they lied…so they had to go..
@mario_stevens (6971)
Malaysia
July 3, 2010 10:08am CST
Without too much mystery, I’ll say it here. I do run my own company and stuff, with some employees and workers. Things are usually efficient enough that I can have my own time to myLot once in a while 
Well, a few days back I had to do a review of almost everything that is going on in the company. Most of it was ok, and some of it wasn’t. and that’s what got most of my attention..
There’s this two employees of mine who always have an answer and excuse (most of them are credible) when they don’t get their assignments done on time. And I have given them many many opportunities to buck up and improve the quality of their work. But last Friday was the last straw. Because of their negligence I almost lost a bundle in revenue, and when I questioned them, they claim ignorance over the whole thing…when they were supposed to be handling it in the first place! 
Well, I reminded them of the warnings and opportunities I allowed them, and then I asked my partner to release them from their contracts…
And now the rest of the office thinks I’m a bad person for firing a couple of people.. *sigh.. I know that I didn’t inform everyone why those two were released, but why does everyone like to jump to conclusions & defend their assumptions without even finding out what the facts were in the first place?
People will always be people I guess… or is it just in my company? 
Well, a few days back I had to do a review of almost everything that is going on in the company. Most of it was ok, and some of it wasn’t. and that’s what got most of my attention..
There’s this two employees of mine who always have an answer and excuse (most of them are credible) when they don’t get their assignments done on time. And I have given them many many opportunities to buck up and improve the quality of their work. But last Friday was the last straw. Because of their negligence I almost lost a bundle in revenue, and when I questioned them, they claim ignorance over the whole thing…when they were supposed to be handling it in the first place!
Well, I reminded them of the warnings and opportunities I allowed them, and then I asked my partner to release them from their contracts…
And now the rest of the office thinks I’m a bad person for firing a couple of people.. *sigh.. I know that I didn’t inform everyone why those two were released, but why does everyone like to jump to conclusions & defend their assumptions without even finding out what the facts were in the first place?
People will always be people I guess… or is it just in my company? 2 people like this
19 responses
@saphrina (31551)
• South Africa
3 Jul 10
Sorry to give you the bad news Mario, but all employers are monsters in most people's eyes.
I think you did the right thing, as i would have probably fired them the first time.
You gave them a chance and they just ignored you.
If the others don't like it, they can always leave.
Don't worry about it.
They are suppose to know you by now.
Smile for me, that ought to make you feel better.
TATA.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
and that's the impression i've always tried to avoid since day one..but employers always become a monster in their eyes..*sigh..
i'll give your advice a try..
hey...it does feel better!
let me try again..
.. now i feel double better!
hehe..
hey...it does feel better!
let me try again..
.. now i feel double better!
hehe..
@consultrainer (4991)
• India
3 Jul 10
what is this mario.. you are out of your will and mind? .. why did you type so lengthy a discussion? .. do you think, I can manage with more than the mandatory 4 sentences?
------------ it took me over an hour to read through the sentences, with a high power lens, to find the essence of what you wrote. and, alas, I found nothing to give a reply about.
------------
how are all the others managing?
.. efficient, two employees .. who always answer all the assignments, out of ignorance. .. Well, you warn, and allow them to ask your partner. And then you REST.
that is what I UNDERSTOOD from the just company that you wrote about.
(all the words in italics are yours! ... _)
------------ it took me over an hour to read through the sentences, with a high power lens, to find the essence of what you wrote. and, alas, I found nothing to give a reply about.
------------
how are all the others managing?
.. efficient, two employees .. who always answer all the assignments, out of ignorance. .. Well, you warn, and allow them to ask your partner. And then you REST.
that is what I UNDERSTOOD from the just company that you wrote about.
(all the words in italics are yours! ... _) 1 person likes this
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
hehe...i think you need to get those prescription lenses double-checked for accuracy 
you did understand the gist of it though.. 
you did understand the gist of it though.. @consultrainer (4991)
• India
3 Jul 10
hahahah. it happens. Never believe your worker, even if he is your blood-brother.
treat them with human care, but, you are also a human. so take care of yourself first. 
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
oh...i do take good care of myself i can't afford to let myself get too naughty again 
i can't afford to let myself get too naughty again 
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
I never like the job of sacking the staff but I have done it countless times. Sometimes we have to do it to save the company from going down the drain. As a CEO of the company, you should discharge your duties without fear and favor. And you have done it right. Unproductive employees should be given the red card.
