by samuel samson

Created on: March 14, 2009

The image of Donald Trump spitting out "You're Fired" to some quaking contestant has become a familiar scene due to the popularity of the show. Trump not only fits into but also shapes the stereotypical image that the public has of CEO's and on a smaller level any business owner or manager. The problem is that this image is so overblown and exaggerated that it causes a large schism between employers and management. While there are some "bad apples", the overwhelming majority of managers are caring, family-oriented people who don't relish the prospect of letting people go. In many cases releasing people is an option of last resort and is simply a part of the job. It is a hard job and one that should be done with extreme care. In every company a caring environment should always be a goal to reach for and this should be especially extended to the firing process.

Treating people with respect should be the first step. Never belittle a person in front of other people. When delivering the bad news, take them to an office or a private place so that they don't have to have to deal with embarrassment on top of getting fired.

Deliver the news face to face. Don't be a coward by sending an e-mail or text to someone letting them know that they are fired. Its important to remember that while you are ending your working relationship with this person, you still have other employees that are keeping an eye on how you handle things. To keep their morale up, tread lightly and carefully on their fellow employees.

Give the fired person the reasons why they are being fired. Its important not only because it makes the process easier but also because it can be a help to the person getting let go. If there are parts of their job performance that has caused this outcome, then a few words from you could go on to make a huge change in their life. Also, when that word gets out, your other employees will see how important that kind of performance is to you.

Try to provide assistance to the fired person in finding another job or help them get the resources they need to help their family get through. Your company should be a family to you. Care for your people and they will work hard for you.

Be consistent at all times when dealing with your people. When you are unsteady, your company will be unsteady. Employees will look to you for leadership and one of the largest responsibilities of a leader is deciding the path forward for the company. Pruning often hurts in the short-term but can make you much stronger and viable in the long run.

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