Tuesday, November 21, 1989 - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Page 3A
The WORKPLACE by AMY EDMUNDS
How To Make A Dismissal
Sooner or later almost every employer will
have to dismiss someone. Take steps to protect
yourself with proper documentation, preserve
the dignity of your organization and the employ
ee, and be sensitive to the resulting aftermath.
Write it Down
Mishandling a dismissal can put your compa
ny at risk of being sued. To be successful in court
requires documentation. You should be prepared
to provide at least one dated memo addressed to
the employee that spells out specific perfor
mance failings over a period of time. You also
need proof — signed by the employee, that you
discussed the problems and gave recommenda
tions for Improvement. Finally, you'll need a re
port citing the employee's failure to improve over
time.
Types of Dismissals
Proper labeling of dismissals is also essential
to minimize becoming entangled in costly law
suits. Be aware that imprecise wording can affect
the dismissed individual's unemployment com
pensation and leave your firm liable.
FIRING refers to a for-cause dismissal, e.g.
theft, sabotage, gross
insubordination. Documentation is key in
these situations. Disciplinary action must be
taken Immediately and applied consistently.
TERMINATION refers to failure to perform to
expectations. Document and advise the" employ
ee.
LAYOFT" refers to a status in which the employ
ee is subject to recall. It is not a dismissal.
POSITION ELIMINATION refers permanent
elimination of a job because of business condi
tions. It is not a dismissal.
Breaking the News
Individual circumstances will ultimately dic
tate the terms of the dismissal. And, no amount
of preparation will completely take the sting our
of Job loss. But careful forethought can ensure
that the company is legally protected and that
both the dismissed individual and supervisor
emerge with their self-esteem Intact.
• Make sure you have completed all necessary
documentation.
• Explain the exact reasons for the dismissal,
being specific in business terms as oppose to per
sonal reasons.
• Don't tell anyone, other than those who have
a specific need to know, that an individual will
be discharged. A leak will compromise your
leadership and Increase the employee's resent
ment. In addition, over publicizing the informa
tion makes you liable for a defamation claim.
• Have the Indlvlduals's immediate supervisor
deliver the message.
• Describe the exit Interview process. Realize
that the employee may not comprehend all of
this at this time. Outline the details of transfer-
ring responsibili
ties, personal ef
fects, company
property, sever
ance, continued
health-insurance
coverage, etc.
• Listen as the em
ployee vents feelings. Don't argue. Be sympa
thetic without compromising the decision.
• Be considerate of the employee's dignity.
Avoid asking them to clean out their desk
or locker immediately and leave, or having a
security guard escort the individual from the
building. Instead, schedule the meeting near
the end of the week and for late in the day. You
may encourage them to telephone a friend or
family member to pick them up
• Public places, such as restaurants, are favor
ite settings to reduce the risk of an emotional
scene. However, a closed-door session may bet
ter preserve the employee's privacy.
Aftermath
Breaking the news to the dismissed employee
is not your only task. You must also face the
rest of your staff. Here are three steps for mini
mizing the disruption a dismissal causes
among staff members;
Step 1: Prepare yourself
Make sure your feel confident about what
you've done.
Step 2; Initiate conversation.
Talk openly with the ex-employee's friends to
reassure them that their jobs are secure, if that
seems necessary.
Step 3: Know the law.
Disclose the circumstances only to those peo
ple who need to know for business purposes.
A Tough Job
Dismissals are a devastating event for the em
ployee. But the experience isn't always that
much better on the other side of the desk. It Is
common to feel some anxiety, quilt or loss. Af
ter all, a dismissal is a mutual failure for the
manager who thought he hired the right em
ployee for the position. Don't Ignore your own
need for consolation after the announcement
has been made.
If you follow these guidelines, you will have
made the best out of something that will always
be difficult. You will have demonstrated firm
and sensitive leadership to your subordinates,
thereby enhancing your effectiveness as a busi
ness owner.
Amy Edmunds is the owner of Executive Re
flections, an employment service providing
temporary help. Job readiness, seminars and
resume consultations, located in Charlotte.
IF ONLY
THEY CAME
WITH
INSTRUCTIONS.
American
Red Cross
For The Best In Black Entertainment...
