Do you need to fire an employee? If you have taken the necessary steps to help the employee improve their work performance—and the steps are not working—it may be time. Most employers wait way past the optimal time to fire an employee because they are concerned about legal issues and employee morale issues. These are the legal, ethical steps to take when you fire employees.

Ensure that the company's actions, as you prepare to let an employee go, are above reproach. How you fire an employee sends a powerful message to your remaining staff—either positive or negative. Employment termination is the last step in an extended employee coaching process. Use it as a last resort when performance coaching hasn't worked.

What you'll learn
Termination in context
Managing internal communication
Anticipating common questions
When the employee is not at fault
Termination logistics
Conducting a termination
Delivering the news
Responding to negativity
Avoiding common termination pitfalls
Closing the meeting