MGT 301: Business Communication Strategies for Conveying Bad News
Use General Words
Too harsh: Our records indicate that you were recently fired from your job.
De-emphasizes harsh statement: Our records indicate that your employment status
recently changed.
Too harsh: Our company health assessment indicated that several of you are overweight and in
need of an exercise and diet regimen. That’s why we created Eat Well Move More just for you.
De-emphasizes harsh statement: For interested employees, we are excited to offer an Eat
Well Move More health incentive program.
Too harsh: People are coming to work in blue jeans and T-shirts—it looks totally trashy. Stop it!
De-emphasizes harsh statement: In order to keep the workplace professional we ask all of you
to refrain from wearing jeans and t-shirts at work.
