Guide to firing volunteers

Librarian in the raw's essential tips for firing a volunteer


1. Always use the phone, Always. It's always easier when you're not face to face with the firee.

*If you are firing a teen volunteer go through their parent and tell them why. Most parents know their spawn aren't perfect and are willing to accept your decision.

2. Always be vague when firing a volunteer. For instance: I'm sorry but I'm going to have to end your volunteer service because:

- we don't have any work available for you. Which is diplomatic speak for - you are unable to folow simple directions you freakin idiot!


- we are cutting down on our volunteer workforce. Which is diplomatic speak for -we'd rather have the extra work that have you grace us with your ineptness.

- we have a backlog of volunteers on our waitlist and we must give them the opportunity to volunteer. Which is diplomatic speak for - go away so that we can train somebody with a brain and the common sense to use it.

Of course if you are firing a person doing community service that's different. You can be as honest as you like without actually using profanity, getting personal or nitpicky.

These are the phrases I like to use for the most common terminating offenses:

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to terminate you because:

- It's just not working out.
- You can't seem to get here on time so we can't give you hours.
- You lack motivation.
- Your attitude is unexceptible.
- The staff is not willing to work with you.