I Have To Fire Somebody Tomorrow

She's a really nice woman, but she just doesn't do her job. She spends the day talking on the phone with her friends, visiting others in their offices, and ignoring important files that have been forwarded to her. I feel so bad because she is a single mother of three and really needs this job. However, the complaints are piling up and I have covered for her more than my other employees (which has increased the resentment among her colleagues who have to cover for her).

I really hate to have to do this. I really need some good vibes right now.

Q

Has she been talked to before about her productivity?

I've had three evaluation meetings with her where I pointed out the relevant issues and she promised to improve. It never happened and now I am under a lot of pressure to get rid of her. I HATE having to do this!

Q

It does suck, but I am sure a more productive employee will come along to take her place.

And perhaps, she will land in a position that is more suited for her skills.

A good written warning goes a long way.

Either way, I'm sorry you're having to go through this.

Three times.

Q

Lousy position to be in, but still, it is your position.

in the butt that she needs to be a more productive worker with whomever she ends up with.

I am co-ordinating a meeting for her with a local temp agency to arrange employment for her. I really like this woman and the last thing I want is for her to be destitute.

Q

Like I said, hopefully she takes it as a positive and refocuses her energy in the right way. You might just be that kick she needs to get back on track.

Rather than someone competent but a jerk/thief/etc.

:sigh:

Good luck.

This woman was responsible for a 14.5 million dollar budget and she was very honest. I audited all of her financial transactions and found nothing wrong at all. But that was never the issue. It's her work ethic that I (and many others in my department) had with her. She just ignored important files while other employees in my section were forced to pick up the slack because of her negligence.

Q

about her welfare than she does. If she was concerned she would have at least made an effort to turn her job performance around. She could have at least shown some good faith effort by staying off the phone.....but did she....NO! You have an obligation in your position, as uncomfortable as it may make you feel to eliminate obstructions in the work flow. If you don't, then you aren't doing the job you are being paid to do. As long as her short comings have been pointed out to her, she was given every opportunity to turn her performance around and she still did not do it, then you have no choice.

I found when I had some administrative responsibilities, that there are some people who just do not like their jobs. Instead of quitting they'll play out the whole progressive discipline routine until they are fired, That way they may get some separation pay, and collect unemployment. If they quit they don't get anything.

Keep your head up. At the end it is about YOU or HER, I mean, you could lose your job over this (assuming it is not your company of course).

is looking for a job. Maybe this is the chance they've been waiting for!

:P

you've given her a fair shake and she is not putting forth any effort - there are too many people looking for work who are willing to work hard for you to put up with such nonsense endlessly.....I know it feels bad though