To "let someone go" is a phrase used to describe the act of terminating someone's employment or allowing someone to leave a job or position. This gently worded expression is often employed to soften the impact of delivering unpleasant news or to show empathy towards the individual being dismissed. It suggests that the decision to end the person's employment is coming from the employer or the person in authority.
When an employer chooses to "let someone go," it generally means that the employee is being released from their duties due to various reasons such as a decline in business, performance issues, redundancy, organizational restructuring, financial constraints, or disciplinary matters. The phrase can also imply that the employee is being given the opportunity to seek other opportunities or move on to a more suitable position elsewhere.
The act of letting someone go involves terminating the employment relationship, including halting salary or benefits, and revoking access to company resources or facilities. It often entails carrying out a formal procedure, which may include providing the employee with notice, severance pay, or other entitlements, depending on the employment laws, contractual obligations, and company policies in place.
In the context of personal relationships, "letting someone go" can also refer to the process of ending a romantic partnership or friendship. It suggests a conscious decision to release someone from the relationship, typically implying a desire for distance or separation due to incompatibility, changing circumstances, or unresolved conflicts.