1 person likes this
@consultrainer (4991)
• India
3 Jul 10
hey, .. I AM all confused. please be a bit more clear .. what is a CEO? ,.. is it something related with Football, Soccer? .. or is it related to infertility.. you were using words like PRODUCTIVE, red-card..etc..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
hi zandi sorry about CT, i think he didn't take his magic pills this morning
thanks for the comment..yup, i did give them ample time to buck up. and i'm trying to turn this little incident into a lesson for all of the others, just in case that they think i'm too much fun and will never come down hard on them for not doing their work..
sorry about CT, i think he didn't take his magic pills this morning
thanks for the comment..yup, i did give them ample time to buck up. and i'm trying to turn this little incident into a lesson for all of the others, just in case that they think i'm too much fun and will never come down hard on them for not doing their work..
@ydb777 (36)
• United States
3 Jul 10
I believe that you did the right thing. You have shown them mercy on many occasions. It is your company and you have to protect it. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks because in the end of the day your company is what takes care of you and yours.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
yup..people may think what they want to think. and so many people just assume that because you're the one in charge, things are so much easier for you to deal with.. oh well, too bad what they think, as i still have a company to run 
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
3 Jul 10
I don't have employees and would never do so, this being one of the reasons.
What a hassle! I worked in HR and the ridiculous stuff that lousy employees are allowed to get away with burns me!
I used to get into trouble with co-workers by taking my boss's side of the issue because I know what it is to be in business.
I also know what is going on behind the scenes and why "that really nice guy" got canned. Well, he may have been "a nice guy" to you, but believe me, the REAL story, which as an employer or HR rep, it is illegal to spread around, would curl your toes.
My daughter asked me about a certain employee once. Big bad company let poor little nice guy go. I told her, I'm not at liberty to discuss the reasons, but you may take a good piece of advice, don't believe everything you're told, just because you like a person.
1 person likes this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
4 Jul 10
In case anyone thinks I took the bosses' side on occasion because I liked him as a person: Nothing could be further from the truth! 
Likeable is NOT a word that would easily come to mind, if ever, in describing this particular individual!
Hey, but if he's right, I'll back him.
Mind you, on occasion, he is also wrong, and I've made it abundantly clear I won't stand behind any thing illegal or unethical.
Likeable is NOT a word that would easily come to mind, if ever, in describing this particular individual!
Hey, but if he's right, I'll back him.
Mind you, on occasion, he is also wrong, and I've made it abundantly clear I won't stand behind any thing illegal or unethical.@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
hi sulynsi
what you've explained is almost exactly the scenario that's going on here.. i can't bend the policies that i made out myself, so i just got to be a bit more creative in addressing the situation to the other employees.. i can only guess if they are going to be receptive towards it or not, but work still has to go on..
thanks sulynsi
what you've explained is almost exactly the scenario that's going on here.. i can't bend the policies that i made out myself, so i just got to be a bit more creative in addressing the situation to the other employees.. i can only guess if they are going to be receptive towards it or not, but work still has to go on..
thanks sulynsi 
@vandana7 (100282)
• India
3 Jul 10
I'll first give my serious opinion as usual, and then go to fun part, if you can tolerate it with the frame of mind you are in as of now.
Think of it like this, if your company had lost that revenue and more, many would be eventually leaving, so what you've done is right. Not only have you saved others their jobs, but also brought them to their senses that it doesnt work that way.
As to your need to be goody goody with your employees, it is childish! Nobody can be goody goody with everybody at all times. Everybody has differences. Treat it just like difference of opinion that is not material to you considering that you were in right. It should matter to you, if you were in wrong but you werent. Give it time, it will get digested. People will stop thinking of you as "bad person" when the reality sinks in.
Phew! That is enough of Vandy's 51 years!
Mario are you younger or older than me? :)
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
i'm 30 and age has nothing to do with me being nuts sometimes..
hehe..
and age has nothing to do with me being nuts sometimes.. hehe..
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
4 Jul 10
mario_stevens,
Stop playing around with the feeling that the company is feeling against your decisions when I think it is just a spur of emotions here.
If you are that unreasonable and bad as you have put it then I am sure your staff will be actually walking out on you already. I am sure they are aware of the mistakes these errant workers are committing and that you have been giving them enough time and chance to come around.
