Employee Terminations

EMPLOYEE TERMINATIONS WITH DIGNITY

As a Human Resource Professional, chances are you have or will soon enough have, the unenviable responsibility of terminating the working relationship with an employee. Ideally, the termination proceeds cordially and without incident. If the terminated employee is able to depart with dignity intact, and both the financial and emotional implications for the employee remain manageable, there is a lesser likelihood of retaliatory or adverse reaction. However, as the 2014 Ceridian Canada stabbings illustrate, there is no sure way of knowing which employee termination will turn violent.

INDENTIFYING EMPLOYEES THAT POSE A THREAT DURING OR AFTER TERMINATION

It is difficult to identify in advance those individuals for whom the stress of termination will prove too much. The following is a list of some key indicators that an employee has the potential to pose a threat to management, other employees, or company assets.

  • A problem employee who is disgruntled or resentful
  • An employee who has made threats
  • An employee who has a bad temper or “short fuse”
  • An employee with a history of aggressive or violent behavior
  • An employee with a history of blaming others
  • An employee who is experiencing financial difficulty
  • An employee who is overburdened by domestic issues
  • An employee who has untreated substance abuse issues

REDUCING RISK FROM EMPLOYEE TERMINATIONS WITH CIS PERSONNEL

Regardless the history of the employee, many of our clients opt to proceed with caution and retain the services of one of our experienced security personnel. CIS security personnel are available to be on-site during the employee termination and are competent in de-escalating aggressive behaviour. Depending upon your requirements, our security personnel will either remain in the background, ready to respond if called upon, and monitoring the employee’s departure; or, will be visibly present and active in escorting the terminated employee to retrieve personal belongings and then from the premises.

In suspected high-risk situations, CIS recommends that investigative personnel maintain surveillance on the terminated employee for a duration deemed appropriate to the situation and our executive protection personnel are also available if required.

Contact a CIS representative to discuss your options to secure your employees and facility during your next employee termination.