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Terminations

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


My performance has generally been good, but I've been making some mistakes lately. My manager told me that he is keeping an eye on me, and unless I improve, he is going to take serious action, meaning that I will be fired. It makes me nervous to have him watching over me. Do you think that's a good way to manage?
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I was terminated from a buyer/planner position for making "too many mistakes," but my reviews were fine until a new manager was hired. I was then under fire all the time and I was let go. Now I would like to know what to say on a job application when asked about my reason for leaving. I feel like a loser every time I fill out a job application.
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In the past few weeks, I have spilled coffee three times in my office. One of the spills ruined a keyboard, and the others simply stained the carpet a little. My boss told me that if I have one more spill, he is going to fire me. I'll do my best not to have another accident, but isn't his reaction a little over the top? How should I deal with him?
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When I was looking for an administrative assistant, one of the job requirements was knowledge of office software. I hired an individual who had all of the other skills, but no experience or training on office software. She said she could learn it easily, but she still makes mistakes every day. The program has a help function, and I have suggested that she use it, but the result is the same. Do you believe this is grounds for termination?
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I was fired from my previous job as a medical assistant. A specimen was lost and I was told that it was my fault, but it wasn't. The office manager would not listen to my side, so I was dismissed. I have completed several applications that ask if you have been fired and why. What do I write? What will they do? Will they give me a chance to explain? What if I don't write it down?
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If someone is at a company close to four years and has received outstanding reviews, but sales are down due to market conditions, can that person be let go without a warning? The company has about 300 employees for all divisions.
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For the first time in my career, I am nervous about losing my job. The company has not replaced people who left during the past few months, and there are rumors all over the place. Do you have any suggestions for people in my situation?
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I began a job at a small company a couple of months ago. I was told there was a 6-minute grace period for tardiness, but I was recently counseled for being late 10 times, but I have never been more than 3 minutes late. Now I heard that they hold any tardiness against you. The turnover is high, and since I have been here, 3 people have been fired for "poor work ethic," also known as tardiness. If I am let go, will my "tardiness" hurt me when I apply for another job?
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I am going to fire my brother-in-law. He is in a senior position and is way over his head. We have spoken about the situation often, and there are no viable positions for him here. I am not worried about how he will handle the termination, but I fear that his wife, my sister, will be very upset. How do I deal with her?
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In reviewing one of the managers, we noticed his tendency to terminate the better employees in his department, and keep many of the plodders. We have some different theories as to what might be behind this, but we would like to know your thoughts on it.
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There is a very popular employee in my department. She is well-liked by her fellow employees and by many of my peers in management. The problem is her work. It is often sloppy and late, and she does not seem concerned about it. I have talked to her about this, but she seems to think that she is so well-liked that nothing can happen to her. I am ready to terminate her, but I am concerned about the backlash against me. Any suggestions?
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I was terminated in my last 3 jobs, but there are two sides to each of these stories. I have been through several job interviews recently, but I am not getting called back, and I am certain that this is because of the terminations. Do you have any suggestions?
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I have been very patient with my son-in-law, but he is not working out in our business. I don't want to fire him, but it's apparent to just about everyone that he is still around because he is family, and people are getting upset about this. How do I fire my son-in-law and not ruin my relationship with him and my daughter?
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Management at this company fires some employees for committing an error, and yet keeps others who commit the same infraction. One employee used profanity and racial slurs toward another employee, and several people witnessed this. Management continues to defend this employee and deny that anything happened. Many loyal employees are looking for employment elsewhere due to the company management. Who has the problem and what can be done?
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Somehow a rumor started that I am romantically involved with one of the women who report to me. We all work long hours, and I stayed late with her a few weeks ago when she had a flat tire. However, there was and is nothing going on between us, but the rumors still fly. How do I stop them?
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I work in a transportation reservation department. We deal with irate customers only and were told that if a complaint letter is received and our name is mentioned, we would be terminated. Now we are terrified and come to work each day stressed and worried that we could lose our jobs. Does management have the right to address an entire department this way and threaten jobs?
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My boss and I were discussing a difficult long-term employee who supposedly reports to me, but has made a career out of being belligerent and independent. I feel several major errors were made with this person, with the approval of my boss. This employee was converted from hourly to salary, and he now chooses to work minimum hours and leave early. My boss says I can terminate him, but I said, "I don't believe you." How do you set a salaried employee's hours, and, since all of this has damaged my relationship with my boss, how do I repair that?
