Can I Fire Them?

Hey Managers,

The age-old question: when can I fire my employee?

Making these decisions is what makes leadership difficult. It’s neither fun nor easy.

But we need to be careful. Our friend Patrick Lencioni says, “Firing someone is often the last act of cowardice.”

I’ve heard that most managers spend 99% of their emotional energy on accountability and 1% on setting expectations.

Whereas, we should be spending 99% on expectations and 1% on accountability.

So, when can I fire my employee?

You can, if you answer YES to all these questions:

We're not discussing extreme cases here. Money laundering or physical violence at work falls into a different category.

For most performance-related issues, consider asking yourself these six questions before deciding to terminate someone's employment.

Remember to consult with your HR professional or attorney for professional guidance on each particular situation.