“You’re fired” became two of the most popular words last year after Donald Trump used them on his reality television show. But your store or warehouse is where true reality takes place, and there is a right way to let someone go.

John Kreiss, president of Sullivan-Kreiss, an executive search firm, suggests that you follow these guides:

1. Use the first three months as a “training phase” for the new hire.

2. Document performance conversations in writing. Kreiss says letting someone go often unfolds over several months.

3. Be dignified when firing someone by first giving them an opportunity to make improvements in a given timeframe. If they fail to do so, sit down and “give the news in person,” suggests Kreiss. “Firing someone over the phone, or even worse, by e-mail, is totally unacceptable, and it does happen,” he says.

4. Discuss the termination with the staff that “genuinely need to know about it.” And don’t provide details on what that person did wrong.

5. Take time for evaluation. There may be flaws with your management or hiring practice. Devise a list of questions regarding the company’s training and hiring processes and past employee downfalls, recommends Kreiss.