Why do people do it?

[Langis]

How can I have a happy holidays when I have to fire someone the day before Christmas eve? I know I did everything in my power to help the person, but they didn't want to help them selves. I am so pissed! Why did he have to f%$^ up again? My back is against a wall, I have no choice so I really shouldn’t feel bad, but I have a feeling it is going to be eating me up over Christmas.

Sorry everyone I just needed to vent. Sometimes I hate my job!

[prolesunited]

1. Do you have to do it today?

Could it wait until Dec. 26?

[Langis]

3. I really hope I can wait

But I don't think so.

[bahrbearian]

2. I hope your talking about Chimpy ?

[LastKnight]

4. i dont think anyone here...

would get upset about firing chimpy any time of the year

-LK

[YNGW]

5. Not Your Fault

>I know I did everything in my power to help the person, but they didn't want to help themselves.

There's your answer. You did your part. You can look at yourself in the mirror knowing you made every reasonable effort. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. From what you indicated, this person squandered their opportunities.

I've only been dismissed from a job one time. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Sometimes the "bad times" of the present turn out to be blessings in disguise. Hopefully, this person will learn and move forward. But, you can't live their life for them.

Good Luck!

[rbnyc]

12. Yep.

Sometimes the only way to help a person is to let them suffer the consequences of their behavior. It's not fun, but this person probably would never learn any other way, and now there's a job opening for one of the many, many responsible, mature people out there who need one.

[WildClarySage]

15. That would be me,

can I have the name and number of your company? :D

[Rainbowreflect]

6. I'm sorry. I know that having to fire someone can be very hard.

This time of year just makes it harder.
Please remember that you did what you could and ultimately this person is responsible for themselves.

[Doc_Technical]

7. You have my sympathy

There are people who, at a certain point of their lives,
are incapable of being helped. Some of them will, sooner
or later, realize that they need to take personal
responsibility for their lives and choose a path to take
to improve themselves.

Part of the price you pay for being a careing person is the frustration you feel in this situation.

In this case you must do what you have to do and not
let this person's trouble get you down.

[demnan]

8. Unless it's unethical or life-critical

please consider waiting till after Christmas. (I don't know what you do so I can't judge).

[trof]

9. Friend was laid off last week.

How can companies do this just before the holidays?
How much difference would a week or two make?
:-(

[3rdParty]

10. typical

Wow!!! Management blaming the employee for everything. Now there's a concept you never hear!

[rbnyc]

11. I hope you're joking.

This isn't about some general management class and some general employee class. This is about 2 unique people in a unique situation. I think your reply is unsympathetic, to say the least--rude, to elaborate.

[flama]

13. It's a job

I got laid off December 21 of 2001. The corporation I worked for didn't seem to agree with my boss, but it was a done deal. I got replaced by a temp. Now I'm a temp, hoping I can replace someone.

Your situation sounds quite different. Been there, too. I got elected one time to terminate someone who was not in my department. (Lucky me!) I called him out to the shipping dock to give him the bad news and he gave me his resignation before I said more than one sentence. Needless to say, everyone was relieved - especially me.

Don't let this ruin your holidays. Besides the fact that it sounds as if this fellow has had a warning or two (or maybe more), we all should learn to separate our working life from the rest of our life.

Merry Christmas! (And please take that in the kindest possible way.)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. Shit, you are just firing the slob. It is not like you have to shoot

him in the back of the head or something.
Could be worse.
Get over it, or find another position.

[wingnut]

16. sounds like they did it to themself

from what you were saying. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[Lindsey]

17. I've had to fire a few people before

but it was only after I put in major amounts of efforts to help them do their jobs. If someone is continuously not doing what they're supposed to do and you've given them every chance, spoken to them, and tried to help them and they STILL don't get it, then you should not feel guilty. Good luck and I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. Remember...they are the one who created the situation. If they had done a good job, this wouldn't be happening.