Firing people is not fun. Not even for me.
My biggest complaint about firing people is that most of you who get fired don’t realize it’s a good thing.
I’m not talking about being “laid off”, of course that’s not a good thing. That means there isn’t any work. No work is not good. Getting fired is different. Getting fired is good.
If you get fired, you get fired for three reasons basically:
- You did something wrong
- You didn’t do something
- You’re terrible at whatever you did
Doing something wrong is the most common reason I will fire you. If you did something wrong, you should be fired. There’s no argument there really. When I fire you for something you did wrong, that’s good because you’re smart and you will learn your lesson and not do it again at the next job you get. I’m helping you out. I’m teaching you a lesson somebody else didn’t teach you before you started working here. That’s good.
Sometimes it’s not your fault. Being fired for something you didn’t do wrong sucks, but it’s a good thing, too. I’ve never fired someone for something they didn’t do wrong, but if your bossman fires you because of something you didn’t do wrong - well… you don’t want to be working for that jerk anyway. Someone who fires you for something you didn’t do wrong will obviously never be able to see your true potential and you would be in a constant uphill battle during your tenure.
If I fire you because you are absolutely horrible at what you do, that’s a good thing. This might be the best reason for me to fire you and you should be extremely happy if I fire you for this reason. Chances are good you’re totally wasting your time doing what you’re terrible at. You would be much better at something else, I’m sure. That’s why I’m firing you for being so bad at what you’re doing. I’m trying to help you out and move you along to something bigger and better.
So next time I fire you, just smile and think of it as a going away present.
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Bossman, you mentioned that the losers at my deli have “peaked”. Perhaps if they had a boss like you, years ago, who fired them because they fell into one of the categories you listed, they would’ve gotten fired and been forced to change their line of work and made something out of themselves.
Firing people can also be like dumping a lover. You give that person (and yourself) a chance to find someone different and start over.
The forests generate immense heat and cause their own forest fires to burn away old rotting crap that takes up precious space in nature to make room for new life. Bossman, you are like Mother Nature; an all powerful being of delicate beauty and intricate madness, and at the same time a ruthless raging force prepared to wipe the Earth clean in order to start all over again.
Yes, DBlock, I rock. I am a force of nature, like fire in a forest.
sounds like bossman is doing an about face sence a little compasion do we? Hmmmm
the bossman Ive seen before would never fire someone he would make life so misserable for them they would quit.
Actually most people get fired not becuase they cannot do thier job but because they cannont get along with others they work with.
Mark on October 1st, 2007 at 12:12 pm | Link
@Mark, I’m very compassionate. DBlock, my friend and future director of personnel, is the one that called me a “cigar smoking prick“.
I never make things miserable for people who work for me. Working for me is so good people should pay me to work here.
I consider not getting along with others at work part of any job description. If you can’t do that, you’re a combo firing. Refer to #1 and #3 above - “you did something wrong” and “you’re terrible at what you did”.
Oh wow. I had totally forgotten about calling you a prick.
I want to comment on people “getting along” at work. To some extent, it’s necessary, but as people get to know each other from seeing the same people everyday, relationships form and fall apart. You will develop an opinion about every person you deal with on a regular basis. That opinion will either be positive or negative. Regardless of what the opinion is, it alters your interaction with that person. Still regardless of the opinion, it effects your business.
I happen to work really well under the supervision of managers that I absolutely hate. While the managers that I’m friendly with, I tend to joke around with more often and know how far I can go with my laziness.
I’m working on getting along with the hot girls at work, this effects my performance because I’m more focused on them, than the company’s business. If I was not attracted to them, or hated their guts, or they were married/unavailable, I would work more diligently.
My point is: Being on friendly terms with coworkers/supervisors may not be the best thing for a business.
Exactly Dblock… the old saying familiarity breeds contempt has some reason behind it. While not being close freinds (fair weather friends, BBQ on saturday etc.) with your bosses you still must find a way to get along with bosses, subordinates, coworkers etc. you must find a niche in which to be a team member, to get along to live in peace, or at least to not clash. If you can’t do this you will be fired, yes even bossmans will be fired as his customers/cleints or in the case of a docter patients, will figure this out and no do business.
This concept is exactly why I will not hire freinds or usually family. Just too much expectation, they know your weekness and how to exploit them and why loose a friend or piss off the family in order to do them a favor by hiring them!
Mark on October 2nd, 2007 at 8:25 am | Link
I agree with Mark: “Actually most people get fired not becuase they cannot do thier job but because they cannont get along with others they work with.” If someone in power doesn’t like you..no matter how well you do your job…you’re screwed.