Firing a CDPAP caregiver can be a stressful thing to do. You have to do what is best for you and your family, but it can be a challenge to fire someone. There are some ways to fire a caregiver that are better than others.
Read on to find out some techniques you can use while firing a caregiver that is no longer needed or is not working out! With these techniques, you can respectfully and properly terminate your caregiver.
How to Fire a Caregiver
Identify the Issue
The first thing you should do is identify the issue with the caregiver. Is the issue something that can be fixed with proper communication and time, or is the issue a serious issue that severely affects everyone involved?
Once you have identified the reason you plan on firing your caregiver, tell someone else. Talk it over with someone not involved in the caregiver and patient immediate care plan. Maybe a close friend, sibling, spouse, or therapist!
Make sure that it is someone you trust who can give you sound advice and help you deal with this.
Establish Clear Expectations
The second thing you should do is to establish very clear expectations with the caregiver. If you identified the issue, have you spoken to the caregiver about that issue in the past? Is it an issue that can be solved with clear and healthy communication? If you can, it may be better to try and solve the issue.
You cannot expect someone to change behaviors if you do not let them know there is an issue. If you cannot solve the issue, or someone is in danger of getting hurt, then do not give the caregiver more time to fix it. If abuse is involved, fire the caregiver.
Create a paper trail
Thirdly, make notes of when you have discussions with the caregiver. Write down what you talked about, what you said, what they said, and any details. If they say they will work on fixing the issue, then make a note of that.
With the caregiver’s permission, you may want to take an audio recording of the meeting so that you both can have clear copies of what was said, what is now expected from the caregiver, and any details and agreements that were made.
If you have to discuss the same issue with the caregiver more than twice and the issue still is not solved, then you should let the caregiver know that if they do not comply with fixing the issue, they cannot continue to work for you and they will be let go.
Make a Decision and Plan It Out
Fourth, make your choice about what to do with your caregiver and plan out what actions you will take to let them go. Arrange a time to meet with the caregiver that does not impede on their work or yours.
Have a backup plan in place so that you are not left scrambling to find a caregiver on short notice. Remember that it may take time to get a new caregiver, so plan accordingly.
Have the Talk
Being diplomatic can sometimes be confused with being willing to compromise. Do not waver from your decision. Do not let the caregiver talk you out of your choice to let them go.
If you need moral support, it is okay to have someone else there, but do not make it seem like you and your supporter are ganging up on the caregiver. Make sure that the caregiver is allowed to talk and be diplomatic.
Stay Strong, but Be Compassionate
Be understanding, compassionate, and respectful, but do not become wishy-washy, uncertain, or swayed. Stay true to your choice and follow through with it respectfully and strongly. Keep the conversation short and to the point. Try not to let the talk drag on and on.
If possible, have the conversation at the end of a business day. If you can, give notice or severance pay. Never withhold their payments for work they provided before they were let go. That is illegal.
Answer Unemployment Questions
Find out what the legal aspect of letting your caregiver go is. If you are letting the caregiver go because they are not doing their job well, they will not qualify for unemployment. Yet there is a chance that in some cases, they will qualify for unemployment, so do your research and figure it out.
Make sure that you do your legal research, especially if there are contracts or written agreements between you and the caregiver.
Deal With Final Payment
Final payments are usually due by a certain date after a worker is let go. Find out what the final payment deadlines are in your area and for your caregiver. You can usually find this kind of information in labor laws.
Make sure that you pay the caregiver by the deadline to avoid legal issues.
Offer a Recommendation
If you are letting the caregiver go and you want to write them a recommendation, offer one! Offer to help them find a new placement that might be better suited for them if you can. If you do not have any bad blood or issues with the caregiver, do your best to help them find new work.
Be polite but do not waiver on your choice.
Ask for Personal Items
Make sure that you get all personal items back, including house keys, car keys, credit cards, or any other personal items you gave to the caregiver to aid in their job.
Give a token of appreciation
If the situation fits, offer the caregiver a small token of your appreciation. Just a small meaningful gift that lets them know you are thankful for the work they did.
Signs of a Bad Caregiver
Some signs of a bad caregiver are as follows:
● They refuse to supply references, a home address, or do not allow a background check
● The senior they care for has unexplained bruising, infections, or illness
● The senior they care for seems afraid of them or does not like them
● They ignore the senior they are caring for
● They do not work with an agency or company but work “solo”
● They do not have references that match up with what they told you
● Something seems off and fishy
Firing someone isn’t easy, but with these techniques, you can handle it like a pro!