So, just think nothing of it because the company ultimately is there to make money and not some charity. We just need to be firm when the occasion calls for it, so good job and keep it up!
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
5 Jul 10
mario_stevens,
I am sure you would know what to do to quell any dissent or potential dissidents in your company.
Not trying to tell you what to do, but I feel that besides making an announcement you can always call for a company meeting to clear the air and establish some real communication between your staff and the management.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
7 Jul 10
thanks for the tip skysuccess
i did call for that meeting...and on top of that i got them to join me in brainstorming a couple of strategies, with a promise of a potential reward for good contributions..
it seems to be pulling everyone together. i'll see how it goes over the next few days into next week
i did call for that meeting...and on top of that i got them to join me in brainstorming a couple of strategies, with a promise of a potential reward for good contributions..
it seems to be pulling everyone together. i'll see how it goes over the next few days into next week @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
hi skysuccess
well, i don't think i'm playing around and stuff there...and i do think that there was a bit of gossip and chatter amongst the staff when those two were leaving. i just hate it when my people assume things.. i'm really thinking about making some sort of announcement to them tomorrow..
well, i don't think i'm playing around and stuff there...and i do think that there was a bit of gossip and chatter amongst the staff when those two were leaving. i just hate it when my people assume things.. i'm really thinking about making some sort of announcement to them tomorrow.. 
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Jul 10
No, it happens everywhere, even on myLot. People get banned and their friends jump to their defense, but does anybody really know what really happened other than the person who got banned and Admin? Admin can't talk about such things due to confidentiality reasons, and I'm sure you can't talk to your people about such things either. And when somebody's fired, how often do they actually speak up and say "hey, it was my fault"?
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
7 Jul 10
that really would be a rare sight indeed to see someone own up for something like that...
then again, the whole world would be a totally different place if there were a lot more honest people who speak up like that
then again, the whole world would be a totally different place if there were a lot more honest people who speak up like that 
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
5 Jul 10
My boss never hired anyone here in my workplace but people just leave on their own free will. The reason for that is because we dont get to have benefits here in the company. I think it would have been good if we have that but we dont.
I respected by boss before but he doesnt seem to respect our rights as employees. I lose my trust and respect for him already. But I guess he doesnt care because anyway he is the boss.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
5 Jul 10
well...i know some bosses who are like that too.. 
they can be quite irritating sometimes
they can be quite irritating sometimes
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
yeah...i know. it just a sucky thing to feel when i have to fire someone. not like i've not done it before, but i just don't enjoy doing it..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
thanks tolted
i do know why i did it. and they know why i did it... only that all those other employees are getting too nosy and it's beginning to get on my nerves..i hope the weekend's rest would do me good and monday would be a better day for me
i do know why i did it. and they know why i did it... only that all those other employees are getting too nosy and it's beginning to get on my nerves..i hope the weekend's rest would do me good and monday would be a better day for me 
warn them the first time...fire them the second.....@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
yup...gave them ample warning. and i even explained that they have become liabilities instead of assets for my company. well...hope that they won't repeat the same attitude at their next workplace
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
5 Jul 10
i simply have no idea at all about what they will believe.. they're just really getting on my nerves now 
that's why i look forward to being on myLot after a day at work 
that's why i look forward to being on myLot after a day at work @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
6 Jul 10
hmm...not that active i think
i just open a dozen tabs at the same time and respond and post everything at the same time...that;s why i seem like i'm everywhere 
i just open a dozen tabs at the same time and respond and post everything at the same time...that;s why i seem like i'm everywhere
@GreatAttractor100 (246)
• United States
4 Jul 10
I dont own a company and never had to fire anybody so dont know how it feels, but it sounds like those two employees were asking for it.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
well...i can tell you that running your own company isn't exactly an easy 'walk-in-the-park' kind of thing..but the challenges and experience is an invaluable thing to have
and yeah...those two monkeys do deserve the firing they got. i can't believe they actually thought they could lie to me and get away with it..
and yeah...those two monkeys do deserve the firing they got. i can't believe they actually thought they could lie to me and get away with it..
