Let’s hear your sacking stories.
Discussion
Mods, I put this in the Lounge because I’m hoping for more general anecdotal, bizarre, funny, sad stories from life rather than employment matters. I hope that’s OK.
TLDR.
Have you ever fired someone? How did you feel while doing it? How did the other person react?
I’ve had to do it a few times and with one exception, it is something I hate doing. Part of me sometimes thinks that to get so far as firing someone, I or the business has failed in some way. Either we didn’t hire properly, or didn’t act soon enough. It’s not always the case, every situation is unique I guess.
The first time was a freelance who was a few years older than me, and more experienced in the Job. We hired her and she was an utter disaster. I was newly promoted and pretty young for the job, and fairly inexperienced. Becoming increasingly frustrated I told my boss she had to go. He agreed, so I asked him when he was going to sack her. Seeing the chance for an important life lesson, he told me it was my job to fire her as my predecessor had hired her. We had a talk about responsibility that came with the job title.
I was crapping myself. It didn’t go well. Tears and shouting. (Her, not me) She tried everything to dissuade me. That evening she called me at home wailing crying and begging.
I guess I came across as a bit of a
.
About a decade later at a different company, I took a call for my boss. It was the same woman looking for work. When she twigged it was me she started ranting and swearing before hanging up.
Another one who springs to mind is someone who within weeks of joining the firm became a manipulative, divisive and toxic element in what was a happy, motivated and productive team. What possessed someone on probation in a professional role to behave in the way they did mystifies me.
They were genuinely shocked when I called them in for a goodbye chat following a scene they caused in the office the day before, One of several incidents.
I know I came across as a that day. Just before the meeting I saw her struggling to log on to her PC. Our over enthusiastic IT guys had disabled her account, and key fob about half an hour before I fired her. I have no regrets.
Sadly I have also been involved in redundancy processes where I’ve tried to do my very best for those involved. A horrible, horrible part of a job.
TLDR.
Have you ever fired someone? How did you feel while doing it? How did the other person react?
I’ve had to do it a few times and with one exception, it is something I hate doing. Part of me sometimes thinks that to get so far as firing someone, I or the business has failed in some way. Either we didn’t hire properly, or didn’t act soon enough. It’s not always the case, every situation is unique I guess.
The first time was a freelance who was a few years older than me, and more experienced in the Job. We hired her and she was an utter disaster. I was newly promoted and pretty young for the job, and fairly inexperienced. Becoming increasingly frustrated I told my boss she had to go. He agreed, so I asked him when he was going to sack her. Seeing the chance for an important life lesson, he told me it was my job to fire her as my predecessor had hired her. We had a talk about responsibility that came with the job title.
I was crapping myself. It didn’t go well. Tears and shouting. (Her, not me) She tried everything to dissuade me. That evening she called me at home wailing crying and begging.
I guess I came across as a bit of a
. About a decade later at a different company, I took a call for my boss. It was the same woman looking for work. When she twigged it was me she started ranting and swearing before hanging up.
Another one who springs to mind is someone who within weeks of joining the firm became a manipulative, divisive and toxic element in what was a happy, motivated and productive team. What possessed someone on probation in a professional role to behave in the way they did mystifies me.
They were genuinely shocked when I called them in for a goodbye chat following a scene they caused in the office the day before, One of several incidents.
I know I came across as a
that day. Just before the meeting I saw her struggling to log on to her PC. Our over enthusiastic IT guys had disabled her account, and key fob about half an hour before I fired her. I have no regrets.Sadly I have also been involved in redundancy processes where I’ve tried to do my very best for those involved. A horrible, horrible part of a job.
We "fired" someone who had claimed he had fallen at work and his back was damaged etc. He was seen running across the car park after the "accident" to go home. We hired a PI to follow him. Had film of him doing his garden carrying bags of shopping etc despite him telling us he couldn't move, drive etc.
When he returned to work we invited him to an exit interview. We turned on the video for him. He got up and walked out never to be seen or heard again. Best £500 ever spent. His face when it came on!
Other sackings not so nice, it is never nice even if it is deserved.
When he returned to work we invited him to an exit interview. We turned on the video for him. He got up and walked out never to be seen or heard again. Best £500 ever spent. His face when it came on!
Other sackings not so nice, it is never nice even if it is deserved.
Tom8 said:
it is never nice even if it is deserved.
