what to do if your boss asks you to resign by Alison Green on June 11, 2014 What would you do if your manager asked for your resignation, or gave you the choice between quitting or being fired? Is it better to leave with a resignation instead of a firing in your job history, or is it better to decline and get fired instead? And if your employer wants you gone, why […] Read the full article →
how to reach out to a coworker who was fired by Alison Green on February 3, 2014 A reader writes: What is the appropriate etiquette for reaching out to a colleague who was unexpectedly fired? A manager I used to work under was recently let go from our organization. We weren’t “friends,” but this manager served as a mentor for me and we had a great professional relationship. I’d love to reach […] Read the full article →
confession: I used to suck at firing people by Alison Green on January 1, 2014 This post was originally published on March 21, 2008. I’ve written in the past about how firings should be done — and believe me when I tell you that that’s learned from hard experience. Hard, awful experience. In fact, one of the first times I had to fire someone, I really messed it up — largely because […] Read the full article →
is it okay to fire someone close to Christmas? by Alison Green on December 23, 2013 This was originally published on December 16, 2011. (I’m reprinting some posts this week while I’m busy eating cookies and looking at shiny ornaments.) 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 […] Read the full article →
why won’t my employer tell us why our coworker was fired? by Alison Green on November 8, 2013 A reader writes: I was hoping you and your readers could help me understand something. I’m fairly new to the white-collar workforce, and am in the middle of an awkward situation in my job at a satellite location of a larger non-profit. A couple days ago, the site manager was fired. As in, came in […] Read the full article →
help! I think I’m going to be fired by Alison Green on September 17, 2013 A reader writes: I am having a hard time in my job, and I’m worried I’m going to be fired. I’m doing my best, but I just can’t seem to meet my manager’s expectations. I’m still trying to improve, but I’m sensing that she might be losing patience with me. Is it better to quit […] Read the full article →
should I return to a job that fired me 4 years ago? by Alison Green on August 30, 2013 A reader writes: Four years ago, I was fired from a general manager position, They gave me a decent severance and reference, so we left on amicable terms — but it was a huge shock and unfair in my opinion. Now they want me to fill in on a temporary basis while another manager is […] Read the full article →
I need to fire an employee, but I’m afraid her family will become violent by Alison Green on August 8, 2013 A reader writes: One of my direct reports has two sons who are affiliated with gangs. Both of them are going through the court systems now for weapons and drug charges. Even my employee’s mother is going through the court system for being under the influence of prescription drugs while driving, and she has had […] Read the full article →
can I fire an employee by phone or email? by Alison Green on June 25, 2013 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 will be… “I’ll definitely be in tomorrow!” I manage a small business and need to fire her so I can start looking for her replacement as […] Read the full article →
how to fire a volunteer by Alison Green on June 24, 2013 A reader writes: My question is not regarding my job, but regarding a board I serve on 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 […] Read the full article →