@charmlenile (387)
•
4 Jul 10
I believe that everything happens for a reason. You don't have to explain yourself for them because it's just add up for other conclusion. If I were your employee I would not question you because for the reason that they are not going to get fired if they did something good. In a way that you have reprimanded the job for them to do so. But they did not cope up with the deadline which you have given them and even given them the opportunity to proved themselves. To be able to have success in life you have to love your work because it will keep you going and not just love it but make it happen no word for maybe but love and do it that's the key so no need to be sad or devastated on the issue you have done your part.You make the company to earn profits not to destroy for the incompetent people who do not have the ability to do something properly.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
3 Jul 10
Hi Mario, A boss doesn't have to be liked but must be respected and these two obviously were taking the P****, they cost your companymoney too so right decision made. It may also makes the other employees pull their weight a bit more too having witnessed that you will ot tolerate this kind of behaviour, they had warnings and didn't take heed. Hope you find replacements soon so you are not too overloaded. Huggles. Ellie :D
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
hi Ellie
yup...i did give them sufficient reminders and stuff..i just had to show everyone here that me being nice to them isn't a sign for them to take me for granted in anything. after this nice weekend, i'm sure things would look better on monday
yup...i did give them sufficient reminders and stuff..i just had to show everyone here that me being nice to them isn't a sign for them to take me for granted in anything. after this nice weekend, i'm sure things would look better on monday 1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
4 Jul 10
Hey mario! Nice to see you! I've seen you popping in and out
of some discussions, but nothing directed to your "rollie buddy"
lately. You seem kind of busy with saphy! She needs you more
than anyone else right now so watch out for her! Me, I'll be
fine, I think....
Goodbye!
Goodbye!@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
hiya Opal.. 
well, i was a bit occupied with the mid-year things that were going on at the office..and as you can see from the discussion, there was a bit of a mess that i had to clear up too
i was looking around for you but didn't see you online yet at the time...darn that differing timezone thingy!
and those myLot notifiers have been a little bit wonky too this past few days..
well, i was a bit occupied with the mid-year things that were going on at the office..and as you can see from the discussion, there was a bit of a mess that i had to clear up too
i was looking around for you but didn't see you online yet at the time...darn that differing timezone thingy!
and those myLot notifiers have been a little bit wonky too this past few days..
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
of course i pay attention to the lovely people here too they're mostly fun and witty like you...and i don't mind the quick judgment that the do. it balances out with my slow judgement of things
they're mostly fun and witty like you...and i don't mind the quick judgment that the do. it balances out with my slow judgement of things 
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
3 Jul 10
It is lonely at the top. You don't live to please them. It's nice to be liked but there are tough decisions to be made as owner of the company.
You just said it - they do not know the entire story. If these two employees fooled you, I am sure they also made up a sob story to their co-workers. Who knows, they might have told their co-workers that they were laid off and they will be next.
No, you're not alone. It's human nature to protect yourself first and foremost. C'est la vie.
You don't live to please them. It's nice to be liked but there are tough decisions to be made as owner of the company.
You just said it - they do not know the entire story. If these two employees fooled you, I am sure they also made up a sob story to their co-workers. Who knows, they might have told their co-workers that they were laid off and they will be next.
No, you're not alone. It's human nature to protect yourself first and foremost. C'est la vie.@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 10
hi Advocate your points are nicely put there
it is kind of lonely at the top with everyone else assuming and presuming things.. and sometimes they don't understand that confidential means confidential..meaning that i can't talk about something that shouldn't be talked about.
i put my foot down when i decided too..now i'm going to be a bit creative in boosting things up again over here. if someone doesn't like it, then i'm sure that there would be a job somewhere else that they can fit in better
your points are nicely put there
it is kind of lonely at the top with everyone else assuming and presuming things.. and sometimes they don't understand that confidential means confidential..meaning that i can't talk about something that shouldn't be talked about.
i put my foot down when i decided too..now i'm going to be a bit creative in boosting things up again over here. if someone doesn't like it, then i'm sure that there would be a job somewhere else that they can fit in better 
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
3 Jul 10
I headed a small school for the disabled sometime back. We farmed, bred fish, made bricks and handicrafts for sale. To make my story short there were times when we did very well and there were times too when we weren't. I've come to realize that the people I worked with appreciated very much when I was being transparent. The ups and downs in sale wasn't much of a complain to compare with.
You probably did the right thing of firing them if you had given them enough opportunities to buck up but they didn't. 
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
3 Jul 10
thanks tomitomi
i just have this nagging bad feeling every time i'm forced to release someone from the company... but i'll get over it soon enough. a good relaxing weekend would do good for me
i just have this nagging bad feeling every time i'm forced to release someone from the company... but i'll get over it soon enough. a good relaxing weekend would do good for me 