Topic: Ok, I suck. I had to fire an innocent man today.

[IndyShark]

There are times where you have to question your value on the planet. Today is one of those days for me. I had to fire an innocent man today. I can assure you that I fought the system and was told to shut up the **** up. At the end of the day, I had to fire a totally Innocent man for a stupid reason.  I fought for him and the facts just don't matter. I feel like pond scum and I am embarrassed to work for my company.

Needless to say, I am leaving as soon as I can find another job. I find it hard to believe that some people get their jollies by firing people.  What kind of people feel like MEN when they fire someone?  Bastards.

I can't go into details, but if I find out who screwed my man, I'll deck him. I am 6'5" tall and weigh 340 pounds. I can bench 350 pounds. If I want to hurt someone, he will feel some pain.

I am sorry guys, but I am soo mad right now, I could scream.  For the first time in my life, I am not sure I can look in the mirror.

[Dracho]

Indy,

You did not fire him.  Someone else fired him and you were tasked with doing their dirty work and telling the guy he was fired.  Your man understands that.  Now, you need to understand that.

Sometimes, when you take the pay, you have to take the crap too.  Unless you are the top man in the organization, odds are, you will always have at least one morally weak person in your chain-of-command.  Stay or go based on how you feel about the job, because there will always be another asshat at the next job.

[IndyShark]

Dracho, thank you for the words of encouragement. At this point, I hear you, but I still feel like a concentration camp guard following orders. Perhaps I will feel like a member of the human race tomorrow.

Not today.

[Nemesis]

Dracho is definitely right.  If you treated the man properly and let him know that you were not the one responsible for his firing thenyou have nothing to feel guilty for. 

You can still write him an excellent letter of reference to help him get a future job. 

I have never been in either position here but have been called in by my boss for an undeserved reprimand.  He started by explaining the situation.  It seems that his bosses decided that the one day I had not accomplished half as much as they expected and wanted me reprimanded for it. I had in fact accomplished more than my direct boss had believed possible and he had previously done my job before being promoted.  I left that company as soon as I had the chance.  I don't hold anything against my direct boss.  He even gave me a superb letter of reference, which I have never had to use.  They eventually gave up trying to find someone who could fully replace me.  The person I believe responsible was eventually promoted and directly caused by his behaviour the unionizing of the business.  I would believe that the union made his life hell as he was the type to provoke them constantly with BS.

Whatever you do don't break the law.  It may be satisfying for the moment but it is not worth wrecking your life over. 

Someone like the person responisble will always have their own issues that can be made to haunt them.  I've seen that with others.  I can think of several people that have lost their jobs because they were that sort of person and provoked too many below them.  Including one that provoked me directly .  One of them later applied for a job with a company where a former co-worker was employed.  The former co-worker was asked his opinion and it was "if you hire him I quit", he didn't get the job.  If he had been a different person it would have been "hire him now".

[KBF-Kapact]

I've been in situations (more than once) when I had to fire people who deserved it, and I didn't even like that. Like Dracho and Nemesis said, you didn't fire him. You did someone else's dirty work, and you're suffering for it because you're a good man. Not much will make you feel better but time. In the meantime, you're among friends......

[Javora]

I can't really add anything more because everyone before me did such a good job already.  Keep your head up Indy, you fought for the man's job that is more then I would expect most people today would do.  One thing though, when you leave the company you work for make sure it is on your terms.  Don't hurt your own finances or you and your families well being during this emotional time.  Good luck and God bless.

[IndyShark]

Guys, thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I know it is stupid to feel this way, but I do. Unfortunately, emotions aren't rational.  He worked for me, and I always feel an obligation to stick up for and protect my people. I did that in this case, and was overruled.

I'll be more than happy to give him an outstanding letter of reference. He deserves it!  Fortunately, he has a new job already and he'll have to move across the country.

I think part of my problem is that I am embarrassed to work for my company. I don't like or respect the company or the management. I will leave soon (I hope) and on my terms.

