The Best Way to Fire an Employee (Hint: It's Not by Email)

I have been involved in too many termination conversations to count. It’s never easy, and it can be tempting to try to ease the pain by just sending the message in an email. But before you write a draft or hit send, rethink this strategy and plan a termination conversation. Here’s why in-person is the best method, and some tips on planning the meeting.

Why Email Is Not the Right Way to Fire Someone

Keep in mind that whenever you send an email, it can be forwarded to anyone with an email address. Your writing could end up as an unflattering story on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or as content for a YouTube channel.

The recent termination letter sent to Scott Pelley is full of content ready-made for responses. It’s an invitation for people to take sides on social media and in the press, and fuel for plenty of workplace chatter. Maybe CBS wanted a public debate, but would you?

For remote workers or employees who can’t make it into...