Melbourne, Mar 4 : While recession-hit companies are increasingly issuing pink slips to their employees, a recent survey has detailed a list of dos and don''ts on how to lay off workers.

The survey, by the US-based Human Capital Institute of more than 300 global corporate executives, has produced advice on best and worst practice to lay off workers.

And the etiquette guide includes practices like not cutting more staff than necessary, doing it in one go, not laying off on a Friday or before a holiday and not keeping staff in the dark.

Tina Radford, managing director of Brisbane-based HR Business Solutions, has also advised that a firm that lays off an employee should have IT staff disable the staff member''s email or change computer login details while the redundancy meeting takes place.

"This will avoid any emotive emails being sent to clients or the company and may prevent the leak of confidential documents or intellectual property," the Courier Mail quoted her as saying.

She also said that a company laying off staff should not avoid paying redundancy entitlements.

"These are owed to the employees by law," she said.

Radford also advised that the employee should be offered a "career transition program" if the budget permitted.

She also recommends that if need arises, redundant employees should be helped to get home.

"If the employee has a company car, don''t forget to organise an alternative means for them to get home - don''t leave them stranded," she said.

In her opinion, employees being laid off should be advised in one-on-one meetings in a private place.

"Be compassionate," said Radford. (ANI)