it may be necessary to let them go. However, before doing so, some essential steps should be taken. Following these actions can help ensure a smooth separation and protect yourself from any potential legal problems. So, if you're thinking about firing someone, read on!

1. Document Evidence of Employee's Bad Work Behavior
Keeping track of your employees performance from the time of hire till the moment you begin noticing their slackness is important. As a private employer, you might find this step tasking, but the truth is that it makes for good evidence if ever you need to defend your decision. 

You can gather evidence of a particular employee's bad work behavior and document it in many ways. Here is how:

• Other Employee's Complaints and Feedback
• Stated Instances of Unprofessionalism in Office Settings
• Chats
• Communication Online

2. Job Expectations
An employee's failure to fully understand their job role leads to continuous underperformance. Communicating the exact expectations required from employees creates room for improvement to get the results needed.

3. Lead By Example
Leading by example is a teaching method that has proven useful for many years in different practices. When you are a hardworking employer and abide by certain work ethics, it does not take long for others to follow suit.

A perfect instance where you can lead by example can be simple, such as showing up early for work or dressing up neatly. 

4. Have an Improvement Plan
No one ever prays for their employees to get slack with their work but when this happens, being prepared is always a better option. An improvement plan involves an outline of steps to correct the errors and bad work ethics portrayed by the employee in question.

Correction is an important step before you consider terminating the person from the start.

5. Private Verbal Confrontation and Counseling
Sometimes, calling the employee's attention to their wrongdoings in the office space and their underperformance can lead to a positive change. When spoken the right way and in private, words can go a long way, so try this approach before letting them go.

6. Written Counsel
When speaking words might be inconvenient for you, writing them down is also an effective means to pass the message to your underperforming employee.

It helps even better when you state clearly the areas you want them to improve and the period you are willing to let them make serious improvement or termination awaits them.

Conclusion
Terminating your employee from the onset without giving room for improvement is a costly decision. By terminating them, extra effort and time are needed to recruit and hire a worthy replacement, one that you will have to train again for the expected job role. Save on this cost today and give them a second chance by following the above steps! 

At McClain Matthews Insurance, we aim to provide comprehensive insurance policies that make your life easier. We want to help you get the insurance that fits your needs. You can get more information about our products and services by calling our agency at (317) 298-7500. Get your free quote today by CLICKING HERE. Topics and coverage discussed in this article are not guaranteed, consult with your agents to determine what your policy does and does not cover. We are more than happy to help!