I had to fire someone yesterday.

[Magic Maik]

Seems like you were very patient, there are a lot of bosses out there who are malicious, you just come across people who take advantage of others, I hope this doesn't harden your heart.

I don't know how your country is but sometimes you have to get fired before you can claim benefits. if you quit you get nothing.

Sounds like he was a bit lazy though and just didn't like the job.

 

[Timby]

I don't know how your country is but sometimes you have to get fired before you can claim benefits. if you quit you get nothing.

The social safety net in the United States is utterly turbofucked as it is, but unemployment benefits vary by state. Generally speaking, however, if you or your former employer indicates that you quit or you were terminated for cause, then an unemployment claim will be automatically protested and trigger an investigation.

This is why, in this country, it is important to keep a paper trail of any communication you ever have with an employer when it comes to your status. Since almost every state in the US is an at-will employment state, it's very easy for unemployment benefit claims to be challenged and denied.

 

[urbandefault]

Haven't had to to that. I've had people quit/leave to another job had one guy basically walk out, but never "fire." Never document their infractions, get enough of them, fill out a termination report, have him sign it and then say goodbye.

I feel bad. His wife just lost her job, they have a small kid and another one on the way; but I was under pressure from my bosses to do this because this guy wasn't working out. Great worker just problems with attendance and making it to work on time. Only thing that kept him so long was that I needed him as a set of hands more than I didn't. He did a goid job here.

But I shouldn't have to call/text you to remind you you work or ask if you're coming in. The ice he was on lasted longer than it should have. So, my bosses were tired of the slack and, basically I can work 12 hour days until we get the replacement in and trainend.

Sigh. Such is life.

Coming in late here, but I recently retired after being in a hiring/supervisory position for years.

It ain't easy being the boss. You just do what you have to do.

I've been fired from jobs over the years. Nothing I didn't ultimately deserve.

If firing this guy results in his becoming more responsible, you've done him a huge favor.

 

[PoorSailorsAirline]

I've been fired from jobs over the years. Nothing I didn't ultimately deserve.

If firing this guy results in his becoming more responsible, you've done him a huge favor.

Sorry, I'm late too. But to this point, being set off on another path in one's working life can be upsetting, but more often than not, I've seen it have positive outcomes for the business, the team, the manager, and maybe most importantly, the person being shown the door. I've spent most of my career in HR or doing things very HR-adjacent, so I've seen it from a few different angles. One person, who had to be dismissed for cause, had a very hard time with leaving. I just heard from a friend of a friend that that terminee is now thriving and doing great in a similar role in the same industry - they just weren't a good fit for our group. I was honestly so happy to hear that and know they landed on their feet instead of muddling through making life tough for their boss, their colleagues, and ultimately themselves. I know I was stunned when my position got pandemic'ed away overnight, but it set me off onto a new path I never expected to go down but am truly enjoying now.

Now then, there are of course the times when you really don't feel that badly: harassment/abuse/bullying, blatant theft, insider trading, that sort of thing, is a very different discussion than one where you're trying to talk the employee into how they can improve and contribute to the team/project/their own career aspirations...those talks are hard when there's a precedent-setting line about to be crossed and I never envy managers in those situations.

The fact that OP is even thinking about this person even after separating their employment, shows they're probably one of the better, more human-centric bosses out there...

 

[Skipper]

This sort of thing is why I don't think that leadership positions interest me at all. Ten or fifteen years ago, I would have certainly thought it was a natural goal to work towards. These days, in my mid-thirties, not sure I want the extra hassle and headaches of supervision, discipline, and politics that can be involved.

Well, you have to make other people's lives miserable in order for your company to earn more and managers to collect their rich bonuses.

The American Dream!