Some might say every conversation with an employee is difficult – even giving them a pay-rise can turn ‘nasty’.
It’s because people are complicated and bring a whole load of ‘baggage’ with them to every conversation you have with them.
I recently coached a manager who was dreading a difficult redundancy conversation with a particular member of staff. We discussed the individual and his expectations as to how she might react, and then we prepared for what might happen.
This meant that he went into the conversation calm and in control. This paid off, and she went away disappointed, but not devastated or destroyed.
For me, it is fundamental to a good business to treat people with respect – even when you are giving them bad news. Employment Tribunal Judges have come to expect this from employers.
If a manager acts with respect and compassion, then whatever the decision they make they are:
Maybe more important than all of this, they will be able to sleep at night, and hold their heads up high when they go into the business the next day.
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I am a qualified employment law solicitor with over 25 years' experience working for the most part with employers. All businesses are vulnerable to tribunal claims from employees. My firm…
