No, it&#x27;s not firing.  Firing would be telling that employee their attitude and&#x2F;or output made them a bad fit and it was time to go.<p>This is the manager explaining that unless that changes, it will be time to go, and giving the employee the choice between changing it, or a gradual way to leave that benefits both parties.<p>It&#x27;s not rationalizing anything.  It&#x27;s being responsible to her position (keep the best people working in the best environment possible) and to her employee (treat employees with respect even if they don&#x27;t fit)