Does your business currently see firing employees as a quick fix? We’re about to change that.
Whilst it might seem like the easy option, there are hidden and often complex factors to this approach that need your consideration first.
In this blog, we’re exploring why firing employees could actually be costing you more money, and sharing how you can resolve any internal struggles without losing staff.
Why Firing Employees is Outdated
In the ever-changing landscape of the modern workplace, the outdated practice of handling internal struggles by firing employees is being called into question. And rightly so!
Let’s face it: this approach is not only behind the times, but it’s also costly to your company in more ways than one.
When an employee leaves, another must be found to replace them. With that comes a whole host of associated costs, from the financial expense of advertising the new vacancy to the time drain of sifting through applications and holding interviews.
Even if your business outsources recruitment, the time saved by your internal team is effectively cancelled out by the additional expenditure on an agency to find the right candidates for you!
And the costs don’t stop there.
Hiring somebody new means investing time and resources in training them. This price tag could take the form of other employees’ lost time spent upskilling your new hire, and/or financial outgoings on relevant learning modules or office equipment.
The Hidden Costs of Firing Employees
Perhaps the most overlooked cost of all, however, is the psychological toll firing employees often takes on the colleagues left behind.
Witnessing a consistently high staff turnover is the catalyst for creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety in any workplace, leading team morale to plummet and productivity to wane. You may even find your people are working in fear that they might be the next in line.
This breakdown of trust between employees and their employer is the start of a slippery slope, one which can do lasting damage to your company culture and reputation across the wider industry you work within.
3 Infinitely Better Alternatives to Firing Employees
Here at HR Star, we believe any business can take the following simple steps to avoid firing employees when conflict arises.
Firstly, try offering mediation between employees if the issue in question concerns two or more opposing staff members. Often, the opportunity to discuss the matter calmly with an impartial intermediary is enough to reach a solution satisfactory to both parties involved.
Secondly, invest in coaching or training any underperforming employees before considering letting them go. Not only will this support them in meeting the objectives you’ve set, but it will also demonstrate commitment to nurturing your team’s professional growth and development.
Finally, ensure you have formal performance monitoring in place, setting clear expectations of your staff and managing your capability process fairly and transparently. It’s no good trying to fire someone for not meeting their targets if they weren’t aware that said targets existed!
HR Star’s Top Tips to Avoid Firing Employees
We’d like to leave you with our top tips for helping your business avoid firing employees, focussing instead on preventing conflicts arising in the first place.
Hire right and you’ll hopefully never even have to consider firing one of your team. It’s okay – preferable, in fact! – to have a thorough and discerning recruitment process, ensuring that anyone who fills your vacancies is the ultimate value-add for your company.
Communicate frequently with and demonstrate regular appreciation for your people to promote a positive working environment. Transparency and gratitude will go a long way towards alleviating any low levels of tension or frustration that would otherwise have the potential to escalate.
Train your managers properly, so they’re equipped to deal with underperforming employees from the outset. Don’t promote people without also providing the support they need to fulfil their new role successfully and with confidence. You’ll thank us later!
If you’d like to chat with one of our lovely team about how HR Star can help your business get out of the firing line (see what we did there?), please don’t hesitate to reach out today.
Alternatively, why not read our previous blog on boosting staff engagement for a better workplace environment?
