Being fired: unpleasant by nature, but in reality more unpleasant than necessary. The results of the 2026 termination report from the HR software company HR Works show that there is still a need for improvement here. A total of 6,093 employees in Germany were surveyed, of whom 825 were laid off in the past five years. As it turned out, in two thirds the termination discussion lasted a maximum of ten minutes. Most of them said it was just five minutes.
A total of four different ways of dismissal were identified among those surveyed. 8 percent were fired by telephone, 11 percent in a digital video conversation, 22 percent in writing and 59 percent of those affected were fired in a direct personal conversation.
For those who were dismissed in a personal interview, the severance payment was also clarified. During these discussions, which lasted a maximum of ten minutes, two thirds even accepted and signed the first severance offer. There was hardly any time left to discuss the reasons for the termination in more detail.
Reasons for termination remain unclear to many people
The quality of the conversation often suffers due to the short duration. Only 34 percent of those affected were able to express their point of view and the reasons for the dismissal were not always clear to everyone. Only 42 percent said that the reasons for termination were explained to them in a comprehensible manner. Explanations are similarly often completely missing. A total of one in seven people who were laid off received no explanation for their dismissal.
But the general approach in the conversation is also not perceived as particularly positive. Only 45 percent felt they were treated with respect and only 28 percent felt the conversation was conducted with empathy.
Terminations: HR present in every third conversation
In some circumstances, greater involvement of the HR department could be advisable. According to those surveyed, this is only present in every third conversation. In addition to this direct involvement, the resigning managers could be better prepared for the dismissal interview:
Tonia Schöler is a volunteer at Human Resources.