I really think that this is the statement on which to close the thread. Many of us have had to do it, in many different circumstances and for many different reasons. The infallible common denominator is that you are dealing with another human being.Not the most exciting story, but I was in my first job at a company consisting of just three people, being paid peanuts and worked like a pit pony. I found a better job, applied for it and got an interview. I had to tell my boss that I needed an unpaid day off as I had no annual leave left. After he'd pressed me enough I finally conceded that it was for an interview. He was obviously butthurt by this and fired me. Fortunately I got the other job!
ClaphamGT3 said:
Tom8 said:
it is never nice even if it is deserved.
I really think that this is the statement on which to close the thread. Many of us have had to do it, in many different circumstances and for many different reasons. The infallible common denominator is that you are dealing with another human being.I truly hope he’s doing well in life.
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Monday 14th February 12:55
I have sacked three people.
The first was an analyst who chronically underperformed. Somehow he just couldn’t read the very clear signs set down for him: deliver A, B and C.
Instead he’d be off delivering D, E and F which while interesting meant the team couldn’t function correctly.
After plenty of warnings he was put under performance management “remember, just focus on A, B and C. There literally is a check box you can tick here” - still wondered off. Tried to have an argument about how vital he was to the business.
As dead clear goals had been met, his complete surprise when given the ultimatum of leave or be left was interesting. He just didn’t live in the real world.
The second failed a background check when moving to a new role.
The third I had to make redundant due to COVID. It was awful. A lady who had been a great team member; and was extremely loyal to me. But new projects were unlikely to be coming along any time soon in our sector.
I feel lucky that I run a relatively small team, and we take on new people with great care. Generally we celebrate them moving on to greater things!
Some of my colleagues have had weeks of making people redundant all day due to COVID. Extremely depressing. I’m lucky I had some vacancies to give up, and our team are in technology so were in demand.
The first was an analyst who chronically underperformed. Somehow he just couldn’t read the very clear signs set down for him: deliver A, B and C.
Instead he’d be off delivering D, E and F which while interesting meant the team couldn’t function correctly.
After plenty of warnings he was put under performance management “remember, just focus on A, B and C. There literally is a check box you can tick here” - still wondered off. Tried to have an argument about how vital he was to the business.
As dead clear goals had been met, his complete surprise when given the ultimatum of leave or be left was interesting. He just didn’t live in the real world.
The second failed a background check when moving to a new role.
The third I had to make redundant due to COVID. It was awful. A lady who had been a great team member; and was extremely loyal to me. But new projects were unlikely to be coming along any time soon in our sector.
I feel lucky that I run a relatively small team, and we take on new people with great care. Generally we celebrate them moving on to greater things!
Some of my colleagues have had weeks of making people redundant all day due to COVID. Extremely depressing. I’m lucky I had some vacancies to give up, and our team are in technology so were in demand.
ClaphamGT3 said:
I really think that this is the statement on which to close the thread. Many of us have had to do it, in many different circumstances and for many different reasons. The infallible common denominator is that you are dealing with another human being.
Exactly. It’s a day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. For better or for worse as it may turn out in the end for them. Not me, but I was involved.
Used to be a contractor for a defence company. Had been away for 6 months doing something else, and my old gaffer called me up and asked if I'd go back to help finish the job off.
Turns out the guy they hired to replace me wasn't cutting the mustard.
Actually, turned out he was a raging alcoholic, and showed up late, repeatedly, reeking of booze.
So, got all the security paperwork organised and started on a Monday morning a couple of weeks later.
Got in on my first day, didn't actually know the story, and got chatting to the guys, mostly good friends; I'd worked with many of them before for several years.
Got filled in on the story, this guy hadn't been seen for weeks. Was told to sit at his desk until all my IT was up and running.
Then he appeared, unexpectedly, back at work that morning, half an hour after I'd made myself comfortable at his desk.
The boss pulled him to one side, filled him in, that he was being let go, and I'd been brought back to replace him.
He then went off on one in the middle of the office, and started snatching things off his desk that I was sitting at, having a massive wobbly at me for 'stealing his job'.
Pretty badly handled by the management. Difficult to feel too sorry for him though when he's calling me a 'f**king c*nt".
Used to be a contractor for a defence company. Had been away for 6 months doing something else, and my old gaffer called me up and asked if I'd go back to help finish the job off.
Turns out the guy they hired to replace me wasn't cutting the mustard.
