So I ended up firing the employee at 9am Monday morning, which led to a
different direction than I thought it would.
Essentially I thought there was going to be a screaming match and
accusations about how could I do this to them, etc, what have they ever
done wrong.
Instead the employee broke down crying and started confiding in me that
their life sucks, they can't keep relationships, and they don't know
what to do and they need help.
After about 30 minutes of talking I took compassion and offered the job
back with the following stipulations:
* Bad behavior has to have punishment - 2 weeks unpaid leave of job
* On return, we immediately sit down and re-work job position so it's
more of a work position vs a management position and have clear
expectations of what may and may not be done/said as well as what
behavior will not be tolerated.
* There is a very short leash for the next few months during which time
we will be having weekly meetings to review behavior and progress as
well as if at any time I see behavior that is inconsistent with what
needs to happen we will immediately stop whatever is going on and go
talk about it.
I still don't know if I made the proper decision. I labored over the
firing all weekend making sure I was making the right decision and not
in haste, then made the decision Monday morning that it was a 100%
firing there would be no other outcome -- but it seemed like there was
genuine repentance and remorse and desire to get their life fixed (vs
just "crap I lost my job").
As someone who's ultimate goal for any employee is that they become a
better person both at work and in their personal life, I felt like I
would be doing this person a disservice if I sent them on their way and
said "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed" but did nothing for their
physical needs.
I figure time will quickly tell of the desire to change is genuine or
not, and as long as we have clear expectations and rules laid out what
harm can there be? The employee did do good work that I myself hated
doing, their ability to interact with others was just...... severely
lacking.
I think this may have been the "rock bottom" event some people need in
their life to smack them upside the face.
Thoughts?
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