CloudyHead Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I have an employee who told me he has applied for another job and has an interview for new job in two days. He stated "I'm not quitting" but if he gets the job he will take it. Then he asked "Am I fired?". I've never encountered this situation. Usually someone quits or there's a termination. I'm inclined to let him go as at this point it is obvious he is seeking employment elsewhere and the writing is on the wall. Thoughts?
Art_Critic Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 my guess is that he doesn't know that a firing for cause won't get him unemployment, make sure your ducks are in a row and fire him. His attitude at this point will affect the others in your organization. 1
K.K. Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Is he fishing for a raise maybe? Don’t fire him, then you’ll have to pay him unemployment lol. It has to be a really good cause for him not to get it. Like calling you a dick bag or something like that. Feel it out, see if he gets the other job. He won’t, then you can laugh at him. ( no don’t do that..that’s not cool)
alphamale Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 jettison his employment because he's already been disloyal
schlumpy Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 If he can be replaced easily then let him go and seek his fortune elsewhere. If his job is one that takes months to learn to be effective at then you may want to find a stop-gap solution. This is bold behavior on the part of your employee. It sounds like he thinks he has an advantage in this situation. Why does he want to quit? Is it low pay, no advancement opportunities, commute time, bad attitude, he's a jerk, etc?
Author CloudyHead Posted January 27, 2020 Author Posted January 27, 2020 Three weeks ago he did work wrong and I was showing him how to do it right when he got really agitated and told me to "f*** off" and walked out. He returned a few hours later and apologized. I should have fired him then. Yesterday, he stated he has a job interview for a job that pays more money and the job interview is Tuesday so he needs time off. This morning I decided to fire him. When he showed up at work, I had his things boxed up and final paycheck. Since then he has texted me how I have f***ed up his life. 1
mark clemson Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 This is definitely a problem person. Who tells a boss to **** off? Don't be shocked if he attempts a frivolous lawsuit. Get your ducks in a row. 1
Art_Critic Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 4 hours ago, CloudyHead said: Three weeks ago he did work wrong and I was showing him how to do it right when he got really agitated and told me to "f*** off" and walked out. He returned a few hours later and apologized. I should have fired him then. Yesterday, he stated he has a job interview for a job that pays more money and the job interview is Tuesday so he needs time off. This morning I decided to fire him. When he showed up at work, I had his things boxed up and final paycheck. Since then he has texted me how I have f***ed up his life. That was the right decision and a good one, don't let his screwed up guilt trip affect you.. he fired himself.
Author CloudyHead Posted January 28, 2020 Author Posted January 28, 2020 His guilt trip is affecting me for some reason as I've been upset about my decision all day. On a business level, it was the right decision. On a personal level, I feel terrible.
The Outlaw Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 He isn't necessarily guaranteed the new job anyway. He put himself out and you did what you had to do.
Art_Critic Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 1 hour ago, CloudyHead said: His guilt trip is affecting me for some reason as I've been upset about my decision all day. On a business level, it was the right decision. On a personal level, I feel terrible. Some of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make dealt with firing/laying off people.. many times I have lost sleep days before and days after... Stick with knowing it was the right decision and put the rest out of your head, time will help and fer gawd sakes don't give him a second chance, his loyalty to the company is already gone 2
thefooloftheyear Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 I treat my guys really well and I cant say Ive ever had someone come remotely close to telling me to eff off..They'd be gone instantly...This guy seems unbalanced...Don't feel bad about it...Even the crap he told you about applying for the other job and if he gets it he's gone...Bu bye...right on the spot... I am more than willing to hear grievances and have worked out problems before, but that type of shyt cannot be tolerated...I don't really even let guys work after giving two weeks notice...It just spoils the chemistry in the place and its very hard enough under any circumstances to maintain that...Once they are lame duck, they usually become workplace lawyers and such...No need to be mean, just say no thanks to the notice...I think I have only done it once, and that was because I knew the guy well and knew he would never abuse it...He worked the last two weeks like he did the first two weeks I hired him.. Those types are pretty rare though.. Live and learn... TFY 1
sothereiwas Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 On 1/26/2020 at 6:22 PM, CloudyHead said: I have an employee who told me he has applied for another job and has an interview for new job in two days. He stated "I'm not quitting" but if he gets the job he will take it. Then he asked "Am I fired?". I've never encountered this situation. Usually someone quits or there's a termination. I'm inclined to let him go as at this point it is obvious he is seeking employment elsewhere and the writing is on the wall. Thoughts? Anyone who phrases and approaches this situation like this is probably too dumb to employ. He should have said he was approached by a competitor and asked for your advice.
schlumpy Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 22 hours ago, CloudyHead said: Three weeks ago he did work wrong and I was showing him how to do it right when he got really agitated and told me to "f*** off" and walked out. He returned a few hours later and apologized. I should have fired him then. Yesterday, he stated he has a job interview for a job that pays more money and the job interview is Tuesday so he needs time off. This morning I decided to fire him. When he showed up at work, I had his things boxed up and final paycheck. Since then he has texted me how I have f***ed up his life. Sounds like trouble. Park your car where a camera is on it.
