Ten Steps to a Successful Termination

1. Follow Company Policies
   • Consistent enforcement of policies is critical
2. Create a Paper Trail
   • Document performance problems prior to taking action if at all possible
3. Unite the Management Team
   • Call Human Resources before action taken
   • Direct supervisors should be aware of action being taken – not all details
4. Determine whether to give severance and request a release from liability
   • Consult with Human Resources or counsel
5. Have a witness in the room during the termination
6. Keep the termination short and simple
   • Do not argue over the decision
7. Provide severance and insurance information
   • To be provided by Human Resources or payroll benefits company
8. Communicate with remaining employees
   • Do not elaborate on the circumstances underlying the termination
9. Better safe than sorry
   • Hire security, block passwords, change locks, disable email addresses if necessary
   • Plan with Human Resources
10. Respect everyone
    • Do not make the termination worse than it needs to be
    • Understand that the employee will want to leave quietly to reduce embarrassment