By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: How to fire people in a nice way?
I am going to fire two girls tomorrow.
One girl likes to complain when something affects her profit (she's only younger 1 year than me), the other girl has been working hard ,but the result sucks.and they both lack teamwork.
I see no reason to keep them.
I know when I fire them, they will complain and all I will want to say is 'Tell your story walking".
But I need to find a nicer way
11 years 19 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
Over the years, I have had to fire many people. The basic rules of the game are:
1) Have everything setup in advance (exit letter, severance pay, exit checklist, etc...)
2) Do it towards the end of the day. (The less time for office workers to gossip about it, the better.)
3) Do it in private.
4) Be polite, but firm. Whatever you do, don't change your mind if they start crying/complaining/threatening.
5) Be direct.
6) Keep it short.
7) Keep an eye on them until they leave to office.
Firing people is never fun. But if you want to have your business grow, you need people who will help it grow, not poison it. So be strong and know that you are making the right choice.
maggiegirly:
John,Thanks so much for your useful advice.I used it.
My husband and I enjoy reading your posts each time.
This website should be paying you, you're awesome.
Xpat.John:
Thank you Maggie, that is very nice of you to say. When I came to China I was lucky enough to have had several friends (along with my wife) who helped me out a lot. I enjoy helping others where I can.
Maggie, I don't know if there are other people or not in your office, or it is just the three of you.
If there are other people, just remember that they will be judging you silently on how you fired those two. No one likes to be fired and in the end, very few people like it when others are fired. So do it as nicely and professionally as possible. Little drama. Nice chit chat. Thank for the good things. Promise them a decent reference. Keep it short and above all going-to-church-on-Sunday sweet. That's for those that are left behind.
And then encourage them out the door.
maggiegirly:
Well,there is anther girl in our office but she's a new one and I will get more people to join our team later this week.
You know,I Just wanted to fire them as nicely as possible.
Thanks for your useful advice.
crimochina:
no one likes to be fired but moreso, no one likes working with people who do not pull their weight. and people in general would be motivated to work harder or else they will get the exit
Try to fire them in private, when no one else can listen. Tell them the company must make changes and it's time for them to go. Use euphemisms.
as 98... says, give them a good reference so you part on good terms. But also be honest with them on why they are being let go, so they get a chance for improving in their next job.
Over the years, I have had to fire many people. The basic rules of the game are:
1) Have everything setup in advance (exit letter, severance pay, exit checklist, etc...)
2) Do it towards the end of the day. (The less time for office workers to gossip about it, the better.)
3) Do it in private.
4) Be polite, but firm. Whatever you do, don't change your mind if they start crying/complaining/threatening.
5) Be direct.
6) Keep it short.
7) Keep an eye on them until they leave to office.
Firing people is never fun. But if you want to have your business grow, you need people who will help it grow, not poison it. So be strong and know that you are making the right choice.
maggiegirly:
John,Thanks so much for your useful advice.I used it.
My husband and I enjoy reading your posts each time.
This website should be paying you, you're awesome.
Xpat.John:
Thank you Maggie, that is very nice of you to say. When I came to China I was lucky enough to have had several friends (along with my wife) who helped me out a lot. I enjoy helping others where I can.
Give them a fortune cookie with the fortune being find a new job....maybe they will see it as a sign...then let them have the news they may then be expecting it and feel happy to leave because of what the fortune cookie said.
Here's a good one: "leave the company you are at you can find better" Don't wait too long or you will miss a good opportunity"!
The "wheel of destiny"
TedDBayer:
Yes, if you want your job, then Thunderdome. Every work place should have one, lunch will never be boring again.
I do not think it is a good way to fire two person in a day
if it is a big company, that is fine.
If it is only an office, why not choose another day ?
Nessquick:
it is not easy fire them, why to make it hard for you for 2 days, when it can be done in 30 minits ? :)
Guys,Thanks for all the advice,I appreciate it a lot.
maggiegirly:
Well,as I said,I just took Xpat John's advice.it's great.
Hey, the girl who is working hard, make sure you point that out to her and suggest maybe she is more talented at other things.
tell them that you are giving them a permanent unpaid vacation and give them a shining recommendation letterm their salary, and everything else they are entitled too. If they ask when they should return tell them that you will be in touch when you need them again.
I fired someone in China once. After the first few weeks it was obvious she was never going to work out so I just told her that while everyone likes her and she was a diligent worker etc ( wasn't the case at all but whatever) she just wasn't the employee we were looking for.
She was ok with it and said thanks for the opportunity and all that, and that she knew she was going to be fired when she got paid with everyone else.
I didn't know what to make of that. Everyone got paid on payday, every month, no exceptions.I don't understand why she'd think she wouldn't be paid if I wanted to keep her on.
Things like that really make you wonder what conditions people call normal in China.
PulSartre:
Is it a reaon to think one might be fired for getting paid together with the rest of your collegues on the payday? Is it like a Chinese corporative code to anounce you will be sacked? Hmmmmmmm.
Stiggs:
I think some places hold your first month salary as a deposit so you won't leave without giving them notice, it might have been something to do with that - her expecting us to do the same.
It can be done in a nice way but whether or not it will be accepted in the way you intend it is quite another question. Seeing that they like to complain, you will have to state your case clearly. You do not have to be harsh. Give them the pros and cons of keeping them. Obviously the cons are more. Tell them, for that reason you have to let them go.
This was also my struggle when there's a time I need to fire an employee since I understand that they have mouth to feed but it should take in a professional way.
