“You are fired”: how to say it politely
Why it can fall flat
“you are fired”
“You are fired” lands as a verdict rather than a plan, since it gives no reason, date or next steps, so it sounds like an attack even when the speaker is upset. The writer should instead say that employment ends, when, the brief reason and what happens next.
Say this instead
- 01
Dear Monica, as we discussed today, your employment ends on Friday, June 19. This is because your performance did not meet the standards for the role during your probation. HR will email your final pay details.
Someone you manage · Email
Confirms a meeting that already happened and gives the reason plainly, with no personal criticism.
- 02
Dear Neha, as we discussed today, your role is being made redundant and your last working day will be July 31. This is a business decision and not about your performance. HR will send the full details.
Someone you manage · Email
Separates the role decision from performance, so the reason cannot be misread after a meeting.
- 03
Hi Rory, I need to speak with you about your employment. Could you meet me and Camila from HR at 3pm today in Room 2?
Someone you manage · SMS
Sets up the in-person meeting only, because the decision itself belongs face to face and not in a text.
- 04
Hi Camila, I told Rory today that their employment ends on Friday, June 19. Could you send the written confirmation and final pay details?
Coworker · Chat
Hands the paperwork to HR right after the meeting, while the details are still fresh.
- 05
Hi Mr. Harding, I have decided to end our working arrangement from June 30. Please let me know if you have questions about wrapping up the current work.
Client · Email
Suits a freelancer or supplier ending a client relationship, since it states the decision and date with no blame.
- 06
Hello Kavita, we are ending our agreement with your agency, effective Friday, June 19. Please stop sending candidates for our open roles from that date.
Recruiter / HR · Email
Fits the end of work with an external recruiter, as both the date and the required action are explicit.
- 07
Dear Mr. Hall, we have decided to end our service agreement with you, effective June 30, because of repeated breaches of our terms. Your account will close on that date.
Customer · Email
Fits a customer relationship that ends after earlier warnings, giving the reason and date with no insults.
Examples
Dear Alfie, As we discussed this morning, your employment ends today, Friday, June 19. This follows the written warnings in March and May about repeated late arrivals, and your attendance has not improved since the final warning. HR will email you about final pay and returning equipment. Regards, Kunal Mercer
Thanks for your time on the call just now, Leo. To confirm what we discussed: your last working day is Friday, June 19. The written notice will follow by email.
What to avoid
- Delivering the news by text, chat or email first is a mistake, so tell the person live and use writing only to confirm.
- Softening the message until it sounds negotiable, such as “we might need to think about your role”, leaves the person confused.
- Personal criticism, jokes or comparisons with colleagues have no place here, so stick to the reason and the date.
- Promising references, payments or benefits that HR has not confirmed creates problems later.
- Announcing the decision to the team before the person has been told is unfair to them.