I fired someone today. It was necessary. She was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. There could be major repercussions for our business if I didn't replace her.
This woman was someone I had grown to like over the better part of a year. She is admirable in many ways. She gave it her best shot. We went through many trials and confrontations trying to make it work.
I got frustrated with her. She got frustrated with me. But still, we went through all that together. We got to know each other well. Not the details of our personal lives, but something more essential. It's the kind of thing that bonds you whether you like it or not.
I'm sad. I've been feeling down all week, knowing that the termination meeting was scheduled and unavoidable. I knew that I would have to face her and say the words she'd been dreading. I would be, at least on one level, personally responsible for throwing her life into chaos and uncertainty. Mine was the hand that jerked the rug out from under her feet. I watched her face go blank with shock as she tried to digest the fact that yes this was actually happening.
There was more, but although I write from behind a screen of anonymity, I feel protective of this woman's privacy. I can't bring myself to share any further details of the terrible event.
All I can say is that I took no pleasure in it, except that I'm glad it's over.
10 comments:
{HUGS} It is a devastating thing to happen to a person, but many don't realize that it can be a devastating thing to the person doing the firing too.
Well, that stinks. I hope you will both work through this, even though it will be separately.
If it had to be done, it had to be done. Don't beat yourself up.
Nonono, no details. Being fired is a terrible thing to go through and it shouldn't be shared. I'm sorry you had to be the one to do the dirty deed. It's never pleasant, ever, no matter how necessary it might be.
I hope tomorrow is better for you hon. *hugs*
My partner has to fire a great many people, and it's never easy, but if they aren't doing their properly it has to be done. Life's a bitch sometimes.
Anyway, maybe she'll find a job that suits her much better? As one door closes another one opens.
That must have been hard sweetie. I know how thoughtful you are.
Cxx
It sucks just as much to be the one who has to do it as it is to be the one who receives it.
But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do in order for the company to thrive.
Joe has a point - perhaps this was a turning point she needed and all will be well with her.
I hate that kind of thing, too, though - I had to do disciplinary action many times in my corporate job and stood by while a couple of people had to pack their desks. Awful - sorry you had to go through that.
Awww sorry you had to do that. It's never easy, but especially when you really like the person. Take comfort in the fact that you are a good person, which is evident in the fact that even though it had to be done you still have compassion for the person you had to let go. *HUGS*
It's not a fun process, on EITHER end. I didn't see this when you originally posted it for some reason, but I'm sorry you had to go through it.
I know how both of you feel, and I appreciate how you protected her privacy. It's too hard to find good character these days. You have it in spades.
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