Now a good time to fire your trouble makers?

With the downturn in the economy many managers are faced with the task of deciding who gets rif'ed because of business slowdown.  So is the opportunity to get rid of that "pain" employee? Be careful!

I don't mean be careful because of HR or legal issues, I mean be careful that you don't cut your own throat getting rid of the people you'll need most in a tough market.  Sometimes the same issues that makes an employee a "pain" to manage, is the same issue that makes them an asset when the house is on fire. 

Think it through thoroughly.  Look at the metrics and decide on facts, not who you go to lunch with.  Take into consideration of the real costs to your company and what they produce.  I've seen it many times with national companies that really don't have a handle on the happenings in a branch take a knife and cut both wrists and their own neck, just for good measure.  I've seen small owner operators get rid of recruiters and sales people that had lasting negative effect that cost them their companies. 

Truth be said, if you were operating effectively already, it's best to accept a down year in revenues and keep the whole team.