I had attended a meeting recently in one of multi billion project Monthly Progress Meeting. The Project Team involve various organisation.
In your opinion, should a PM of the Project mentions the reason of termination of his staff openly in the Meeting? And why he did that? What is the impact to this terminated staff especially in pursuing his/her career in the future? I am in the opinion that an announcement of staff leaving is more appropriate.
Appreciate your kind contribution. Saving Changes...
Such sensitive information should never be shared in public - the terminated staff might have grounds to sue the company and/or PM for such behavior. It's reasonable to indicate that someone is no longer on the project or with the company but that's as far as it should go. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Agree with Kiron in principle, however, it is on a case by case basis.
1. I will never share personal information.
2. Aside from personal information, there could be justification to notify the team of the termination. Further, if there is a lesson to be shared - then I would touch on the general category for the termination not - the specifics.
3. Must do it in a professional manner so it is not viewed as gossip or slandering
4. Immediately kill the rumor mill Saving Changes...
MARK A ANNUNZIATA, SrVP/EXPERT CONSULTANCY TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY| ROMAN STRUCTURES, INC WELLINGTON FLDammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Gentlemen-
In my world (Saudi Aramco, USACE, Royal Commission) a progress meeting is never the venue to "air the dirty laundry" by announcing a team member departure. This is damaging on so many levels, including to the staff member involved. As a Construction PM I have participated in many Recruitings and Terminations. I have never terminated staff in public. In fact, in some instances, removing a non-performing staff member does not mean that person cannot perform in a different environment. I have written recommendation letters for some employees I have terminated.....and been satisfied that I made the correct choice to improve my team without destroying a career in the process. However, I did make the Termination move without hesitation.
Dear PMP peers, thank you so much for the opinions. Are we guided somewhere in PMI Code of Conduct how to address this professionally? Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Oct 04, 2017 4:35 AM
Replying to MARK A ANNUNZIATA, Sr
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Gentlemen-
In my world (Saudi Aramco, USACE, Royal Commission) a progress meeting is never the venue to "air the dirty laundry" by announcing a team member departure. This is damaging on so many levels, including to the staff member involved. As a Construction PM I have participated in many Recruitings and Terminations. I have never terminated staff in public. In fact, in some instances, removing a non-performing staff member does not mean that person cannot perform in a different environment. I have written recommendation letters for some employees I have terminated.....and been satisfied that I made the correct choice to improve my team without destroying a career in the process. However, I did make the Termination move without hesitation.
M
Mark,
I do not think the question was about terminating an employee in public. It was whether to share why an employee was terminated.
Also, we need to distinguish between termination for poor performance or termination for "cause", which means something important that can stand in the court of law.
Therefore, away from ideals, if you caught an employee stealing or taking bribes and you fired them, you would not tell the team that the person was terminated for ethical violations? Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
From the perspective of the Stakeholder, simply sharing the team member is no longer with the team, moving on to new opportunities, or no longer with the organization is sufficient. No specifics or details from there should be mentioned or shared. Aside from the professional and moral reasons, there is no need to give reason for the stakeholders to question the efforts and quality of the project team or cause concern over the work that has been performed thus far, or even damage the trust relationship. Saving Changes...
MARK A ANNUNZIATA, SrVP/EXPERT CONSULTANCY TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY| ROMAN STRUCTURES, INC WELLINGTON FLDammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Sir-
I appreciate your point of view, however I would point out:
1) You are guessing at facts not in evidence.
2) please examine my "dirty Laundry" comment. It has been my experience that these issues are never discussed in a public forum-ever. Regardless of the circumstances, these employee related situations make everybody look bad- regardless of the circumstances.
3) yes- I have experience with major projects Progress Meetings where Stakeholders have opened up the subject of Project Manager decisions regarding Staff. My response is usually along the line of exercising my best PM judgement regarding my staff.
(obviously, I will agree to meet "off the record" and privately with a key stakeholder to alleviate any concerns-without crossing confidentiality requirements/borders)
4) the PR is the primary focus- I have followed these practices even during egregious cases of Staff Member Bribery, Theft, Coercion.
M Saving Changes...
MARK A ANNUNZIATA, SrVP/EXPERT CONSULTANCY TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY| ROMAN STRUCTURES, INC WELLINGTON FLDammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Andrew-
You are very wise...................
M Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
We never tell the team the departure reason of a colleague. We simply "wish them well in their next endeavours".
If the departure was for cause, we will start project or initiative to ensure we improve on our processes or services, as/where necessary.
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1 reply by Mayte Mata Sivera
Oct 04, 2017 12:15 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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We used the same formula, doesn't matter if he/she was terminated, promoted or he/she is pursuing another opportunity.
Only in case of the team was a lot of concerns or there were rumors about an upcoming layoff, we gave few more details.
