Failing to invest time, energy and preparation into separation conversations can lead to various negative consequences for the impacted employee, their team, and the organisation. Here are some potential consequences:
01
Loss of trust and respect
If the separation conversation is not conducted face-to-face or on a video call, it can create a perception of insensitivity and lack of respect. This may cause the impacted individual and wider team to lose trust in the organisation and leadership, damaging the organisation’s reputation.
02
Negative employee experience
Poorly prepared and scheduled separation conversations can create a negative employee experience. The impacted employees may feel disregarded and undervalued, leading to feelings of resentment and anger.
The ripple effort on the broader team is significant.
03
Privacy breach
Inadequate consideration of meeting room privacy or video call settings can result in a breach of privacy. If the conversation is overheard or not kept confidential, it can lead to further emotional distress for the impacted employee and potential legal issues.
04
Reputational damage
Mishandling separation conversations can result in negative word-of-mouth and online reviews. Terminated employees might share their negative experiences on platforms like Glassdoor, damaging the company’s reputation and making it challenging to attract new talent.
05
Legal implications
If HR procedures and legal requirements are not properly followed during the separation conversation, the organisation may face legal challenges, such as wrongful termination claims or breach of employment contract.
06
Negative impact on remaining employees
When separation conversations are not handled with care, it can create fear and uncertainty among the remaining employees. They may worry about their job security, show signs of low morale and feel their psychological safety is impacted.
07
Loss of productivity and engagement
Poorly managed separation conversations can lead to a decline in overall employee morale, engagement, and productivity. Employees may become disheartened and distracted, affecting their performance.
08
Employee relations issues
Mishandled conversations can lead to strained employee relations and damage the trust between employees and leadership. This can have long-term impacts on team dynamics and collaboration.
09
Attrition of valuable talent
A negative experience during the separation process may prompt valuable employees to consider leaving the organisation, further exacerbating talent loss.
10
Missed opportunities for support
Inadequate preparation and scheduling may result in missed opportunities to provide necessary support services like career transition assistance, leaving impacted employees feeling unprepared for their next career steps. Resulting in poor health, emotional and financial implications.
You can plan well and deliver your key message consistently, but always remember that person in front of you is human and use that as your compass.