Actually, turned out he was a raging alcoholic, and showed up late, repeatedly, reeking of booze.
So, got all the security paperwork organised and started on a Monday morning a couple of weeks later.
Got in on my first day, didn't actually know the story, and got chatting to the guys, mostly good friends; I'd worked with many of them before for several years.
Got filled in on the story, this guy hadn't been seen for weeks. Was told to sit at his desk until all my IT was up and running.
Then he appeared, unexpectedly, back at work that morning, half an hour after I'd made myself comfortable at his desk.
The boss pulled him to one side, filled him in, that he was being let go, and I'd been brought back to replace him.
He then went off on one in the middle of the office, and started snatching things off his desk that I was sitting at, having a massive wobbly at me for 'stealing his job'.
Pretty badly handled by the management. Difficult to feel too sorry for him though when he's calling me a 'f**king c*nt".
The only person I've had to fire was due to a litany of offences including theft from the company, theft from clients, failing to advise us that he'd been disqualified from driving (and continued to drive company vehicles).
Been watching him and gathering evidence for weeks, then went through all of the correct procedures such as suspension for gross misconduct etc.
He took us to the Industrial Tribunal (pulling the Race Card), and we lost.
A very expensive lesson, and a mistake we'll not make again.
Been watching him and gathering evidence for weeks, then went through all of the correct procedures such as suspension for gross misconduct etc.
He took us to the Industrial Tribunal (pulling the Race Card), and we lost.
A very expensive lesson, and a mistake we'll not make again.
One total lack of foresight - 'I think my way of doing something is better' analysis occurs, results say its not. Refuses to work on the better way, then was surprised that meant they were fired for refusing to do work.
Another genuinely rather sad story, I had to review someone's dismissal when they appealed. Person dismissed for not performing in their role. They then developed mental health issues on top of previous eccentricity, talking about bashing colleagues heads in during their appeal hearing. Even their union rep realised they were on a hiding to nothing at that point.
Another genuinely rather sad story, I had to review someone's dismissal when they appealed. Person dismissed for not performing in their role. They then developed mental health issues on top of previous eccentricity, talking about bashing colleagues heads in during their appeal hearing. Even their union rep realised they were on a hiding to nothing at that point.
Got sacked once in my hometown
I was on a list of qualified substitute teacher. Got called from a gov funded school for a 3 months higher school (similar to 6 form in UK).
Told by the headmaster just follow the book, as they are very concern about exam results. Teach by the book for a week, and decide I will go on to make my own teaching materials as I disagree with "teach for exam". Mid of 2nd week, got ask to meet with department head and give me a letter telling me "my service will be no longer be required by the end of that week". Shock but happily accept it.
I kept my name in qualified substitute teacher in the next two years, got a few more substitute teacher jobs, all of them are gov funded school, some do not care what I teach, how I teach. Some very strict about the materials, and some welcome my way of teaching. 3 years in this "side job" fed up and move onto different career path.
I was on a list of qualified substitute teacher. Got called from a gov funded school for a 3 months higher school (similar to 6 form in UK).
Told by the headmaster just follow the book, as they are very concern about exam results. Teach by the book for a week, and decide I will go on to make my own teaching materials as I disagree with "teach for exam". Mid of 2nd week, got ask to meet with department head and give me a letter telling me "my service will be no longer be required by the end of that week". Shock but happily accept it.
I kept my name in qualified substitute teacher in the next two years, got a few more substitute teacher jobs, all of them are gov funded school, some do not care what I teach, how I teach. Some very strict about the materials, and some welcome my way of teaching. 3 years in this "side job" fed up and move onto different career path.
My boss at the last place was trying to get me into a more managerial role but he was very clear about having to do stuff like that, thought he was going to get me to fire someone as like an initiation 
Made it to a global team leadership role then got made redundant, now just back to no direct reports and get paid the same.
Did have to pull rank on a mate who said he couldn't come in as his mum was out and the dog would be on his own if he came in the office.
Made it to a global team leadership role then got made redundant, now just back to no direct reports and get paid the same.
Did have to pull rank on a mate who said he couldn't come in as his mum was out and the dog would be on his own if he came in the office.
First time was very iffy but at the time I didn't know better (I was 19). Had to sack one of my reports, a middle aged man, who was sexually harrassing young male students. Very direct conversation and he was out the door in 15 minutes.
