Firing people: High stress project, you gotta go

I'd go to Australia, but I'm not an engineer. :/

Pay me a nice salary and I will fire all the people you need me to.

I used to hate firing people but now days it doesn't phase me much. If someone is costing me money or not cutting it I send them packing.

So you're giving them these options...
1) relocate to Australia
2) work on another project
3) find another job

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Any way to sugarcoat this?

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Yup! Let them know that its obvious to you that they are not happy with their jobs, or else they would be cutting it, and a new challenge is exactly what they need and it will make them happier. Let them know it might be tough at first but within a couple of months they will be much happier and their family will thank them for it. I would try to get them to quit first by saying that and if they don't you have to let them go.

This used to be my uncle's job. He would go around to different worksites firing people so the managers wouldn't have to. He's kind of an a-hole.

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Some of these folks have been with our company for 20 years and will have to either choose to go to Australia or on another project or not. Any way to sugarcoat this?

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20 years and these folks are not up to speed? Sounds like you or your company has fell down on evaluations. If it took 20 years for someone to see these 4 engineers are screw ups - ball dropped by someone.

It's not the ones that you have to fire in your life that can make it miserable. It's the ones you that you don't.

Let them know you are giving them a new opportunity to find new work.

Hopefully, they all know where they stand (stood), in terms of written documentation prior to being let to and this won't come as a total surprise.

(no message)

I've had to do that. I've also been on the recieving end of it once in a RIF about 12 years ago.

Best thing to do is be honest, respectful and as professional as you can be. Empathetic, but the business realities drive the decision.

If your company provides some form of outlet like other projects etc, then certainly offer that.

Having had to terminate folks for similar reasons, it sucks for the boss too, because typically these are good people, just not the best fit for the team now.

15 years experience:

Stick to the facts
Keep it short
Give them options, if any, and short deadline for decision
Stand up to shake their hand when you've said all you have to say. Don't let it drag out.