"Fire with fairness. Lead with integrity."

Take the fear out of firing—master the mindset, methods, and mechanics of ethical employee termination like a true leader.

This course gives you the tools to lead with strength when letting go is the right call. You’ll learn to plan, execute, and follow up on terminations with professionalism, legal awareness, and empathy. Designed for real-world challenges, each module moves you from preparation to performance with practical strategies. Whether it’s setting up a PIP, managing emotions, or conducting exit interviews—you’ll know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it well. Say goodbye to uncertainty. Say hello to confident leadership.
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Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Create and implement a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) to support employee development before termination.

  • Identify behavior and performance patterns that indicate when an employee should be terminated.

  • Prepare and manage a termination meeting with the correct logistics, tone, and support.

  • Apply positive, precise, and professional communication when terminating an employee.

  • Execute terminations early in the week to maintain company morale and minimize conflict.

  • Use checklists to ensure company property, access, and benefits are handled properly post-termination.

  • Avoid legal and ethical pitfalls by knowing what not to do during the firing process.

  • Conduct respectful, insight-driven exit interviews to gain valuable feedback.

  • Prevent post-termination risks by securing system access and escort protocols.

  • Reflect on best practices that reinforce respectful and responsible offboarding.

Course curriculum

    1. Learning Goals

    1. Overview

    2. Providing Rationale

    3. Confirm the Necessity

    4. Worksheet: || Why use a PIP

    5. Key Elements to Add

    6. Express Appreciation

    7. Worksheet: || Being Grateful

    8. Scenario Exploration

    9. Module 2 || Review Questions

    1. Overview

    2. Sense of Entitlement

    3. Activity || Recognizing Entitlement Traits

    4. Worksheet: || Characteristics of employees who feel entitlement

    5. Inability to Fulfill Job Duties

    6. Poor Team Collaboration

    7. Worksheet: || Employees who cannot perform their job functions

    8. Overpromising and Underperforming

    9. Worksheet: || Characteristics of Employees Who Overpromise and Under Deliver

    10. Scenario Exploration

    11. Module 3 || Review Questions

    1. Overview

    2. Clear Disrespect Toward Customers

    3. Activity || Identifying Customer Neglect

    4. Unreliable Behavior

    5. Worksheet: || Characteristics of Employees Who Have Disregard for Customers

    6. Noncompliance with Code of Conduct

    7. Misuse of Company Property

    8. Worksheet: || Characteristics of Employees Without a Code of Conduct

    9. Scenario Exploration

    10. Module 4 || Review Questions

    1. Overview

    2. Participants in the Meeting

    3. Worksheet: || Meeting Attendees

    4. Choosing a Meeting Location

    5. Considering Security Measures

    6. Managing Meeting Logistics

    7. Worksheet: || Example of Logistics

    8. Scenario Exploration

    9. Module 5 || Review Questions

    1. Overview

    2. Maintain Positive Communication

    3. Worksheet: || Being more positive

    4. Revisit Prior Feedback

    5. Focus on Observable Behaviors

    6. Schedule Terminations Earlier in the Week

    7. Scenario Exploration

    8. Module 6 || Review Questions

About this course

  • $85.00
  • 98 lessons

  • Study Model

    Self-Paced

  • Duration

    6 – 7 hrs

  • Accreditation

    CPD Accredited Certificate Included

  • Skill Level

    Beginner - Intermediate