Articles tagged 'termination'

Is There a Good Way to Fire Someone? No, But Don’t Do It By Phone

by John Hollon on May 3, 2013, 9:10 AM | No comments yet

Editor’s Note: Sometimes, readers ask about past TLNT articles they may have missed. That’s why on Fridays we republish a Classic TLNT post some of you have asked about.

If there’s one thing that struck me this week about the firing of Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, it’s this: Why would you fire a person, especially a CEO, over the phone, especially when you could do it in person?

This is something I know a little about because, yes, believe it or not, I had to do it once when I couldn’t be in two places at one time.

The Wall Street Journal had a story this week about how to fire someone — titled Bad Call: How Not to Dismiss an Employee— and it was instructive not only because it was spun out of how the Yahoo Board handled the termination of their CEO, but because it had a laundry list of many of the things you absolutely don’t want to do when you are firing someone. Read more…

HR Basics, Legal Issues

Employment At Will: The Most Misunderstood Workplace Principle

by John A. Gallagher on Apr 10, 2013, 10:20 AM | 1 comment

By John A. Gallagher

Most Americans have a general understanding of the “employment at will” doctrine. They understand that it means that they are not guaranteed employment for any specific period of time.

In general, and at least intellectually, they understand that they can be fired at any time, and for any reason.

However, it is my experience that folks do not know what that overriding principle, that one can be fired at any time and for any reason, truly means and how it plays out in the workplace.

In order to truly understand this principle, it is helpful to examine workers who are not at-will employees. We will look at the three most common-type employees, from most populous to least. Read more…

HR News & Trends

Weekly Wrap: Should Anyone Be Punished Twice For the Same Offense?

by John Hollon on Apr 5, 2013, 12:55 PM | 4 Comments

Am I the only one in America who thinks that fired Rutgers University men’s basketball coach Mike Rice got a raw deal and was punished twice for the same offense?

It’s a question that no one seems to be asking in the rush to judgment to fire Rice, Athletic Director Tim Pernetti (who resigned today) and Rutgers University President Robert Barchi (who seems to be holding on to his job by his fingernails).

And although I understand that the college president and athletic director are fair game now for what they didn’t do last December — take a zero tolerance policy and fire their abusive coach — canning him now after already punishing him four months ago should be troubling to anyone who manages talent and believes in treating people equitably. Read more…

HR Basics, HR Management

5 Must-Dos for Anyone Struggling With How to Manage Layoffs

by Raymond Lee and Judy Lindenberger on Mar 19, 2013, 8:05 AM | 4 Comments

According to survey results published by Rutgers University in February, nearly a quarter of Americans were laid off during the Great Recession or afterward, and, almost 80 percent of people know a friend or family member who lost a job.

Yes, layoffs are a way of life today.

At this moment we’re in the midst of government spending cuts known as sequestration. It could result in job cuts for FBI agents, air traffic controllers, teachers and police officers. Economists predict that over 2 million American jobs could be lost during the course of the mandate. Read more…

HR Management, Leadership

Should Companies Ever Terminate GOOD Employees? Here’s Why …

by Jacque Vilet on Feb 5, 2013, 7:00 AM | 3 Comments

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been.” — Wayne Gretzky

One of the most difficult actions management has is terminating an employee who performs well, is a team player, is committed to the company, and, is highly engaged. But it happens — mostly when start-ups begin to grow rapidly.

It’s an unfortunate fact that as a start-up begins to grow — and grow fast — new skills are needed from employees. And some employees don’t have them to give. The company has “outgrown” them. Read more…

Classic TLNT

Poor Performance Is Contagious, Especially If You Won’t Deal With It

by Patty Azzarello on Jan 11, 2013, 9:13 AM | No comments yet

Editor’s Note: Sometimes, readers ask about past TLNT articles they may have missed. That’s why on Fridays we republish a Classic TLNT post some of you have asked about.

As managers, at some point we all encounter an employee who frustrates us and drains the life and energy out of the team.

When you are in this situation with someone, you know it in your heart that you should act, particularly when they really annoy you. But, you don’t act right away because you second guess yourself, and you keep thinking, “they really do some things very well — sometimes…” Read more…

Legal Issues

You’re Going Where? Protecting Key Information from Departing Employees

by Michael P. Elkon on Dec 19, 2012, 10:27 AM | No comments yet

By Michael P. Elkon

It is a quiet Friday afternoon for you at Wernham Hogg Paper Company.

As you gaze out the window and contemplate your plans for the weekend, you are suddenly jolted back into reality when your company’s best salesperson, Peter Gibbons, enters the office to tell you that he is resigning his employment, effective immediately. Your jaw drops to the floor when he tells you that he is moving to Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Wernham Hogg’s biggest competitor.

Peter gave you no inkling that he was dissatisfied in any way. His numbers have been consistently great because he understands Wernham Hogg’s products, he builds great relationships with customers and he is very good at sticking to the company’s short-and long-term business plans.

Now, he is going to take his knowledge of Wernham Hogg’s operations, along with his considerable sway with its biggest customers, to a competitor so that he can use that information against your employer. Read more…

HR Management, Talent Management

Worried About Layoffs? Here Are 3 Ways to Ease Fear in the Workplace

by Derek Irvine on Oct 17, 2012, 7:00 AM | 1 comment

In a not-so-shocking headline, Forbes recently proclaimed Job Ax Fears Can Mess with Employee Engagement & Morale.

While I know no one reading this post is surprised by this in the least, the article does go on to make several good points, including the paranoia caused by constant fear of layoffs leading to a destruction of trust and teamwork.

And this stress is happening at all levels of the organization, not just the leadership tier. I wrote about research showing middle managers are far more stressed than senior leaders. Now additional research out of the UK shows the same results. Read more…

HR News & Trends

Weekly Wrap: Are Workers Less Productive Without Their Coffee Fix?

by John Hollon on Aug 31, 2012, 12:20 PM | No comments yet

Think you just can’t make it through the morning — or whenever you start your day — without that first cup of coffee? You’re not alone.

A new survey from CareerBuilder and Dunkin’ Donuts (and yes, they have a bit of a vested interest in this) found that close to half of all American workers (46 percent) say they are less productive without coffee.

If you’re anything like me, you probably already knew that, because I know I have a harder time getting going in the morning without that first cup of java. Read more…

HR News & Trends

Weekly Wrap: $720 Million Spent on Engagement and This Is All We Get?

by John Hollon on Aug 24, 2012, 12:15 PM | 7 Comments

Editor’s note: Weekly Wrap has been on a much-needed vacation in Alaska the last two weeks. Apologies to those who thought that perhaps something more sinister had happened.

Employee engagement is one of those topics that people can’t seem to get enough of.

There are a lot of reasons for that, but mainly, I think it is because a great many managers know that engagement is a good thing that would benefit their organizations but they simply don’t know how to get their workforce to buy in. Read more…

Articles tagged 'termination'

Is There a Good Way to Fire Someone? No, But Don’t Do It By Phone

Employment At Will: The Most Misunderstood Workplace Principle

Weekly Wrap: Should Anyone Be Punished Twice For the Same Offense?

5 Must-Dos for Anyone Struggling With How to Manage Layoffs

Should Companies Ever Terminate GOOD Employees? Here’s Why …

Poor Performance Is Contagious, Especially If You Won’t Deal With It

You’re Going Where? Protecting Key Information from Departing Employees

Worried About Layoffs? Here Are 3 Ways to Ease Fear in the Workplace

Weekly Wrap: Are Workers Less Productive Without Their Coffee Fix?

Weekly Wrap: $720 Million Spent on Engagement and This Is All We Get?

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