and don’t feel like a dick the day after
Try hiring the right person first
No one is perfect. But we just need people who are perfect for the role.
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Be aware of the person’s drawbacks and think about how you and your team can improve or teach the person.
During the probation period keep a close eye on the person’s performance. Receive feedback or make weekly calls.
Ask your peers for advice. They all dealt with such cases at some point, so might have valuable advice.
Firing should not come as a surprise
Firing is the last resort measure.
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But at the end of the day, the life of the project and the team is most important. So if a person is dragging the team down and is not meeting the standards of your project, they should leave. |
Firing a creative employee
Firing a creative person is even more difficult, as creativity and the fruits of such labour can be subjective at times.
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Document measurable key performance indicators where possible.
Receive constant feedback from people working with the person in question.
Deep dive yourself into the work of the employee.
Reasons to fire
The most common cases are:
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There are more, but inherently, they have the same two roots.
A. Case of underperforming
That is usually the case if:
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Answer those to better understand the employee and your further actions.
B. Case of toxic behaviour
What is toxic behaviour?
Spreading a depressing vibe across the team.
Continuous criticism of the team’s goals and decisions.
Trash talk behind people’s backs.
Setting lower performance standards for the whole team.
Making people uncomfortable based on personal, racial, sexual characteristics.
Missing team meetings and ignoring team-building activities.
Asking other colleagues about their salaries.
Communicate and monitor
The employee should know that they are not meeting your expectations.
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Don’t use intimidating language, such as: unless, failing that, if not, otherwise, etc. |
Firing is NOT always bad
If you did all of the mentioned above you did your best to save the employee. Firing underperforming (yet nice) or toxic (but effective) people is vital for achieving your goal in the long run.
Tips for the actual firing
The person will feel shitty anyways, so you might as well help yourself not to feel that shitty.
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