I have an employee that needs to be let go based upon performance. I’ve been contemplating this for three to four months and finally decided last week to act. The day I made that decision I left the office early to travel and did not return until the start of this week. I did not communicate my intentions before leaving. Now, this employee has been out all week for a medical emergency, and the timing of their return to the office is unclear. I will be traveling all of next week again. I may not see this employee until nearly three weeks after I have decided to let them go. When I do see them it will have occurred after recovery from a serious and emotional medical situation. My office is aware of this employee’s situation but not my intent to let the employee go.

I want to be sensitive to the employee’s personal medical issues. Upon learning that they’ve been fired, this will likely compound an already difficult personal situation.

At the same time, I need to move on and get a replacement.

I want to have a face to face discussion with the employee to break the news. How long after the employee is back in the office at the same time with me do I break thenews? I’m thinking about two to three days of overlap in the office before breaking the news.

Thoughts?