the hire and fire blues

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2006-03-07 8:31 PM

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Elite
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Reno
Subject: the hire and fire blues

Who else has the power and responsibility to hire and fire people?  Anyone do it well?

I just had to tell someone I am not hiring them back after the seasonal lay-off. She had excellent technical skills and a good work ethic, but treated people badly and made everyone hate working with her.   She could not work well with other supervisors, and spoke badly of anyone not on "her" shift.  I could not have anyone from another shift come on and help her during busy times, because she would treat them badly and then speak ill of them, even if they were the best at what they did from the other shift.  She was 50 years old and had done this at her other jobs too, I find out much later after hiring her.

Well, I feel like dog poop.  I can't stop thinking about it and see it is my failure as a manager that I couldn't just capitalize on what she did well and manage her difficult personality better, not that a 50 year old woman doesn't have the responsibility to manager herself.  To give and take work is just too much responsibility - I can't help but think about her financial situation.  I hate my job.

2006-03-07 8:38 PM
in reply to: #363720

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues

Mary:

Been there and have beat myself up on it too ... sometimes people are their own worst enemies.  One thing to remember is that you cannot control who they are or what they say, despite how much you like them or admire their skills.

Further, superior skills and a strong work ethic do not make up for the lost productivity + sour work atmosphere created by a poor attitude + communication skills.

Don't beat yourself up too much for making what you believe to be the right - albeit difficult -decision.

bootygirl - 2006-03-07 9:31 PM

Who else has the power and responsibility to hire and fire people?  Anyone do it well?

I just had to tell someone I am not hiring them back after the seasonal lay-off. She had excellent technical skills and a good work ethic, but treated people badly and made everyone hate working with her.   She could not work well with other supervisors, and spoke badly of anyone not on "her" shift.  I could not have anyone from another shift come on and help her during busy times, because she would treat them badly and then speak ill of them, even if they were the best at what they did from the other shift.  She was 50 years old and had done this at her other jobs too, I find out much later after hiring her.

Well, I feel like dog poop.  I can't stop thinking about it and see it is my failure as a manager that I couldn't just capitalize on what she did well and manage her difficult personality better, not that a 50 year old woman doesn't have the responsibility to manager herself.  To give and take work is just too much responsibility - I can't help but think about her financial situation.  I hate my job.

2006-03-07 9:04 PM
in reply to: #363720

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2006-03-07 10:46 PM
in reply to: #363720

Master
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The real USC, in the ghetto of LA
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues
In my management experience (mistakes I made and learned from), if you have an employee that has issues (what u described) did you coach the person? If no, it should have been addressed. I have fired a number of people, and when I let them go I know that they fired themselves. I discussed their short falls with them, informed them of the consequence. They failed to change, they fired themselves. They key for managers is that the person should not feel “blind-sided” because the issues should have been discussed before.

One of my biggest issues as a manger was confronting and disciplining employees. I grew a lot from a development plan and a great book called “successful managers handbook” (PDI) that is great at helping train managers out of their individual weaknesses.
2006-03-08 7:00 AM
in reply to: #363720

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues

I know this is a cliche, but I've been hiring and firing people for 10 years and it helps me deal with the fact that I know how devastating losing this job is to some of their lives. 

Don't worry about how crappy you feel now.  Worry when you don't feel crappy anymore.

2006-03-08 7:28 AM
in reply to: #363720

COURT JESTER
12230
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ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues

I remember reading a study of the Top 20 reasons people are fired and Technical Ability was way down about 15.   The  Number 1 reason was Attitude and Personality conflicts.

So, if that survey is accurate.....You Are Normal !!!!

Relax and rejoice in the fact that you don't have to deal with her crap anymore. 



2006-03-08 8:55 AM
in reply to: #363803

Expert
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Sarnia, Ontario
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues
tyrant - 2006-03-07 11:46 PM

In my management experience (mistakes I made and learned from), if you have an employee that has issues (what u described) did you coach the person? If no, it should have been addressed. I have fired a number of people, and when I let them go I know that they fired themselves. I discussed their short falls with them, informed them of the consequence. They failed to change, they fired themselves. They key for managers is that the person should not feel “blind-sided” because the issues should have been discussed before.

One of my biggest issues as a manger was confronting and disciplining employees. I grew a lot from a development plan and a great book called “successful managers handbook” (PDI) that is great at helping train managers out of their individual weaknesses.


I agree with Tyrant.
I am new to management (2 years). The hire/fire thing is still new to me.
But the above is basically my attitude.

Do I still feel bad, sometimes. But as managers we have a job to do too, and this is part of it.
2006-03-08 9:12 AM
in reply to: #363720

Extreme Veteran
584
500252525
coastal NC
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues

I have to do it with contractors and I didn't renew two of them last year, one for lack of deliverables and the other for something similar to what you described. Personal and social skills are key in a work environment; studies commonly show that people prefer to work with an average-skilled but friendly coworker or boss over a highly-skilled but unpleasant one.  Doesn't mean I didn't feel guilty, especially since the one guy's wife had just had a baby. Still, he didn't listen to me the three times I coached him about necessary performance and deadlines, and actually got rude to me--no dice.


You did the right thing, and if she's still behaving like this after that many years in the work place, she's got issues bigger than you need to handle. THat's the work of the paid counselors.

Hang in there.  

2006-03-08 10:24 AM
in reply to: #363720

Elite
3972
200010005001001001001002525
Reno
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues

I would talk to her, she would mellow out for a while.  

Then it would escalate again. 

During the lay-off period, when I took a small group from several shifts (32 employees to 6) , not including her, the atmosphere was so much better.  When I did not call her back, everyone expressed that they were glad. 

I am going to take a class in people management tomorrow and Friday. 

2006-03-08 12:54 PM
in reply to: #364107

Master
1867
10005001001001002525
The real USC, in the ghetto of LA
Subject: RE: the hire and fire blues
bootygirl - 2006-03-08 10:24 AM
I am going to take a class in people management tomorrow and Friday. 


its good to see you are growing and learning. seriously take a look at the book i mentioned. When i see a growth area for me, i turn to it and it puts me in the direction i need. My right hand person, who im trying get promoted has just started using it, and he is growing so much BC the book is such a great tool.
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