At some point, every employer is faced with delivering the line made famous by Donald Trump on The Apprentice: “You’re Fired.”
When terminating an employee, business managers and owners should consider worst-case scenarios prior to the firing. COVID-19 restrictions have aggravated incidences across the country and the potential for workplace violence or retaliation by a discharged employee is real. Certainly, not all terminations result in violence, or even threats of violence, but even the quietest employees may react in ways you’d never expect.
Existing employees, vendors, and clients should all feel safe, secure, and protected both during and after an employee termination. Planning and preparation are critical elements of any termination.
High-Risk Employees
While all terminations are unique, some workers can easily be deemed as high-risk. Since a firing is often due to underperformance, misconduct, or insubordination, the possibility of an unfavorable reaction or retaliation is higher in likelihood. Also, if they “see it coming” some may take actions to sabotage the business or client relationships before they are actually fired.
High-risk employees may exhibit some of the following characteristics:
- verbal or physical threats against management or co-workers.
- frequently complains and demonstrates a victim mentality.
- sudden changes in mood or behavior such as excessive tardiness, unexplained absences, and/or explosive reaction to feedback.
- a history of violence.
These behaviors don’t necessarily mean the worker will require a security presence during and after termination, but it would be prudent to do so.
Consider these steps when terminating a worker:
Where will the firing occur? Will it be an office meeting or at the workplace? Professional security guards, like those regularly provided by Maxxguard, can be present at the facility, providing not only a visible deterrent but also a trained response if necessary.
Is the employee aware the termination is about to occur? Whether aware or unaware, these terminations come with risks. A high-risk worker, for example, who is aware they are about to be fired, has time to plan a response. Likewise, a worker who is unaware may behave violently upon hearing the news. So, plan accordingly.
Will the worker be asked to leave immediately? If this is the case, you may want to consider a security guard to escort the fired worker from the premises.
The process of terminating an employee is always difficult and uncomfortable. Planning and forethought can help ensure that the risk to the company, staff, vendors and clients is managed in a way that smooths that process.
Frankie Lax is President of Maxxguard, West Tennessee’s premier provider of security personnel and security consultation. www.maxxguard.com/
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