What is the Best Day to Fire an Employee
- There really isn't a "best day." However, if one has to terminate, Monday might be the best. This will allow the now former employee time during the business week to look for a job or file for unemployment. Fridays are definitely out because it provides too much idle time.
- —Guest RBoykins
Merciless termination
- I was terminated on a Monday, at the end of the day, after slaving away while the rest of my department did nothing. It was as if they knew I was going to get the axe. I was wondering why my coworker was so kind to me that morning. He had everything laid out for me in advance. He had only done that once or twice before in 2 years time. He was also in good with our supervisor, though he also couldn't stand her. Anyways, after doing the brunt of the work that day, I learned about 1 hr before my shift was up that I was being placed on administrative leave for 10 days. During that time I had the option to appeal or be terminated. After all the unfair treatment i endured while there, I opted to leave, as I could no longer stand my supervisor. I am now looking into possibly filing suit. No day is a good day to be fired, but a Monday really does seem like a waste, especially when you commute as I did. They also included the almost full day I worked in administrative leave. Go figure.
- —Guest Guest
Honour the notice period
- I would say, it is easier for an employee to accept firing if we honour the notice period of two months. But, before deciding to fire an employee, many coaching and feedback sessions should be given, so that non performance does not come as a surprise leading to firing.
- —Guest Karmic
What is the Best day to fire someone?
- There is no right or wrong day, per say, Monday through Friday. The right time is when there are no more options. A disgruntled employee can create other problems before leaving. If it is a different person, it can be done at the end of a pay period. A lot of it depends on the person and the character of the employee.
- —Guest John Busch
Fire on the Day it's needed
- There's never a "good" day to fire someone. The employer should fire on the day that it's needed to sever the relationship. Could be a Monday... or any other day... after all ducks are in a row, documentation is done, termination checklist has been completed, and so on. If the terminated employee tries to declare they never saw it coming, well, then they are in denial. Employees fire themselves. I'm strong on Exit Interviews but they serve no purpose when you've just Donald Trumped them.
- —Guest Patty, Resume ResQ
Employees Fire Themselves
- Ah, an age-old HR debate. If we fire via email like Radio Shack did some time ago, I guess when it happens depends on when they open their email! I agree with Virginia. Friday is best. They aren't immediately in a mindset to job hunt. If the next day is a weekday, family and friends are at work and not there to support them. However, I've learned to NOT let people pack up. Horror stories of them taking two hours. They are in shock. Let them get their purse/keys, etc. and depart. Ship their "stuff" later. Also very uncomfortable for the person who has to "babysit" them and a potential security issue (opportunity to "steal" files, etc.) Kristine, the points you mention are HUGE. I'd add kindness and compassion. People sue because they are mad and how they're treated on the way out can have a big impact. If things are done properly (warnings, PIP, etc.), they should be "firing themselves." The supervisor and HR's role is to make it happen with the least trauma to ee.
- —Guest Mark
Not Friday
- I don't recommend Fridays. Terminating Tuesday - Thursday will allow the employee to file for unemployment and start the process of job hunting. I dont recommend Monday either...why bother having the employee come in only to be terminated after arriving.
- —Guest SMPHR
Mgr
- Depending on a person's position and level of influence in and outside of the company, Friday is a good day. You don't want to give them too much time to talk to your customers, giving out incorrect or bad information. Terminating an employee is never a pleasant experience, but doing so only after following a defined performance process is absolutely the best for all involved. I have never terminated an employee who did not know it was coming.
- —Guest Guest Shawn
No such thing as the best day
- In my experience as an HR officer I have come to the realisation that there is no good day to fire an employee but that it's just one of those things that has to be done. The most important thing for me is not to blind side the employee, he/ she has to know that someting is coming. No matter the reason for the dismissal, all people should be treated with dignity and respect- believe me that makes a huge difference to their attitude. Since it has to be done for me early in the week like Monday or Tuesday is ideal because it gives the terminated employee time to pack up, hand in necessary documents, keys etc, collect their severance pay and other terminal benefits, if there are any, and gives them the rest of the week to begin planning their next move.
- —Guest Tinashe
Observe good faith and justice
- I think it's not the day that matters. It's the situation and the traits of that particular person. Be as respectful as always.
- —Guest mohoryz
Never Fire an Employee on Friday
- Friday is never a good time to terminate. Be empathetic but say "the decision has been made" so they get the idea, it is not a case to be argued. As soon as you've presented the final check have someone turn off their computer so they no longer have access and take whatever keys they have (office-related) in their possession. Offer to allow them the dignity of returning after work to collect their belongings so they don't have to face the humiliation of being escorted out "hat in hand". If that is their preferred option, of course have two managers on hand to escort them out once they've returned for their personal belongings.
- —Guest Gail
Best Day to Fire an Employee
- Friday at the end of the day is still the best. Whatever disruptions will happen in the workplace will dissipate over the weekend. An employer will never be able to control the gossip only minimize it at work.
- —Guest Rhonda
No Good Day to Fire an Employee
- I am often involved in terminations where I work. I must say there never is a good day, time or way to let someone go. It is important to plan ahead and coordinate activities to make the announcement to the affected worker as smooth as possible. No matter who the individidual is, or the reasons for the termination, it is important to treat people with dignity and respect. I also leave them with the opportunity to contact me at any time for answers to questions and to discuss concerns afterwards. It has been my experience that a degree of empathy does help.
- —Guest Kristine
It really depends on the reason
- It is always saddening to disengage an employee prematurely. But for me, there is no best day, depending on the reason for disengagement. I will rather worry about the handling of the end-of-service interview/interaction than any other thing. I always have the problem of getting emotionally involved and project some empathy. If the employee committed grave offence, my worry is really less. But does it really matter much which day an employee gets fired. Emphasis should rather be paid in quick delivery of the benefits package, if any.
- —Guest Johnny Ogbuene
Best Day for Termination
- I was always schooled that terminations should not occur on Fridays - as the terminated employee may end up going out on a Friday evening, drinking too much and then having an accident. Based upon that, I always have targeted Wed or THU as the day for the termination. I once was involved in a major (~30 employees) riff, whereby we did it on a Monday morning. It was so complicated that we rented hotel conference rooms to conduct it simultaneously by department and then shuttled employees to another room to begin outplacement counseling. It was one of my worst professional experiences.
- —pholberton
