Termination is never the best part of a manager’s job, especially at a nonprofit organization. Many of them are small and tightly knit, with a volunteer board and employees who have a commitment to a cause. So even if the employee is so incompetent that it is a do-or-die situation, the act of firing an employee can be devastating. One aspect you may not have considered in the past is how to let the rest of your staff know that you’ve had to fire someone. How you deliver the news about a departing employee could impact the rest of your team. Here are some tips for letting your staff know about your difficult decision.
- Strike a delicate balance. There are two opposing forces at work when it comes to an employee termination. You need to be transparent with your team so they don’t start rumors that may reflect badly on the nonprofit’s mission. But you also need to protect the privacy of your former employee. It is important to strike a balance.
- Prioritize team morale. A key factor for your remaining staff members is their morale. If they are afraid that there will be repercussions for their behavior, you’ll create a culture of fear rather than encouragement. Create a plan to show appreciation for their continued hard work.
- Continue the work. Your employees may also become concerned that there isn’t enough work, and that was what led to the termination of their co-worker. Assure them that the employee was not fired because there wasn’t enough work to do — or assure them that there isn’t a funding issue.
- Communicate the process for handling performance problems. You also need to provide information about how problems are handled in the workplace. Let the remaining employees know that an issue with performance won’t result in immediate termination. Reiterate the steps you take as a company to correct performance problems before that happens. Of course, all nonprofit managers should discuss policies with their boards before a problem begins.
Are you concerned about employee morale after you had to terminate one of their co-workers?
To learn more about how our firm can serve your nonprofit organization, don’t hesitate to contact Kathy Corcoran at (302) 254-8240.
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