sothereiwas Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 11 hours ago, thefooloftheyear said: He worked the last two weeks like he did the first two weeks I hired him.. Those types are pretty rare though.. I'm that guy. I've quit quite a few jobs, and often been hired back a few years later when a project came around that fit my skill set. I believe in always behaving like a pro and always try to leave them wanting more. This is not a tough thing to do, but it's odd how few people seem to do it. 2
Rockdad Posted January 28, 2020 Posted January 28, 2020 @Art_Critic likewise I lose sleep over firing a person as I take it very serious and the lack of talent to fill the slot. In my State and area with this particular situation I would have to pay unemployment. It generally leans to the side of the employee in majority of situations. I can tell after all these years when it's time for an employee to go or one is looking to move on and I don't pull the trigger and let them set themselves up or leave. If they give notice I decline it, tell them it's not necessary and immediatly inventory there service vehicle. I do it that way learning the hard way, if they stay after giving notice equipment and inventory mysteriously becomes M.I.A. 1
Author CloudyHead Posted January 28, 2020 Author Posted January 28, 2020 I appreciate the comments. I received a text from him asking me to take pictures of personal paperwork he left on a folder. I obliged and received a text from him how I have completely f***ed him. Our laws are that an employee can be fired for any reason as long as it is not an illegal reason. I think that once an employee makes it known that he/she is looking for work elsewhere it's time to protect yourself. 1
SincereOnlineGuy Posted January 29, 2020 Posted January 29, 2020 2 hours ago, CloudyHead said: Our laws are that an employee can be fired for any reason as long as it is not an illegal reason. (taking notes)
Author CloudyHead Posted February 12, 2020 Author Posted February 12, 2020 After not hearing from former employee except for a few texts that I f*cked up his life, he sends me a text today that I may be contacted by a potential employer and that he hopes I give him a good reference and not throw him under the bus. Unbelievable.
K.K. Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 Well... maybe you should just take the high road and give him a decent reference. Ya know? He’s already out of your hair. Dude needs a job. 1
Ellener Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 On 1/26/2020 at 8:22 PM, CloudyHead said: I'm inclined to let him go as at this point it is obvious he is seeking employment elsewhere and the writing is on the wall. Thoughts? Why do you have to do anything? It's all on him at this point to move on with his life or not. 11 hours ago, K.K. said: Well... maybe you should just take the high road and give him a decent reference. Ya know? He’s already out of your hair. Dude needs a job. I go on about this all the time these days, but honestly, compassion is everything. On 1/28/2020 at 4:57 PM, CloudyHead said: I think that once an employee makes it known that he/she is looking for work elsewhere it's time to protect yourself. So he's honest. Why does he think you aren't? And assuming it's not your own personal business, who exactly are you protecting?
ChatroomHero Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 12 hours ago, CloudyHead said: After not hearing from former employee except for a few texts that I f*cked up his life, he sends me a text today that I may be contacted by a potential employer and that he hopes I give him a good reference and not throw him under the bus. Unbelievable. People are crazy. I'd just not reply. You can' t really say anything negative because technically he could sue you and being as off as he seems, probably would regardless if he doesn't get the job whether or not they even call you...if they call you can really go one of two ways. Say he was fine as an employee and you had no issues with him (assuming other than him looking for a new job he was an ok worker), or else if he was not good and a liability just answer every question they have with something lke, "Well, I can confirm he was employed here from XX/XXXX to YY/YYYY" and leave it at that. After the texts, I'd probably go with option #2.
Marc878 Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 The way I handle that is just say “I’m sorry Im not allowed to give references you’ll need to contact HR”. Using this technique you stay out of legal issues and get your point across. People will read between the lines. I wouldn’t pass on a bad employee to anyone. How would you like that done to you?
Author CloudyHead Posted February 12, 2020 Author Posted February 12, 2020 I get another message from him that he never liked working for me. It's my business. The logic of sending me a message not to throw him under the bus if I am contacted by a potential new employer then going on a rant isn't helping him at all. I don't have any compassion for him at this point. I felt bad terminating him but no longer. 1
K.K. Posted February 13, 2020 Posted February 13, 2020 47 minutes ago, CloudyHead said: I get another message from him that he never liked working for me. It's my business. The logic of sending me a message not to throw him under the bus if I am contacted by a potential new employer then going on a rant isn't helping him at all. I don't have any compassion for him at this point. I felt bad terminating him but no longer. I know my advice has always been to be as cool with him as you could, but he’s getting a bit out of hand now with the insults and ranting. I would just stop responding to him at this point and when his prospective job calls for a reference, answer the basic questions as other posters have said above. ^ just stick with the truth and no need to elaborate on the fact that he could be a nutcase. Even though you’ll probably want to scream it through the phone. At least your guilt is gone. No really, you gave an inch he took a mile. It’ll be history soon. 1
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