how to avoid being pulled into drama when someone is fired by Alison Green on July 12, 2017 A reader writes: I am part of a very small department where I have worked part-time for the past few years. I just learned that I will be made full-time this summer as part of a restructuring process that includes firing my current boss (for both behavioral issues and restructuring reasons). She does not know […] Read the full article →
I feel awful about firing someone by Alison Green on June 9, 2017 A reader writes: This past month, I fired someone for the first time (background, I have been in a management position for less than a year after being suddenly promoted). It was certainly warranted — poor performance, lying, and never-ceasing argumentative behavior. Despite the fact that I documented the behavior and performance (HR even called […] Read the full article →
how to fire an employee who’s trying hard by Alison Green on May 3, 2017 A reader writes: I was recently promoted to oversee a team of 3. One woman who was hired before I started is not able to fully perform her job responsibilities. The employee readily admits that is true, and is very receptive to training and coaching but I am certain it will take years to get […] Read the full article →
I accidentally sent my boss to Italy instead of Florida by Alison Green on April 3, 2017 A reader writes: My boss asked me to make travel arrangements for herself and a C-suite executive. I have done this before, but this time I made a huge mistake. The travel was supposed to be to the American city of Naples, in the state of Florida. I accidentally booked a flight and hotel for […] Read the full article →
I got fired for attending a conference that I wasn’t invited to by Alison Green on March 7, 2017 A reader writes: I started working at my job eight months ago, not long after I completed college (thanks in part to your write-ups about cover letters, resumes, interview questions and job searching). A few months ago in the elevator, my manager’s manager and someone from upper management in another department were talking about an […] Read the full article →
how to fire a volunteer by Alison Green on January 18, 2017 A reader writes: I serve on a board for an alumni association. We are all volunteers, and we have various committees that other alumni serve on. It’s hard to get much help sometimes, so we try to find something for anyone who wants to help to contribute. However, we have one volunteer who seems to […] Read the full article →
is it okay to fire an employee by phone or email? by Alison Green on January 4, 2017 A reader writes: I have wanted to fire a full-time employee for the past two weeks, but she hasn’t been in, despite telling me on numerous occasions that she definitely will be in the next day. I manage a small business and need to fire her so I can start looking for her replacement as […] Read the full article →
is it okay to fire someone close to Christmas? by Alison Green on December 14, 2016 A reader writes: I have an employee who has performance issues that are well documented. In fact, he has been slated for termination several times and, in each instance, managed to convince a former manager that he should be allowed to retain his position. However, after making a major mistake which could cost us a […] Read the full article →
you can’t be held hostage to a bad employee by Alison Green on November 9, 2016 A reader writes: I belong to a small country church of the type where people’s families have attended for generations. One of our members has acted as secretary for over 20 years. A few years ago, we hired a new pastor and this secretary does not like him. She’s always been a prickly person to […] Read the full article →
I was fired from my internship for writing a proposal for a more flexible dress code by Alison Green on June 28, 2016 A note about this post, which is being linked to from all over the internet: This situation is not about “young people today.” The letter-writer’s generation is far from the first to bridle at dress codes or misunderstand office culture or start out with little knowledge of how things work in offices. This is about being […] Read the full article →