Close Topic Options

Should we feel bad when we have to fire someone?

As a Manager for a Home care agency, I had to fire someone today due to their continual outbursts against clients and fellow coworkers. In general this person is a good worker and does their job well, but the way they treat others could be a liability.

I also realize that this person may have some very difficult financial struggles because of her losing her Job and this comes at a very difficult time for them at a time when the Job market is not very good in the area. I have not felt very good about the whole situation and I was hoping for some discussion on my responsibilities as an employer and as a member of the Church.

How bad should I feel as a person, for making this decision that will affect another person's happiness?

Is this something I should lose sleep over (I already have, as it was something that has been going on for the last week)?

How much am I responsible for this person's unhappiness?

Any thoughts?

someone fire to we bad feel Should

I appreciate your willingness to share a personal experience with us.

I do not see how your work has anything to do with you being a Member of the Church. You have a job and a responsibility. If you gave her adequate warning / chances and she failed to comply then it is a matter of business for you to protect the company, after all if you do not do that you are in fact faulting and causing hurt to your employer(s).

Look at it this way - would it be better to allow her there upsetting staff and clients until all of you lost your job? Maybe a suit from a client because of her? Did she know that if she kept up the behavior she would eventually be fired? Was it not then her choice to do as she wanted regardless of the consequences?

Now on the other side, is your guilt because you felt you could have done more to help her get her act together or because of the struggle she has now chosen to undertake? When you fire someone you do it alone or as part of a committee? Did you specifically explain what she did / is doing and how she could improve, did she agree to do better?

Should we feel bad when we have to fire someone? Studies Doctrine Mormon

In my position I do not have the authority to fire without adequate documentation and review by Human Resources. I am not able to make the final decision (it must go through review). She has been on six month probation for similar activities, and the word today was that she would be let go.

I just hated being the bearer of bad news, and I did not like to see the pain that I caused. I realize I was doing my job, but it was an unpleasant.

I guess it is always difficult to cause pain in others even when that pain was a result of their mistakes and tendencies. Even though I do not show it outwardly, I tend to be a little soft hearted and suffer when I see others suffer.

As a parent I have felt the same pain when I have had to punish a child for something they do. Having to tell someone they are losing there Job and their livelihood is not something that one enjoys doing.

Rather off topic, but...

I have always wondered how God feels when he must exact a punishment. Even though he is justified, I am sure that he cannot have any pleasure in the act.

someone fire to we bad feel Should

Sounds to me like this is a case of you being human and you do have blood or in other words you do care about what you do and how it affects others. Not every action we have to execute that is correct may feel comfortable, but such is life.

Rather off topic, but...
You should open a Blog. I've always found that being able to write out thoughts a big stress reliever. Send me an Email to initialize one for you and do state if you want it private or public and I will create it.

someone fire to we bad feel Should

Sorry to hear about your experience Dbackers. I think is very kind of you to think in others that way (not everyone is like that these days). However, I don't think you have any responsibility towards her unhappiness. It seems to me, it all boils down to choices. She had many opportunities before to rectify her conduct and she failed to do so. This reminds me of the story of Nephi, when the Lord commanded him to kill Laban. Nephi did not want to do it but the Lord told him:

The comparison may seem non-existent but my point is that sometimes it is better for one person to be fired than a whole bunch of people suffering in the hands of this person. Unfortunately, she brought upon herself the fate of her job and even though it is sad for you, there are certain things in life we have to do. Specially what is right.

Hope you feel better soon,
LDS