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Our manager just fired one of the most popular people in the company. We all thought this person was doing a good job, but he told us that he was terminated because our manager did not think he was a good fit. Our manager is not communicative to begin with, and he has not said a word about this. Should we ask him what happened?
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I am feeling very insecure in my job, and I have occasionally asked my manager if he is going to fire me. Some friends have told me to stop asking this question, but I need to know what my manager is thinking. Is it okay to ask this question once in a while?
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Our general manager is quick to tell the managers that we can be terminated at any time because we are at-will employees. If he is unhappy with one of our employees, he will say something like, "You should fire him. He's at-will. You can fire whoever you want." Is he right?
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I lead a team of twelve Customer Service Representatives, and there is one rep who constantly ignores instruction and has an excuse for every error he makes. He is confrontational, unprofessional, and causes disharmony among the other team members. Many of them have voiced their concern about him, especially his temper. He has strengths, but his weaknesses and attitude far outweigh them. I have told my manager about his performance and inability to mesh with the others, but management seems to want to keep him and develop him. What can I do short of termination?
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One of our best hourly employees has been cheating on her timecard. This is a violation of our company policy, and we have terminated employees for this. It would be difficult to replace this person, and since she is a good employee, I would like to give her a warning, but other managers say I should terminate her. Whose side would you take?
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Until recently, I was a sales manager for a technology start-up. I had no idea where to go or how to sell the product. I was not even trained in the basics. I taught myself and made presentations, but I was paid very little. Just before the end of five months with the company, the vice president of sales terminated me for failing to bring in sales. The company has many employees who are dissatisfied and trapped in a heap of unfilled promises. What could be the reason for my boss's irresponsible behavior? Is this typical of how start-ups treat their employees?
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I sort of have this feeling that I am going to be fired. I'm not a terrible employee, but I'm not the best either. I work hard and usually do a good job, although I have had some disagreements with my boss over the past year. Are there any signs that usually mean a person is about to be fired?
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My manager is slowing taking away the most important and creative parts of my job and reassigning them to other people or to himself. I have told him that I can handle these responsibilities, but he takes them away anyhow. My job is getting awful and I am wondering what you suggest.
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I hired my brother-in-law for a management position not long ago, and it's apparent already that he is failing. However, I have real concerns about the impact on our family if I terminate him. What do you suggest?
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I just terminated an employee and she became very upset and hostile. She screamed at me, insulted me, and was out of control. I told her to calm down, but that only incensed her further. I am shaken by what happened here, and I wonder what to do if this happens again.
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I am in a management position, and I report to a senior manager. Last week he told me that I am wasting too much time on one particular employee, and he told me to fire her. I believe she is making progress, and I don't want to terminate her. What do you suggest?
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I have an employee who deserves to be fired. His work is not very good, his attitude is often negative, and even his honesty is questionable. I have talked to him about the problems and documented his performance, but the problem is that I have never fired anyone and I don't feel good about putting someone out of a job. What can you suggest?
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I am going to be terminating an employee whose performance is below par. He has a very bad temper, and I am slightly concerned that he could have one of his outbursts when I fire him. What is the best way to do this?
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I have heard about successful people who embellished their resumes to get a job. I added office computer skills onto my resume in order to qualify for a certain job, and I got it. When my lack of computer knowledge came out, I was fired. I think this was unfair of the company. When they saw I was a good employee except for this, they could have given me some training. Do their actions seem fair to you?
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We have a very good employee, but every time something does not go his way, he threatens to quit. We have been bending over to meet his needs, but now there is some resentment building toward him, not only from managers but from some of his fellow employees too. How do you deal with an employee like this?
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I have an employee who is performing poorly, and it looks like I will have to terminate him. Are there any last-ditch efforts you suggest before terminating someone?
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We have a popular long-term employee. She has received raises over the years, but her performance has not been good, and it is continuing to slip. We are seriously thinking about terminating her. How do you terminate an employee like this?
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I recently terminated an employee who became belligerent and hostile during a termination session. She screamed at me, yelled in the halls, grabbed her things, and then stormed out. What are some ways to prevent this type of outburst in the future?
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