Had to let someone go

[notfarnow]

Hired an assistant 3 weeks ago after interviewing 3 people. Thought she'd be a good fit but she just wasn't picking up on things, and I was becoming increasing anxious about it.

Realized last night that I was worse off and less organized than I was 3 weeks ago. Let her go when she came in this AM, paid her for her time + an extra week. She cried, I feel bad but also feel relieved

[berettafan]

gotta make those decisions quickly.

good for you!

just hired a part time person myself. told her up front if you end up unable to learn what I need you to know i'll have to let you go. i'm not adopting people, i'm looking for help getting a growing business as tight as possible.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by berettafan

i'm not adopting people, i'm looking for help getting a growing business as tight as possible.

exactly! I let things drag on WAY too long with my last assistant and it just made it harder/messier. I set pretty clear expectations with this one, and last week we had a "check in" and I expressed some concerns. She was trying really hard, but just wasn't getting it. I think that is why she took it hard

It's really tough to find the perfect match. I almost need to try a bunch of people for a couple days each.

[porsche4life]

I thought your last assistant was a rock star?

Good luck man, its tough finding someone to keep all the docs straight!

[VincentVega]

good luck

I moved to a new org and it took me way more than 3 weeks to 'get it'. Only you know what you need and you need to trust your instincts. Just try and put yourself in their shoes and make sure your expectations are realistic. Easier said than done.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I almost need to try a bunch of people for a couple days each.

This.

Not possible for every industry but if it is you should try.

I've had an "audition" policy my entire career.

You come in and work in my studio for 2 weeks.

If you are already employed you give me a few hours after your day gig, I'll hang around because the process is important to me.

Anyone can put on a good face for the time an interview takes but most people will start to reveal there true selves within a few days. Bad habits, actual skill set, and personality issues are hard to keep suppressed for too long.

Had an open to hire for a mid level position. Had a number of quality candidates that we whittled down to two.

One was slightly more polished and talented than the other but end of day both were solid.

After the two weeks we were leaning to the more talented one and were preparing an offer letter that we were going to give her at the end of the day.

I'm in my office and the Manager who I assigned to supervise them called me out.

We had a pleasant discussion about a task the candidate had just finished and the Manager was explaining what needed to be amended. Candidate was resisting / pushing back and honestly her rational was entirely correct. The problem was the spec as dictated by the licensor required something else. I calmly explained to her, "yes, you are not wrong but for this it HAS to be done the other way" She continued to debate for a few minutes and I finally told her, pleasantly, "I understand, now amend it as you've been instructed" She looked at us and with a nasty tone said "FINE" and spun her chair dismissing us.

The Manager and I looked at each other, I went back to my office, rang up HR and had them change the name on the offer letter.

I've only made one bad hire. The one and only person that I did not put through the audition process.

[BK911]

We hire through a temp agency and interns. No muss no fuss. If they work out we keep them. If not, bu-bye!!

[foxpaws]

Originally Posted by BK911

We hire through a temp agency and interns. No muss no fuss. If they work out we keep them. If not, bu-bye!!

This - where I work this is the only way we bring in new-hires except at management and above level. I know we have even had people who we are interested in sign up with the temp agency first.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Hired an assistant 3 weeks ago after interviewing 3 people. Thought she'd be a good fit but she just wasn't picking up on things, and I was becoming increasing anxious about it.

Realized last night that I was worse off and less organized than I was 3 weeks ago. Let her go when she came in this AM, paid her for her time + an extra week. She cried, I feel bad but also feel relieved

Hire slow - fire fast

[Sarc]

We've just let one of our junior designers go since she hasn't been meeting our expectations...though she's been trying; she's just very green and isn't getting it.

It's tough because she has a great attitude, but came with a lot on her plate for someone so young (that will ultimately make her stronger) which I suspect is affecting her work so we're helping her create a stronger portfolio that hopefully gets her in the door with some other firms where she will be a better fit. To ensure this doesn't become a drain, we are gradually dialing back her hours. Not our typical procedure by any means, but it just felt right.

She took it well and is very appreciative.

[NY65912]

In my business we hire and fire daily. You don't cut it you go.

What is tough is when you must layoff because of lack of work. I see the families behind their eyes.

[wayner]

I'm a hired gun ( figure of speech)

I'm always looking for my next job.
I'd better "get it" and show immediate value in the first morning or else!

For my own business Ive given up on employee of any type.
I only rely now on people who are professionals like me who don't need to be managed.

[flatbutt]

Letting people go was the hardest part of my management career. But in corporate America there are major hoops to jump through before termination. It's very difficult to fire someone "fast" unless you catch them in the commission of a crime or such like.

[notfarnow]

Some good advice here though, I appreciate it. I only ever have one employee, so I don't have a lot of experience handing this stuff.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I thought your last assistant was a rock star?

Good luck man, its tough finding someone to keep all the docs straight!

Previous one was a rock start when she was ON, but if there was any drama in her personal life (and there always was) she went off the rails. Was happening more frequently and I had my own drama to tend to without having to accommodate hers. I think it was an age/maturity thing. I'd love to have her efficiency and savvy in a more mature/steady employee

One of the people I interviewed had a lot of potential and seemed sharp, but pressed the "flexibility" issue enough to concern me. I work 60+ hrs a week, half of it of it evenings and weekends... *I'M* the one who needs flexibility, not my employee. These are your hours, these are your duties. Yes, no, not maybe.

It's tough too because people who know me assume I'd be fun to work for, so they apply or send their friends. Real estate is portrayed unrealistically on TV so people assume it will be all fun and excitement, but the work I'm paying for is demanding and the objective is to have THEM do the boring, intense stuff so I am freed up to do the stuff that brings the $$ in. The last one was a friend of a friend (hard to avoid, small city/small world). I am already catching a bit of a backlash from the friend. Ah well

[Baz]

Whew....thought we lost another dog.....

[dad911]

First person I fired was difficult. Unfortunately, it gets easier.

[Dantilla]

Most difficult for me was firing the manager of an apartment complex.

Not only did he lose his job, he also lost his home, as the nicest apartment there was connected to the manager's office, and was included with the job.

He acted as if he were king of his kingdom, and when we took over, couldn't grasp that he was there to serve our residents. and insure that they have a nice place to live. Always disheveled and grumpy, I had to let him go. Very difficult.

Saw him a couple weeks later, looking sharp and smiling as he was on his way to his new job.
That's what we were looking for! Perhaps a new challenge was all he needed for an emotional kick in the butt.