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Thanksgiving Day
Sanitation Scheduie
Thursday Backyard Customers:
No backyard pickup Thursday, November 23
Thursday Curbside Customers:
No curbside trash collection
Thursday. November 23
Monday-Wednesday & Friday
Customers:
No change in regularly scheduled service
Caii 336-2673
CCD)
CIURIXyiTE.
CARDIOLOGY CONSULTANTS
OF CHARLOTTE
"When Your Heart Beats. We Listen"•]
A.O. ALUKO, M.D., FRCP(C), FCCP.
Certified by American Board of Internal
Medicine, and Subspecialty Board of
Cardiovascular Diseases
Specializing in the Prevention,
Detection and Treatment of
Heart Diseases
Office Hours:^
By Appointment
Only
508 Eastway Dr. • Suite A » Charlotte, N.C. 28205 » 332-2690
Conway Teacher Suspended
Continued From Page lA
National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People,
was suspended by Dawsey on
Aug. 29 for his Involvement in
the boycott.
The board reached Its decision
to fire Singleton after several
days of deliberations that fol
lowed a four-day hearing that
concluded Nov. 10. The board
held the hearing to determine
whether to fire or reinstate him.
Singleton was dismayed at the
board's decision and denied that
his actions were disruptive.
"This school board has no jus
tifiable reason for my dismissal
whatsoever," Singleton said In a
telephone Interview from his
church office.
The protest began after Conway
coach Chuck Jordan replaced
quarterback Carlos Hunt, who Is Mickey Wilson Jr., a white
black and who led the team to a teammate,
winning season a year ago, with
Health • Education • Nutrition
Darryl H. Pearson M.D.
Darryl H. Pearson, M.D.
Complete Obstetrical & Gynecological Care Including
Laser & Gyn Surgery
Infertility
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Nutritional And Weight Loss Counseling
Evening & Weekend Appointments to Accommodate the Working Woman
2711 Randolph Rd. Suite 507 377-2765
%\)z Cljarlotte
Published Every Thursday
By The Charlotte Post
Publishing Company, Inc.
1531 Camden Road.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Yearly Rate: $21.00
Three months; $6.00
Two years: $35.00
Senior Citizen Yearly Rate: $18.00
USPS No. 965500
Second Class Postage Paid
Charlotte, NC 28203
For more information call:
376-0496
Jackquelyn Cair
Production Manager
Fran Farrer-bradley
Special Marketing
Herb White
Managing Editor
LoraVanderhall
Advertising Director
Calvin Ferguson
Chief Photographer
Dannette Gaither
Business Manager
Charles Ramseur
Art Director
Jalyne R. Stror^
Public Relations Director
POST MASTER
Send change of address to:
The Charlotte Post
P.O. Box 30144
Charlotte, NC 28230
TOUWaiKHARDim
TOURMONEY
NOWLET'VDLR MONEY
WaRKHARDK»YOU.
As your savings grow at Wachovia,
so do your choices of ways to
save. And no matter what you’re
saving for — college expenses,
a car, or to buy something spe
cial — a Personal Banker can
help you find the best way for
your money to grow.
A Statement Savings Account
Is A Great Way To Start.
The perfect way to start putting
money aside is with a Wachovia
Statement Savings Account. You
can open the account with any
amount, start earning interest
immediately, and deposit or
withdraw any amount. You can
also use this account to provide
overdraft protection for your
regular checking account.
Save Automatically.
Once you’ve started a Statement
Savings Account, you can save
more conveniently with Save-O-
Matic, a free service that auto
matically transfers money from
checking to savings. You choose
the amount and frequency of
the transfer.
Plus, get cash anytime you
want with a Wachovia
Banking Card.
With a Statement Savings Account,
you’ll automatically get a free
Banking Card that lets you with
draw cash, make deposits, and
check balances anytime day or
night, 7days a week, at any Teller IT
Your Banking Card also puts you
in touch with Quick Access 247
a free telephone service that
keeps you up-to-date with your
accounts from anywhere in the
country, day or night.
You can invest
in a Wachovia CD.
For as little as $500, you can
enjoy the security of putting your
savings in a CD, a safe way to
earn a high yield on your money.
Giving you many ways for
your money to work hard for
you. That’s The Wachovia Way.
THE WACHOVIA WAT
Wachovia Bank & Trust
Member FDIC