I had to fire someone today. Never liked it, even when the person needed to be fired. This person had a drug problem and wasn't reliable. The sad part was he knew he had a problem and did the rehab thing. Because I am a nice guy I held his job while he was at rehab hoping he was the 1 in million that rehab would work for. He lasted until he got his first paycheck on Friday, then I didn't see him until today at 11. Then was surprised when he was fired. Like most he couldn't get away from the bad after he got out. Now I have to wonder is he going to come back and do something stupid.

 

It doesn't matter whether you're a business owner or in the position to fire someone, most of the time it is always hard.

 

I remember every one I fired, never a good feeling before or after, but it has to be done, otherwise the whole company will suffer, and it can be catastrophic for a business if ignored..... Tedd

 

Hi Larry,

I felt for an employee and kept him on, he eventually cut his thumb off (hungover). He now has his big toe for a thumb. Changed his life and mine.

 

Ouch The paperwork and the inspections would have made me crazy.

We had someone fall through the side of a glass greenhouse. It was a mess more ways than one.

 

This type of situation is just one of the reasons I respect business owners. Kudos to you for giving the person a chance, rest easy knowing that.

 

Never easy .I owned a construction co. for 45 years and had quite a few problem employees
some firings got physical. Hell I fired my own son several times. Some realize they screwed up and others look at you and can't believe you are firing them.

 

Not a pleasant task but everyone I let go IO should have let go much sooner

Most i wish I'd never hired [some I wish I'd never seen]

You're really doing the good people a favor

 

I feel for the OP, he has a conscience. My employer's human resources dept. fires people at the drop of a hat, even if it's likely to be overturned on arbitration, since we have a union. I think they do this to send a message. Having said that, then there's the few problem employees that still seem to get away with murder, either because they know someone, or they are fantastic BS"s. If it's an abusive manager, they get away with a lot if they are difficult to replace. I just have to shake my head sometimes.

By the way, I know people who've been fired after giving 2 week's notice that they're leaving. Why would a business owner do that to a reliable employee? Is he insulted, does he feel guilty for not treating that employee well? I know there's two sides to every story, but I've heard of this so many times, I just have to ask, since the subject has been brought up.

 

Personnel is always the most difficult aspect of running a business. My wife had to fire her father after a number of mistakes as well as not wanting to accept her directives. The OP showed courage and compassion, hopefully one day the former employee will understand.

 

One school of thought is that with some employees, (certainly not all) once they give notice, they become paperweights. I have seen cases where once an employee gives notice, things start to disappear. They may also be inclined to badmouth the company and possibly try to lure others to do as they have done,. In circumstances like that, it is often better to cut the cord right away. Interesting some times that a so-called quality employee becomes less-than once they decide to leave.

 

I unfortunately fired many over my career, always after many many chances and conversations to help them. Once we got to that point after all the chances and help I had given them, it wasn’t fun but emotionally I was done with them so it wasn’t a real burden. We gave most so many chances it was ridiculous..People choose their path ,however the first response they have is always to blame you..

 

I never accepted 2 week's notice from a bad or good employee, I told them to pack their little box and leave at that point for the above reasons.

 

Loyalty is a past tense trait both ways. We will see what genZ and genAA and genBB figure out, heck of a deal.Hmm

 

Then a good employee should never be considerate and give notice as a courtesy, he should just not show up anymore, is that what you'd prefer?

 

Apparently you've never experienced the amount of dissention a good employee can cause in their final 2 weeks.

 

No, apparently not.

 

I had that happen to me once, got fired for putting in two weeks notice.
After that when I wanted to go to another job, I just quit abruptly.

 

I had to fire a young lady one time. She lived only five minutes from work and was always at least 30 minutes late every day. I would write her up with a warning and she would be on time for about a week, then back to being late. No drugs or booze involved just could not get up in time. I found I was every thing but a white man.

 

I lead a crew of 11. Its amazing how a single person can ruin an otherwise efficient and happy crew. Getting rid of some employees is a real treat. There is never any joy in the process, but it can be a real reset for everyone else.

 

I wish they would fire some people at my work, but I also wish they would realize some people who complain about being treated badly are not bad employees at all, but, rather, are right.

 

If their is mutual respect and understanding then an employee should offer two weeks notice and maybe they stay two weeks? but expect to be asked to leave right away. It should be understood on both sides. The employer should decide. It used to be that people were grateful for a job and opportunity and would work real hard to show appreciation. They wouldn’t want to leave their employer in a jam and maybe two weeks would help find a replacement or a chance to re-organize. Burning bridges was a bad thing. The cancer someone can spread and damage they can do in their last two weeks can be damaging. If they dont want to be there then its not good for either party.

 

I had no problem firing employee who was drunk, on drugs, lazy, lying, stealing or incompetent. ASAP.

It was hard for me to fire guys with families. And would give them time to find another job.

Great worker for a long time, but had mirror mental problems. They had to put his mom away a few times Give him every break a could. At the end his disability made him unable to do his job. Very sad! Was a really good guy.and knew his job well.

 

Never had a problem with people giving 2 weeks. They continued to work for me with no problem.