Terminating an employee

This one is always fun.  Be prepared for an onslaught of threats.  I would say about 99 percent of your firings end with threats, foul language and zero accountability.  Maybe it is a blue color mentality. I like to give a person a few chances before letting them go.  I try to coach them as much as possible.  You would think that providing feedback would encourage professional growth.  You will have issues like not coming to work on time, doing shitty work, not cleaning up, listening to offensive music on the job, smoking in a customer’s home, and not showing up at all.  I even had one person show up for work drunk once.  For the minor offenses, I give a second or even third chance.  You can only go so far.  More importantly, when the person refuses to take accountability for their actions you can’t afford to continue down that path. 

Terminating employment sucks but it is a necessary evil.  Just be sure to document the hell out of everything to cover your ass.  Hell, one time I fired a person in his mid-20’s and his mother called me and cussed me out and threatened my business.  It gets very interesting. I can’t believe I even allowed myself to entertain that phone call. 

You don't have to always immediately jump to termination. As a business owner and leader it is your responsibility to be a coach, a mentor, and provide guidance. On the other hand, the employee needs to be receptive to coaching and guidance. We all make mistakes. Mistakes allow us an opportunity to learn and grow. The person that has not interest in positive feedback will not make a good long term employee. We will always have room for improvement.