[KBF-Kapact]

Guys, thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I know it is stupid to feel this way, but I do. Unfortunately, emotions aren't rational.  He worked for me, and I always feel an obligation to stick up for and protect my people. I did that in this case, and was overruled.

I'll be more than happy to give him an outstanding letter of reference. He deserves it!  Fortunately, he has a new job already and he'll have to move across the country.

I think part of my problem is that I am embarrassed to work for my company. I don't like or respect the company or the management. I will leave soon (I hope) and on my terms.

It isn't stupid to feel that way. There's no point being a boss if you don't stick up for your people. I personally ditch bosses that don't stick up for me. Sometimes they don't win, but that isn't what's most important. You did what was right, and odds are you'd do the same thing again. You did your best for him. And in the end, he's okay, and you've got the impetus get away from a bad place. My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight with a bottle of Napolean Brandy. The second drink will be for you.....

[KBF-Kapact]

Doesn't mean I won't put a hole in your saucer section given the opportunity. Hey, it isn't personal. It's just..... business....

[Dracho]

Any man can be a boss, but few men can be a leader.  Always remember, a leader leads from the front, he does not shove from behind.

Time has a way of sorting the wheat from the chaff.  You'll do fine.

[IndyShark]

Guys, thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I know it is stupid to feel this way, but I do. Unfortunately, emotions aren't rational.  He worked for me, and I always feel an obligation to stick up for and protect my people. I did that in this case, and was overruled.

I'll be more than happy to give him an outstanding letter of reference. He deserves it!  Fortunately, he has a new job already and he'll have to move across the country.

I think part of my problem is that I am embarrassed to work for my company. I don't like or respect the company or the management. I will leave soon (I hope) and on my terms.

It isn't stupid to feel that way. There's no point being a boss if you don't stick up for your people. I personally ditch bosses that don't stick up for me. Sometimes they don't win, but that isn't what's most important. You did what was right, and odds are you'd do the same thing again. You did your best for him. And in the end, he's okay, and you've got the impetus get away from a bad place. My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight with a bottle of Napolean Brandy. The second drink will be for you.....

Thank you sir. Congratultions on your anniversary and I'll raise my mug of bloodwine to you for your comments.

[IndyShark]

Thanks Dracho.

[Mackie]

Been there my self man, in a sort of a similar situation but rather than having to do the job of kicking off a totally competant man from his works I decided quit my self...
Just couldnt bring my self to do that knowing that my concience would have raped me the sideways for doing it ;P

But I suppose you should feel some pride in having the balls in the situation where I didnt. :/

[Dracho]

You don't have to go home and watch your kids skip dinner because you quit your job either.  That adds a new dimension and frankly, between your responsibilty between being a provider for your family, and your pride, you pride should lose every time.

[Jack Morris]

Ford seems to love the way they fire people nowadays. Seems the baby boomer management went senile or they are angry about their hemmorhoids flaring up all the time now.

Don't get mad Indy, just play it smart and make the arse that was responsible pay by looking so much like a loser HE gets fired! 

Better yet, follow him when he goes out drinking then call the cops and have him busted for DWI or at least driving under the influence, BOTH can ruin your job!

[Dracho]

Nah.. sign him up for a gay porn magazine and have it delivered to his office.

[Jack Morris]

 

Dang Dracho, glad you do not want to damage my life in any way! That is a great idea though, hehehehehehe...

[IndyShark]

I wish I knew who it was.

Perhaps I don't. I'd get in trouble for sure!

[Commander Maxillius]

there are ways to do stuff without making it known it was you.


For instance, filling out the card so that they bill the office for it as well and making the return address the office with your Boss's name on it...


Even typing it to avoid using your handwriting is another way

[Just plain old Punisher]

That's the wussy way of getting back. Nothing says you're pissed like high explosives wrapped in Ball-bearings.