Terminating an employee is always a difficult and stressful position to be in. Termination letters are often the most effective way to directly communicate reasoning to the employee. They give an opportunity to comprehensively lay out the reasoning in a respectful manner. It can be difficult to provide a full explanation while also being tactful and restrained. However the following termination letter samples provide an effective example of how to do this successfully.
Termination Cover Letter Advice
Termination Letter Advice
Employees often react angrily and with hostility upon being terminated so grounding everything in the termination letter with straightforward fact is vital. The employee will need specific reasons for being terminated and will likely challenge that reasoning if given the opportunity. The more comprehensively the reasoning is laid out the less room there is to challenge the termination. Furthermore when writing a termination letter you should:
Cite relevant company policies or procedures that were violated which warrant termination
Provide outside perspectives from other upper-level employees to support the termination
Include specific indicators of performance related to other employees or expectations
Be as respectful and reserved as possible sticking to the facts rather than personal traits
How to Write a Termination Cover Letter
Writing a Termination Letter
The most important and delicate issue when writing a termination letter is how to communicate invariably bad news in a tactful manner. The letter will undoubtedly be upsetting but the blow can be softened by focusing on the facts of the situation. If possible avoid making personal indictments on the character of the employee. Try and make the termination a matter of performance or following policy and provide specific supporting evidence which backs up the claims made. The termination letter should clearly state that although this arrangement didn’t work out the company wishes this employee luck in the future. Being gracious is a huge part of crafting an effective termination letter. The termination letter should limit its scope to specific infractions and express that this failure was a matter of particular circumstances rather than going further or attacking someone personally.