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Firing People by Zach Holman People don’t talk about getting fired. We come up with euphemisms: "I’m funemployed!", or "I’m looking for my next journey!" That’s strange, when you think about it, given that it’s a fairly normal event that happens from time to time. But mostly it’s tragic, because unless we start talking about firing and getting fired, we can’t begin to start improving this very real — and often very painful — process. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/IG21/
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In his talk titled "Firing People" at BathRuby 2016, Zach Holman addresses the often-ignored topic of termination in the workplace. Holman notes the euphemistic language surrounding firing—phrases like "funemployed"—and points out the emotional and practical implications of being dismissed from a job. He reflects on his own experiences with firing, stressing the importance of discussing this difficult subject openly. Key Points Discussed: - **Importance of Discussing Termination**: Holman emphasizes that firing is a normal event that is seldom talked about, which hinders improvement of the process. - **Employee Offboarding**: He connects the manner in which companies offboard employees to their overall culture and values. - **Personal Experiences**: Sharing his own story of being fired from GitHub, Holman illustrates how even those who seem secure in their jobs can be unexpectedly let go. His experience involved miscommunication and a lack of transparency in the termination process. - **Need for Better Practices**: He critiques the prevalent advice to "fire fast" without considering how the process affects the individual and the importance of creating a performance improvement plan (PIP) to communicate expectations prior to termination. - **Impact on Remaining Employees**: Holman discusses how coworkers react to someone getting fired and the importance of maintaining professional discussions without resorting to gossip. - **Aftermath of Firing**: He outlines logistical considerations post-termination, such as handling access to sensitive information and ensuring emotional clarity for the departing employee. He highlights the complexity of navigating severance, healthcare, and other benefits after leaving a job. - **Building a Positive Culture**: Finally, Holman concludes with the idea that organizations should foster a supportive community even after employees depart, enhancing alumni connections and community support. In summary, Holman's talk is a call to treat termination more humanely and to improve communication about it, both for those being let go and their colleagues. He encourages a shift in workplace culture to recognize the realities of firing in a compassionate manner, which can help preserve relationships and create a healthier working environment.
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