Can You Lay Someone Off Nicely?

Question

Everyone knows that employees are more productive if they're happy in their work environment -- so why can't you apply the same logic to someone you're sending away from your workforce? That's exactly what one company is doing.

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HopeLab is a tech company in California that aims to make people feel good when they're about to get fired. In one example, the company put together a "Thriller"-themed flash-mob to lay off an employee who was apparently a big fan of Michael Jackson. In another instance, the company laid off a group of employees by having a big party with tacos and balloons.

Chris Murchison, the company’s vice president of staff development, calls it "the good in the goodbye" and says that layoffs can actually be a "fascinating opportunity to think about how to enliven people." Murchison says that HopeLab wants the individual being let go to really succeed in their next venture, so they try to make the layoff as positive as possible.

What do you think about this strategy? Can you really lay someone off in a positive way? Or is this just a superficial way to make the company feel good about what they're doing?

Answer 1

Answer 2

Merci. Qui a également été.

Answer 3

In some cases it can turn out to be a *******....I had heard thu the grapvine my company was down sizing..I was last hired...mmm you know how that goes.

Called into the office and got the news, BUT in this case my Boss had found me a job already!!! I followed that lead when I got promoted to Boss in the new company.

I have had to fire and lay off many employees..I always used the most respect towards them during that process. Not always a happy ****** but it did release alot of anger they may have wanted to show towards me.

I did have one employee come back with her Mother to beat me up LOL LOL No kidding!! Like I said not always a happy ******..

BUT sometimes it does pay off...years later when I moved, I went in for my interview and THERE sat a great guy who I had to lay off years ago.

He said during the interview he never forgot how kind I was over the matter and I got the job.

So be careful how you burn those bridges..

Answer 4

Employers/Supervisors don't have to have a nasty attitude when firing someone.

Answer 5

I got the "notice" about a year and a half ago. Thing is, I was thinking about turning my hobby into a full time job and quitting in about 6 months later. The thing I wish would have been: "You've got one more week". Instead of: "grab your coat, we'll ****** you to the door and you can get your stuff later." After being there for over 7 years that felt rather harsh. The last week would have been helping some of my co-workers get up to speed on some of my projects (I had an office job), packing up my stuff nicely and giving away stuff I didn't really need in my new ventures and saying goodbye to co-workers that I really didn't have contact with outside of work, but might need their advice at some time.

There were a couple people on my team that did get a few weeks to a month after the notice so it could have been doable.

Answer 6

No matter how tactfully handled, being fired is always **** on the ego!

Answer 7

Answer 8

This is the only thing you've got to say. It is weak.

Answer 9

My bad I didn't know it was the only thing you can say.

Answer 10

If the boss is empathetic then it wouldn't be so bad. It's better than a boss who screams at you at the drop of a hat. Being laid off is doing you a favor.

Answer 11

You just said that you political fool.

Answer 12

I'm not political.... FOOL

Answer 13

I am not political....
FOOL.. Seriously Seriously Seriously

Answer 14

You can certainly be courteous, but the net effect will still be unpleasant.

Answer 15

You should have asked "is it possible to .... "

So, sorta kinda, it is.

Last year, 200 out of our 1600 employees where laid off due to cutbacks. The company provided us with a hefty severance package (more than what is required by law), and help in finding a new position. That help enabled me to get a new job real quickly. In fact, for about two weeks, I was employed at two firms, and drew a double salary.

Answer 16

When it is made known that the business is having to cut back,and that it is not personal.

Answer 17

I've done it, and have had it done to me. I was so cordial with one boss who laid me off that he hired me back in another position--as supervisor over the guy who got me canned.

Answer 18

I do my best to make it as painless as possible. Still and all, fired is fired and unpleasant.

Answer 19

It's not personal, it's just business..........

Answer 20

But no matter how nice one tries to be, being laid off or terminated is NOT a pleasant experience, for the doing it and the one to whom it is being done.

Answer 21

If they'll let me otherwise if they have to go they have to go.

Answer 22

I have done so many times

Answer 23

just ask obama, he's done it millions of times

Answer 24

Like giving them at least a couple of months advanced notice.

Answer 25

OR NOT!!!!!!

Answer 26

I fired someone just last week from the secretarial pool. She literally did nothing the entire time she was employed with us except drink coffee and gossip. She wasn't too happy about it, but when I nodded to the stack of work she had hidden in a desk drawer, she went pretty peacefully. Have a party for her? I wouldn't have wasted the time or the money.

Answer 27

True enough, some people "fire themselves," as in the case you describe. I've had to fire and layoff a number of people ... never liked it but had to be done.

Answer 28

Yup

Answer 29

Good News . . . There's an exciting, new opportunity and position made just for you / Bad News . . . it's not with this company . . . Best of luck!

Answer 30

You can do anything nicely if you choose to. Many people aren't healthy and confident enough to do so, but it can be learned.

Answer 31

No, not unless for some strange reason they want to be laid off

Answer 32

If it includes a huge severance package especially if near retirement.

Answer 33

You can put maple syrup on s**t, but it's still s**t.

Answer 34

yes

Answer 35

Ive suspended employees while investigating but I've never been in the position of terminating anyone. In the companies I've worked for only HR could do that. I knew one HR Director that was so smooth he would almost have people thanking him.

Answer 36

If they get a partner company to give you a equal or better job, and tell you about it just before giving the ax. like say, think of it as being transferred not getting axed.

Answer 37

It's possible, but it rarely happens.

Answer 38

It is absolutely possible. Been there experienced that.
Reading through the comments, I see several people who are a bit confused between the very different concepts of *being laid off and *being fired. I have been laid off twice. I have never been fired. I have also worked short term (temp) jobs which had a termination date that was known in advance.