 |
By Karen Wetzel | Editor
If you’ve ever had to dismiss an employee, you know it’s one of the most dreaded responsibility for leaders. The old saying, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you,” comes to mind because it is often filled with apprehension, anxiety, and guilt for even the toughest bosses. But, you can make it easier on the employee and yourself if you’re well-prepared and have confidence in your decision.
HR experts agree you should make a habit of documenting all employee Issues. The Indeed Editorial Team suggests: “If you plan to let an employee go, you need a specific reason why, and it must comply with state and federal laws”. Ingvill Walmann Byrkes at the Law Depot agrees that documentation will support you during the decision-making process as well as a potential court case. He also recommends you consider how the dismissal might affect the work environment, company finances, and customer relationships.
Once you have decided to move forward, you need to have a plan. BambooHR experts, Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte recently conducted a webinar entitled How to Let People Go – A Guide for HR and they, along with webinar participants discussed best practices. Highlights of the webinar discussion, as well as insights from wine industry pros, are below: Prepare: |
- Build a script and keep things as simple as possible.
- Wine industry veteran Michelle Egan of Egan Wine Consulting says, “I always come prepared with all my notes and practice the night and morning before. I don’t want it to feel rehearsed, but I don’t want to it feel like it was just thrown together either. This is their life, so be sure you’re prepared with all the answers they (the employee) may have”. (Click here for a helpful Offboarding Checklist from BambooHR)
- Assess potential security risks.
- Get insights from the employee's direct supervisor and plan for any scenario.
- Egan recommends having another person in the room to help with questions and, importantly, witness the meeting “in case things go sideways”.
- Be sure the employee cannot record the meeting.
|
- Avoid Friday terminations, especially for employees without local support from family and friends, as it might mean they are alone in a quiet home for an extended period of time.
- Remember, you are in charge of the conversation. State what is happening. Be brief, upfront, and clear. If the employee starts to push back, respectfully reiterate that this is a final decision and not a negotiation.
- Review your checklist items so the employee has clarity as to how things will proceed.
- “When an employee is being downsized, give them time to ask questions and be ready with the answers. They most likely did not see this coming,” said Egan. “For other types of termination, it is likely not a surprise. Best to make it a quicker conversation.”
- Control your non-verbal cues and body language. Watch out for the urge to shuffle papers, laugh nervously, roll eyes or cross arms.
- Be firm but kind. Listen and allow the employee to speak without signs of judgment.
- Send them off with words of encouragement and thank them for their contributions as well as remind them to take advantage of any outplacement or unemployment benefits offered.
|
- Show compassion and respect. If they are distressed, ask if you can call someone for them. Ask if they have transportation home.
- Calmly walk with them to their desk and out of the building (if applicable).
- Discretely collect any company-issued property (laptops, phones, cars, etc.) or make arrangements to have them collected at an agreed-upon place and time. Offer them the option to have their personal things packed and sent home for them.
- Discretely communicate the news to relevant team members.
- Change security information and log-ins if needed.
|
A few other do’s and don’ts: |
- Logistics can be challenging when terminating an employee who works remotely. In the article, Viral TikTok Video is a Lesson on How Not to Fire Workers, Jack Kelly of Forbes.com warns us just how risky it can be. Terminating someone via a web meeting opens the door for the employee to record their termination and share it on their social media platforms, and not in a good way.
- In another Forbes.com article, Job Cuts by Email are Tech’s Latest Digital Pink Slip, they highlight the perils of email dismissals going viral as well.
- Always be cognizant that today’s virtual technology is full of cameras, microphones, and screenshots that can be used in retaliation by a terminated employee.
|
The bottom line is this: Be prepared, be direct but respectful, and be careful. |
Metrics from the Winejobs.com Index, which tracks the rise and fall of job postings at wineries, retailers, and distributors: |
|
|
 |
US Department of Labor
Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule To Increase Compensation Thresholds For Overtime Eligibility, Expanding Protections For Millions Of Worker
The Biden-Harris administration today announced a final rule that expands overtime protections for millions of the nation’s lower-paid salaried workers by increasing the salary thresholds required to exempt a salaried bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employee from federal overtime pay requirements.
HR Brew
FTC Issues Final Rule Banning Non-compete Clauses
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to issue a final rule on April 23 banning employers from using noncompete clauses in employment contracts.
North Bay Business Journal
CEO of Domaine Carneros says developing human capital is key to retaining skilled employees
Remi Cohen, the CEO of Domaine Carneros Winery, prizes human capital. She cultivates her employees with as much precision and care as her premium grapes. The keynote speaker at the North Bay Business Journal’s Wine Industry Conference Tuesday told 200-plus attendees that mentoring programs and strategic planning for success improves retention and builds resilience.
HRDive
EEOC finalizes pregnancy accommodation rule
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced on Monday its final rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, clarifying that abortion is included under “pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions” that are protected under the PWFA.
Fresno State News
Jordan College uncorks new wine business degree
A new Fresno State wine business degree, being introduced by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in fall 2024, will help prepare students for an array of jobs in the ever-growing and renowned California wine industry, which employed 36,000 people in 2020. That number is almost twice what it was 20 years ago, with more than 40% of the nation’s wineries found in California.
WineBusiness.com
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers: Fostering the Next Generation of Wine Industry Leaders
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers' goals are to foster young professionals already working and living in the Napa Valley, position the Napa Valley as a career destination for aspiring wine-industry professionals, and cultivate strong connections with the leaders of tomorrow. To ensure the long-term viability of grape growing, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has developed new initiatives to foster the next generation of wine industry leaders.
North Bay Business Journal
Meeting fatigue: How to avoid workplace drain on energy and time
Meetings are such a problem that Steven Rogelberg wrote a book, titled “ The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance.” “Anyone about to hit send on a meeting invite needs to ask themselves two questions: 1) does the meeting have a compelling purpose? 2) does that meeting require active collaboration?” said Rogelberg, a meetings expert and professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. “If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, hit send. If not, stop, think it through, and determine if there is actually a need to meet or if another form of communication is sufficient” such as a phone call, email, or instant message.
HR Brew
Expectations vs. Reality: When High Salary Expectations Meet Low Hiring Budgets
Economic uncertainty, smaller pools of qualified candidates, and shrinking budgets, oh my! HR managers are facing some dynamic challenges in today’s new era of recruiting. But one topic always remains relevant, especially throughout job market changes and economic instability: compensation.
WSJ.com
Leisure and Hospitality Employment Is Back at Pre-Pandemic Levels. What Happens Next?
Leisure and hospitality are back. Four years after a pandemic sparked sweeping closures and widespread layoffs across bars, restaurants, and other businesses, employment in the leisure and hospitality sector has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The sector added 49,000 jobs in March, pushing employment back to February 2020 levels, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Leisure and hospitality, along with private education and healthcare, have accounted for 1.5 million of the 2.9 million jobs the U.S. has gained in the past year.
|
Upcoming Events:
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
May 16-19, 2024
Healdsburg, CA
Auction Napa Valley
May 31st to June 1st, 2024
St. Helena, CA
Food + Wine Classic
June 14-16, 2024
Aspen, CO
American Society for Enology & Viticulture National Conference 2024
June 17 to 20, 2024
Portland, Oregon
Vinexpo America
June 24/25, 2024
Jacob K. Javits Center, NYC
Festival Napa Valley 2024
July 13, 2024
Meritage Resort, Napa |
|
|
|
|
