How to Tell Someone You Don’t Need Their Help Anymore in an Email

Emails / By

While some help during a task might be appreciated, there usually comes a point where you can compete it on your own without outside assistance.

To tell someone that you don’t need their help anymore in an email, you’ll want to be polite but direct. Explain your reasoning and that you appreciate their help, then thank them and sign off. Politeness and kindness is especially important if you are breaking off a business contract with someone.

Here’s how to politely say that you don’t need someone’s help anymore in an email.

How to Tell Someone You Don’t Need Their Help Anymore

In a business sense, there are two main reasons that you might not want someone’s help anymore. Either that person is no longer doing the job you want them to do or you have found a way to complete that job independently.

In the first case, you are essentially firing that person, while in the second, you are simply moving them off of the project. Decide which scenario applies to your situation and act accordingly.

If the person is no longer doing the job you need them to do or the job they are doing has become unnecessary, the first step is to thank the person for their contributions toward your business. Next, politely inform them that you no longer need their services while stating a specific reason.

Optionally, you might offer to explain your reasoning and answer their follow-up questions by giving your contact information and availability.

If the person is simply being moved off of a project because their portion of it is complete, your first step should be to inform them of this directly, then thank them for their existing contributions. From there you can simply sign off.

Email Templates You Can Use

Here is a template you might use for the first scenario.

SUBJECT: Notification of End of Services

Hello [Name],

Thank you for contributing to [Company] through [Project]. [Describe contributions]. We greatly appreciate your help and insight toward our goals.

At this time, we no longer require your services regarding [Project], and as such, we are ending your involvement in it. This is because [Reason].

If you have questions regarding this decision or would like to discuss it in further detail, you can contact me via [Method] at [Contact Information] during [Availability]. I would be happy to discuss it with you.

Once again, we thank you for your excellent work. [Optional: add “and look forward to working with you in the future.”]

Yours,

[Name]

[Contact Information]

Here’s a template you might use for the second scenario.

SUBJECT: Completion of Your Role in [Project]

Hello [Name],

Given that your part in [Project] has come to an end, we will no longer be requiring your services in that area. We greatly appreciate your contributions. [Describe contributions].

Thank you for your time and effort. We look forward to working together again on future projects.

Yours,

[Name]

The ultimate goal of these emails is to leave the recipient with a good impression of you and your company. Severing a working relationship incorrectly can lead to poor reception and bad feelings between you and the recipient, which can in turn reflect poorly on your business.

While no one likes getting the news that a project they’re working on no longer needs them, as long as you are direct, polite, and clear in your reasoning while acknowledging their role. You should still be on good terms with them, which is good for your working relationship and your business in general.

 

Conor
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