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Casual Friday: Let employees go the right way Date published: 9/15/2006
By ELIZABETH PEZZULLO I'm sure Northwest Airlines thought it was doing its employees a favor this summer when it handed out tips to recently pink-slipped workers on how to weather layoffs. The helpful hints included a suggestion to "take a shorter shower" and "make your own baby food." It also offered up this nugget: "Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash." In recent weeks, stories have abounded about insensitive companies laying off workers in the most insulting, demeaning and downright stupid ways. Radio Shack, for example, recently canned 400 employees via e-mail. One company, according to a story on CNNmoney.com, herded workers into an auditorium and separated them with color-coded folders. Those keeping their jobs were escorted through a door leading back to their offices. The others they were moved, cattle-like, through an exit that led to the street. Still others have used the subversive tactic of posting a job vacancy on a public Web site or office bulletin board even though a person is still holding the job. Firing workers is inevitable. But here are some ways it can be done with a bit more tact: Keep it hush-hush Word will likely leak out, but the employee's direct supervisors are the only ones who need to know about the layoff in advance. Practice subtlety Never give someone the ax in a public setting. Other workers should not be able to overhear someone getting her walking papers. The boss's office, a conference room or a neutral spot outside the office is a better choice. Timing is everything The consensus used to be that Friday afternoons were the best time to drop the hammer. Experts now say that earlier in the week and day is more appropriate. Rip it like a Band-Aid You've decided what you have to do. After figuring out the best place and time, call the worker in and get to the point. Explain why, talk about severance or anything else the company can offer, and be done with it. Neither you nor the employee wants it dragged out. Then be sure to offer the worker the opportunity to clean out his desk away from the watchful eye of HR, and offer a chance to say goodbye to co-workers. Remember: Suddenly deactivating a worker's key card to the office is probably not the best approach. To reach ELIZABETH PEZZULLO:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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