When you’re laying off employees,
standard practice is
for another manager
(usually someone from human resources)
to sit in.
This person doesn’t say anything
(and if it is a human resources person,
probably better that they don’t).
She’s just THERE.
Why?
John Roberts, Former CEO of Roberts United Utilities,
states
in Hiring And Firing
(LES50NS from Harvard Business Press)
“If you’re at all concerned
about that person leaving that interview
with a different view of
what was said than the one that you have
and perhaps taking you
or the business to court,
taking further action,
then my strong advice
would be to have a reliable witness.”
In this litigation happy world,
don’t lay off solo.