Question

What are the steps taken by your employer to terminate employees? How would you improve these steps, or are they adequate?

Answer 1

Steps taken by the employer to terminate employees

Proper investigation

In case of wrongdoings or performance dissatisfaction, first, a proper and thorough objective investigation is conducted before termination. Note that termination can also be due to reasons like cost-cutting actions of the company

Documentation

Documentation of communication   and procedural formalities

Communication

Communication to the concerned employee who is being terminated should be provided. this includes the reason for termination, the remaining tenure, expectations from the employee regarding returning of company possessions etc.

Feedback

Give him a personal feedback regarding performance

Team communication-

The employee’s team is also communicated regarding termination. Sometimes employees may be terminated for mere cost cutting and the termination should not be constituted as a fault due to employee performance.

In case of contract employees, the contractor/sub-contractor is also informed regarding the reason, process and termination

Follow company and legal formalities

This includes salary settlements; salary slips etc as well as procedures related pension, health insurance schemes etc

Retrieval of company possessions

This includes retrieval of office holdings, materials and documents, badges, ID cards etc., from employees

Improvements suggested

• Timing of communication- this plays an important role since termination creates a emotional disturbance for most employees
• Medium of communication – generally a personal face to face approach is better rather than using email or phone.
• Knowledge transfer – employees take with them a lot of tacit knowledge. Attempts should be made to transfer and store them for future usage by the company
• Support center –a support center may be initiated to help employees find a new job and cope with the emotional stress