Have your ducks in a row. Identify the terminating manager and the human resources person who will serve as witness and explain benefits and severance package. If you're providing outplacement, give the outplacement consultants as much notice as possible. Two weeks advance notice is not too much. When terminations go bad, it is usually because of poor planning.
Bad terminations can result in wrongful termination lawsuits or workplace violence incidents.
Whenever possible, conduct the termination early in the week, say Monday or Tuesday. Early morning is best, but late afternoon is okay too. Avoid Friday terminations because candidates have less access to friends and support resources. Choose a termination date far enough in advance that you can search for lateral transfers to other departments or business units, or notify outplacement consultants, complete paperwork, and cut required checks. Make sure the severance paperwork is accurate.