Ask Rod, Episode 12: What's the Best Way to Fire an Employee?

Executive Editor Rod Kurtz offers advice about hiring and firing, shares tips on expanding and plays with his new toy Terminator.

By Rod Kurtz

Posted 8/ 13 10 at 4:00 PM | Ask Rod, Technology, Money, Management, Leadership, Starting a Business, Legal Issues

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Comments (16)

Tags: Ask Rod, expanding, firing, growing a business, hiring, how to fire an employee, HR, running a business, starting a business

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Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Anlah 8-23-2010 2:47PM

The best way is not to these days, because they come back for you now. What about the person waiting who isn't that impulsive, who will get you 5 or 10 years later while you're thinking everything is okay, didn't have trouble with that one, that's what you think.

Lord Skeletor 8-23-2010 4:24PM

Are you for real, or just off of your meds? Firing somebody has nothing to do with sensitivity---if an employee is bad and isn't producing, they don't deserve the job and should be removed from hit. Sensitivity doesn't even play into the equation. The person produces and has good work habits (ie, on-time, doesn't waste time on computers, answering cell-phones, texting, etc.) they are definitely an asset. If they screw around and are unproductive....there shouldn't be any issue with telling them to hit the bricks. For every worthless person in general who are stuck in jobs and being unproductive, there are dozens waiting to step up and do a good job. So get with the program...businesses are in business to make money---not to support employees.

ennui 8-23-2010 3:27PM

GIVE IT TO AOL TO PUT A PIECE ON THEIR SITE ON HOW TO FIRE AN EMPLOYEE IN THE MOST DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES THIS COUNTRY HAS FACED IN YEARS...IT IS REPULSIVE, REPREHENSIBLE, AND TOTALLY INSENSITIVE...IT DOES NOT SUPRISE ME IN THE LEAST THAT AOL EMPLOYS DICK CHENEY'S DAUGHTER....DISGUSTING.

ALEDELEC 8-23-2010 3:54PM

I never actually have to fire any employees. I just quit paying them. Then they leave. I have yet to see an employee try to stick around once he is no longer getting paid.

maximum joe 8-23-2010 4:21PM

I tell them why and that's it. I don't need to sugar coat it. If you are not a good employee then you are not a good employee.

ram 8-23-2010 5:09PM

i have had to relieve many people of the job i was paying them to do ( the job was not thiers it's mine, i just pay them to do it) as for letting them go they fired themselves and they know it they had been warned both verbally and in writing. it was thier choice. always do it in a mon that way they have all week to find another job never on fri so they won't go home and brood for 2 days

dave10609 8-23-2010 5:36PM

Firing someone is very empowering. It helps to build character and let everyone else on the job that you are the man. I will sometimes fire a person just because they didn't compliment me enough on my tie. Women cry less then men most of the time, except when they have a sick child...Then they can be pathetic. These tips and more can be had at http://meaningtwolife.blogspot.com/

Josiah 8-23-2010 5:52PM

You can tell he doesn't know what he's talking about. I could give an opinion on how to fire people, (and I don't know the first thing about it) and make him sound sick. In fact, he might even lose his job for being such a fake.

taylorl809 8-23-2010 5:55PM

FedEx denies employees time off to attend their FATHERS' funeral.

Go to YouTube, search word: FedEx Inhumane Treatment.
.

Blkbrdfarm 8-23-2010 6:46PM

Don't pay a employee and see how fast they make it to the Labor Board, or you can laugh it off looking down the barrel of there shotgun a week or two after you thought it was a done deal.

sundog410 8-23-2010 6:54PM

I use the Corleone Family method. Two to the back of the head and a boat ride to dump in the ocean weighted with chains.

jbigmacdaddy74 8-23-2010 6:56PM

I send them a email with Donald Trump saying--------------YOUR FIRED----It works.

Inner Dream 8-23-2010 6:58PM

Make it clear when you hire them that they are on a 3 month probation period then if it isn't working you will have your butt covered and it will also be easier on the hired.

leontherat 8-23-2010 7:00PM

i can tell you from recent experience that an overzealous boss that doersnt like you can fabricate many things to make a good employee look like he is a bad employeee. the hopsital HMA has a terrible history of employee terminations under questionable circumstances and getting away with it especially in florida. after almost 2 years of the most hostile ,harassing environment i was terminated over a very trumped up issue . with 10 years on non blemished service with no history of any events i suddenly was targeted by a new boss . from day one he made it his mission to harass and impune my reputation and ruined my career , the kicker was he was so openly blatant about it that everyone saw it or heard his derogatory comments made about myself and others. eventusally that worm accomplished his goals . then he left the facility to ravage another healthcare dept elsewhere in st. pete florida. so with that said dougire your day will come when you are sued for defamation liable , and slander. and HMA is having to pay a settlement to keep their names out of the papers for their mulitple violations of the employees he tortured.

Jim Sanders 8-23-2010 7:51PM

Rod, I have an invention that will put out forest fires in 25% of the time it normally does now, and save lives and homes. Would you know where I should go?