From the article: How to Fire With Compassion and Class
Some of the details employers consider when firing an employee have changed in recent years due to the proliferation of online resources for job search. Employers believed that it was unkind to fire an employee on Friday, for one, because the former employee would be stuck all weekend with little to do to launch a job search. The times they are a’changing, but some things never change. It’s still important to develop a solid case for firing an employee. It's still important to effectively communicate performance issues. Does the day matter? What day is the best day to fire an employee? Why? See More Reader Responses. Share Your Thoughts
It's Not the Day but the Way
- I was fired via voicemail after 4 years with the company without any warning or reason given. And then, they told all the employees that I quit.
- —Guest Paddy
Friday Is Best
- We were laid off on a Tuesday morning. Those of us who car pooled were left there all day crying. We had to come in the rest of the week and just kept staying upset. I would have preferred Friday to let it sink in, cry and get myself together. It was very traumatizing to have to stay in and come in the next day and the next, even though we had months before our actual end of employment. The people who say not Friday because you can start looking and applying for unemployment have probably never been axed. If you really loved your job and had been committed to the company for a long time, believe me, you don't feel like doing ANYTHING for a few days. It's worse than a death, and you just can't even function. There is so much emotion and hate, and why's and sadness. The last thing I felt like doing was looking at the help wanted ads or learning about unemployment rules. I just wanted to cry and throw up after 30 years of loyal, "put the company first service," this was my thank you.
- —Guest don't want to say
Friday's Are the Worst
- My employment was terminated on a Friday morning. The termination was a complete surprise - after 2 years and monetary awards for productivity I was suddenly "not a good fit". After the termination meeting I had the pleasure of walking past all of the company employees on my way out the door. I have ZERO respect for this company for the manner in which they let me go and they are lucky that I did not initiate a lawsuit against them.
- —Girlnogroupthink
Time is more important than Day
- I was fired the first hour I showed up on a Thursday morning. Not only was I fired at 9am, but I had to wait 45 minutes for HR to cut my final check so I was instructed to sit at my desk and not talk to anyone while I discreetly packed my personal belongings. I later found out that I was fired that morning because the HR Director was out of the office the previous day and they didn't want to mail my final paycheck. Please have compassion on employees and fire them when less people are in the office.
- —Guest Suzanne
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
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