I hate letting people go. It’s the least favorite part of running a business.

This is what I’ve done, and it’s not honest but seems to work nicely: First, give him a heads up that things are going to change by the New Year. That you are revamping the company. That money is tight and you’re letting people go or cutting salaries.

Hire an intern or young person to be his assistant. Now, deep in his heart of hearts he knows that he’s not doing a good job. Knowing that he may only have a few months and that there’s new blood that could take over his job ~ You should expect great improvements!

Then, at the beginning of the New Year, say that as he knows, change has come. That you are giving him a new, smaller job with a smaller salary or letting him go. If you’re lucky he will already have moved on or improved so much the meeting isn’t necessary!

OR! Bite the bullet and say, “It’s not working”.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Inky.