12 Letting people go

- Letting people go is one of the hardest parts of being a manager. In all my years of professional work I don’t know anyone who’s ever enjoyed the process. But making tough decisions is part of your role as a manager, so at some point in your career you’ll have to do this. Let’s make sure you’re prepared. The first thing to know is ending somoene’s employment can take a few different forms. Each has its own complexities and is governed by different rules, policies, and even laws. There are also different employee statuses that affect the process too. An employee’s exempt status or membership in a represented labor group all play a role, as do local, state, and federal laws. Sound confusing? It is. This is why your first strategy is always to involve HR and legal professionals early. I cannot emphasize this enough. There are often very specific requirements around documentation and communication, with your word choices and actions having a greater impact than you may realize. So always seek guidance and supp