February 22, 2005

  • How Hard can it BE!!!


    OKay when I left out of here this morning I had three things on my agenda.  Two meetings that I'm looking forward to and one in which the object is to fire a member of my team.  How HARD could that POSSIBLY be.  Right? 


    He's not fired.  I tried!  I kept a solemn face and used the right words.  "This is not working out ... you and I have not been able to come together on our understanding of teamwork ... I think that it would be best if you move to an independent role in the company ... "  But at the end of the day - he's STILL here!?!  He thanked me for clearing the air. 


    My air isn't feeling very clear. 


    Sigh - the only thing that I have going for me is that when I realized that my problem wasn't going to go quietly into the dark night, I gave him a sterner look and told him that if it breathes - its my responsibility.  Whether it's a client, another team member, a realtor or the janitor who comes into the office to check the thermostat he is not to directly address that person.  His role is ( if that person is so foolish as to address him ) to look at me and nod a LOT while I deal with the living.  He is to keep his eye firmly fixed upon his computer screen. 


    Does it seem that I was harsh?  I WANTED to fire him.  I MEANT to fire him.  I TRIED to fire him.  I'm disgusted.  I feel like a wimp. 


    It's probably illegal in all 50 states to say WHY I want to fire him, but the short version is that his people skills suck.  Last week, in fewer than five days, he managed to anger, irritate, and alienate both the processors, my boss, two realtors, a client ... and ME.  If you manage to get on MY bad side, you were working at it pretty hard. 


    Oy Vey Voy! 


    I have another meeting here in a few.  I'll try to get back later and leave some of those comments that I was feeling so good about earlier.  (I still don't have a computer in my office, it's on order.  So it will be a few more days before I can appear to be hard at work yet play around on Xanga between meetings.) 


     

Comments (7)

  • I am in a supervisory position in which one of my job requirements is to lay people off when it comes time to down size. I know how difficult it can be to tell someone they are no longer employed. After doing it for years, I don' t feel so bad for the one's I am ready to see go. It hurts though, when I have to let good people go.

  • You have to say something like, "I feel bad for you, but I warned you, and now I have to fire you."

    :)   Hope that helps!

  • Please do NOT say, "I feel bad for you." The best approach, and the least likely to result in a lawsuit, is to approach the situation professionally - volunteering neither passion nor prejudice, etc, la la la. Human Resources is a complicated, dangerous grey area and any extraneous comments could lead to trouble.

    All that said, I wanted to say thank you for coming by and checking out my new blog. It's a pleasure to join you here in "Xangrila."

    - RP

  • Good luck....

  • My wife had to fire an employee a year or so ago.  Even though the person really needed to go, it was still a very difficult thing to do.  It just shows that you do care, not that you are chicken.

  • ((Terri))

  • Letting someone go is very difficult.  You have good advice from Radical Personality.  HR laws are in place to help us avoid lawsuits in these situations.  You can feel bad - just don't say it.  You have to remain professional, but be very clear - if you want, we can practice once or twice - you can fire me, to prepare you for the eventual conversation.  And remember, the actual conversation to let someone go should last no longer than it would take a standard matchstick to burn.  Very professional, no arguments, very matter of fact, something to the effect of:

    In light of performance matters that we have previously discussed, I am terminating your employment with the company effective today.  Here is your final paycheck/vacation.  If you would like to talk with an HR representative, you can call back later to speak with ......  at this number.  Because employment is ending, I need to escort you back to your desk for you to collect your coat/keys/purse.  Please call back later to schedule a time to stop in to pick up the remainder of your personal effects.

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment