The view from the other side of the desk

Today, for the second time in my 33 year professional career, I had to tell somebody that s/he didn't have a job next year.

Like raising children and planning conferences, it's pretty easy to point out the shortcomings of those who perform the task of letting somebody go. Until, that is, one has had to actually do it. Especially since I seem to increasingly regard my co-workers as family. (OK, so I didn't go to Harvard Business School or had Donald Trump as a role model.)

Please save the lion's share of your sympathy for those who lose their jobs. But remember not everyone likes being on the other side of the desk either.

Dark Office VI - Empty Desk Original painting by Bruce Docker

Comments

[Dottie]

The only thing I can say is that I have been let go 3 times and all 3 times I found something even more suited to me. All 3 times it was scary as hell but I found resources within that I didn't know I had. When I knew that the person letting me go really did not want to do it, I felt a lot better. In these times, you can only do the best you can do. We are all in this together.

[Janice]

You don't mention why you had to do it. If it was a matter of economics, you both have my sympathies. If the person wasn't doing the job, that is a different matter. Afew years ago I worked at a school where a person who was a poor teacher was on the verge of getting tenure. He got to that point because no one had the guts to tell him to straighten up.
This teacher had a mentor but would not take suggestions on improvement. Our principal gave him a year to get his act together. The principal took a lot of heat when he denied him tenure, but he did what he had to do, as I'm sure you did.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Dottie,

Thanks for your comment. Happy to know that the attitude of the person doing the firing makes a difference.

All the best,

Doug

Hi Janice,

This was a case of budget reduction - not performance. And I agree, that it would not have been so bad HAD it been a performance issue.

Thanks for leaving the comment,

Doug