I think for manager first lay-off is like a first accident for surgeon. It’s just have to happen someday if you are being a leader (or a surgeon) for a quite long time. There is no right time, place or situation to bring this bad news for an employee, so the only thing you can do is to make it a bit less stressful for him as well as for yourself.
There is a couple of tips I followed while informing an employee that we are terminating the agreement with:
- Calm down and say it. The hardest part is behind - you already have made the decision.
- Be straight forward. It’s painful, but leaves no chance for misunderstanding.
- Be short. People tend to say lots of useless words and phrases while they are in uncomfortable situation in order to fill in awkward silence.
- You don’t need to excuse for you decision. You can tell the reasoning, but you do not need to feel guilty.
- Show that the decision is final and there is no place for negotiation.