Firing at Will: A Manager's Guide

Introduction

I've been hugged by employees I've fired. On more than one occasion.

I once got an e-mail from an employee I fired, thanking me for the employment and calling my firm “truly a great place to work.”

I'm not telling you this to brag about my skills at firing. Quite honestly, I don't ever want to be known as a good terminator (non-cyborg division). I never wanted to fire anybody, and I never want to have to do it again.

In fact, no one wants to fire employees—certainly no one who would ever pick up this book. But it's an unfortunate certainty in life—along with death and taxes—that an employer will have to fire an employee at some point in his or her career. This book will help you do it right.

You could say that the possible reactions ...