If you had a staff member whose employment had to be terminated, how would you handle the situation?

How to Answer
Entry Level
Answer Example
Experienced

Anyone working in a supervisory/management position knows that one of the dreaded parts of that job is having to terminate employment. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable performing the difficult parts of management.

"Being new to management, I have not yet had to terminate anyone's employment contract. I have to say, it is the one thing I do not look forward to. Nevertheless, when the time comes that I must, I believe I will be fair and as sympathetic as the situation allows."

"Terminating employment is one of the dreaded parts of being a manager, but sometimes it just has to be done. Whenever I am faced with having to terminate employment, I like to look at the whole situation, what led up to this point, and make sure I have documentation ready before calling an employee in. I like to talk to the employee and go through the reasons a decision was made for termination, give the employee an opportunity to ask questions/give feedback, and have all appropriate paperwork signed."

"Unfortunately, with my years of experience, there have been more than a few times I have had to terminate a staff member's employment contract. Although I always try to be cool-headed and calm, the reason for termination often sets the tone for the meeting. I like to make sure I have appropriate paperwork ready before calling the employee in, including a copy of the employment contract. I like to give a detailed explanation of why the choice to terminate was made and give the employee an opportunity to make a statement, preferably in writing, and give him copies of the appropriate paperwork."

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How to Answer: If you had a staff member whose employment had to be terminated, how would you handle the situation?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Medical Manager job interview.

5. If you had a staff member whose employment had to be terminated, how would you handle the situation?

How to Answer

Anyone working in a supervisory/management position knows that one of the dreaded parts of that job is having to terminate employment. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable performing the difficult parts of management.

Written by Darby Faubion on December 11th, 2018

Entry Level

"Being new to management, I have not yet had to terminate anyone's employment contract. I have to say, it is the one thing I do not look forward to. Nevertheless, when the time comes that I must, I believe I will be fair and as sympathetic as the situation allows."

Written by Darby Faubion

Answer Example

"Terminating employment is one of the dreaded parts of being a manager, but sometimes it just has to be done. Whenever I am faced with having to terminate employment, I like to look at the whole situation, what led up to this point, and make sure I have documentation ready before calling an employee in. I like to talk to the employee and go through the reasons a decision was made for termination, give the employee an opportunity to ask questions/give feedback, and have all appropriate paperwork signed."

Written by Darby Faubion on December 11th, 2018

Experienced

"Unfortunately, with my years of experience, there have been more than a few times I have had to terminate a staff member's employment contract. Although I always try to be cool-headed and calm, the reason for termination often sets the tone for the meeting. I like to make sure I have appropriate paperwork ready before calling the employee in, including a copy of the employment contract. I like to give a detailed explanation of why the choice to terminate was made and give the employee an opportunity to make a statement, preferably in writing, and give him copies of the appropriate paperwork."

Written by Darby Faubion

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