You've made the decision to fire or lay off one of your employees, and you've done all the groundwork needed to document and justify your actions. What's the best way to break the news? Read on for some time-tested advice on how to conduct the actual termination meeting to do what you have to do, minimize your own discomfort, and make things as easy as possible on the departing employee.

• Preserving the employee's dignity
• Setting up the termination meeting
• What to say and do at a termination meeting
• How to handle voluntary resignations