Termination Day

I had to fire someone today. A couple actually. It would be easier if I could say I like them, but I can't; I don't know anything about them as individuals that would allow me to form that kind of opinion. All I know is that they weren't doing their job.

I don't think it's ever easy to fire someone and I have trouble believing anyone enjoys the process. I got lucky on my first time around - they weren't happy and were planning to leave. There was no crying, from her, as I expected. I don't think she was happy about it, but that appears to be from the termination part, not from being terminated. I don't really know; he almost always does the talking.

I felt horrible going into it. I don't like to yell at people, to reprimand or have anything poor to report about their performance. It's part of my job and today was part of my training. Afterall, I am taking over this company one day. What will I do when my dad is gone?

This is just another example of finding myself on the other side of the "normal" fence. Most people get fired, they don't have to do the firing. Most people are step-children, not the children of the second marriage.

When I was younger, I'd consistently consider the underdog, the person who appeared to be disadvantaged for some reason or other. It wasn't training, it was a natural reaction. As I got older, I started to see that that approach isn't the most reasonable. Perhaps, as is sometimes the case, someone has disadvantaged themself? My definition of "underdog" changes with every situation. I'm ruthless in my application of fair and I suppose you could say I'm conservative in the initiatives I promote and complain about in political circumstances. Terminating someone's employment is like that; hell the entire property management sector is like that.

Several people ask me for rent reductions, to ignore their rental debt or to postpone an eviction for "just a few more days". My answer is almost always "no". While we do give rent reductions in certain circumstances, we never ignore debt. Would Visa say, "Hey, you're having some trouble, we'll just wipe out this $2000 you owe and best of luck to you!" Never. Seriously? So, why should I? You have a family and I am not part of it. Maybe they can help you and maybe they can't, but it's been my experience that given no other option, people really will find a way to help themselves.

I used to believe that made me a bad person. Now? Well, I think it makes me a better person to be able to say, "I'm not your mother and I'm not going to mother you. If you want some advice, I will help to the best of my ability, but I'm staying out of your problem." I also think there should be a course for every high schooler regarding how to balance their checkbook and personal finances in general.

So, when it comes to firing someone today, I was scared. I was shaking and my heart was thumping. I didn't want to, but they left me no other choice, because they refused to work with us. I have compassion and that certainly kicked, especially afterward; however, I do believe people know when they aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing, when they are doing a bad job and these two did.

It's just my unfortunate job to be the one to tell them. At least, they didn't shoot the messenger.