Firing an employee is never pleasant and can sometimes be tough. While some people don't kick up a fuss when they're fired, others can be more difficult. Some people even get aggressive or hold a grudge against you or your company.

If you're about to fire one of your employees and you know they aren't going to take it well, then getting them out of the building as quickly as possible will be your main aim. However, you have other things to think about before they leave such as collecting any keys they have to your offices.

You should make this a priority if you don't trust the employee or worry that they will do something stupid after they leave. What's the best way to handle this?

Ask for the Keys

Even if your employee is angry, they'll probably simply give you the keys when you ask for them. If they say that they don't have the keys with them and have left them at home, then things get sticky. If the employee has friends at work, ask one of them to drive the employee home and pick up the keys when they get there.

Give a Warning

If your employee refuses to hand over their keys or to give them to a co-worker, then ask when they will return them. If they won't commit to a time, remind the employee that the keys belong to the company and need to be given back.

If your company handbook or contract with the employee states that all company property has to be returned before their final wages will be paid, then remind the employee of this. If the employee still refuses to cooperate, then you could tell them that you'll inform the police if they don't return the keys.

Minimise Security Risks

If you have any delay in getting your keys back from the employee, then consider changing your office security. For example, if you have an alarm, reset the code. If the employee were to try and use their keys to get into the office, the alarm going off may be a deterrent.

If you don't have an alarm or worry about not having the keys, then contact a local locksmith and ask them to rekey your locks. Remember, you'll only need to do this for any entrance doors that the employee has keys for; internal door keys aren't so much of a problem if the employee can't get into the building.

For more information, contact your local commercial locksmith.