Second one a young chef who I discovered had been sleeping at work and drank best part of a bottle of scotch every night. Found him passed out on the kitchen floor with a live lobster eyeing him up... oh and a pheasant... live, the noise of whch attracted me to the kitchen! This was after he tried to release cooked lobsters back into the sea at a wedding receiption completely off his head on weed and drink. I was sad to see him go, he was a great chef when he was sober/awake.
Next ones were two activity instructors who shot eachother with air rifles to see if it hurt. They both ended up in A&E with Police involvement. Two dheads who weren't missed.
A bar manager who was nicking stock and fiddling the till, called him out on it, he walked before I could sack him. And another chef who assisted with a break in by leaving a door unlocked, not enough evidence for the Police but enough for me get shot, in the end he had to move 100 miles before he could get another job cheffing.
Plenty of people "moved on" due to performnce reviews/management but no-one sacked in the past 7 years.
Second one a young chef who I discovered had been sleeping at work and drank best part of a bottle of scotch every night. Found him passed out on the kitchen floor with a live lobster eyeing him up... oh and a pheasant... live, the noise of whch attracted me to the kitchen! This was after he tried to release cooked lobsters back into the sea at a wedding receiption completely off his head on weed and drink. I was sad to see him go, he was a great chef when he was sober/awake.
Next ones were two activity instructors who shot eachother with air rifles to see if it hurt. They both ended up in A&E with Police involvement. Two d
heads who weren't missed. A bar manager who was nicking stock and fiddling the till, called him out on it, he walked before I could sack him. And another chef who assisted with a break in by leaving a door unlocked, not enough evidence for the Police but enough for me get shot, in the end he had to move 100 miles before he could get another job cheffing.
Plenty of people "moved on" due to performnce reviews/management but no-one sacked in the past 7 years.
I think I must be one of the very few people to ever get 'sacked' from work experience in school. Do they even still do work experience now?
I was properly pissed off as my placement was in an industry which I really wanted to work in, but there were two of us from the same school as it was a huge employer in the area, so we were paired together. It was all a misunderstanding really and they were ill prepared for our arrival and didn't know what to do with us for a week. So on the second day we were told to 'keep ourselves busy for half an hour' inside an enormous factory. We didn't rush back and lost track of time, I think we must have been in and out of some 'no go' areas, it's a long time ago, I can't remember exactly now. But when we finally returned to the offices we got a bking for going AWOL and got told to go back to school and don't come back.
That's genuinely how it happened, unless my mate was robbing stuff without me realising or something I'll never know. We were gone an hour max I'd say, it felt harsh at the time.
We got a royal bking the next day at school and had to sit in empty classrooms for the rest of the week.
I was properly pissed off as my placement was in an industry which I really wanted to work in, but there were two of us from the same school as it was a huge employer in the area, so we were paired together. It was all a misunderstanding really and they were ill prepared for our arrival and didn't know what to do with us for a week. So on the second day we were told to 'keep ourselves busy for half an hour' inside an enormous factory. We didn't rush back and lost track of time, I think we must have been in and out of some 'no go' areas, it's a long time ago, I can't remember exactly now. But when we finally returned to the offices we got a b
king for going AWOL and got told to go back to school and don't come back. That's genuinely how it happened, unless my mate was robbing stuff without me realising or something I'll never know. We were gone an hour max I'd say, it felt harsh at the time.
We got a royal b
king the next day at school and had to sit in empty classrooms for the rest of the week.I've only had to sack one person but the time it took, paperwork, policy, stress was enough to confirm people management wasn't for me. Horrible thing to deal with.
It didn't help that it was a fairly good mate I had to sack. I discovered he'd been falsifying company expense claims which had been going on for years to the value of thousands. End of employment (and friendship). Like most thieves he only got caught when greed took over and the claims got bigger and bigger until it got flagged to me.
It didn't help that it was a fairly good mate I had to sack. I discovered he'd been falsifying company expense claims which had been going on for years to the value of thousands. End of employment (and friendship). Like most thieves he only got caught when greed took over and the claims got bigger and bigger until it got flagged to me.
Yes, last time was only a few months ago. New contract guy had been with us only a few weeks. Seemed like a good guy but then failed a random D&A test for cannabis. He tried to explain he wasn't a 'user' but then admitted to vaping CBD oil. As we have a zero tolerance policy for such things he was shown the door.
GT03ROB said:
I'm a psychopath.
I take great pleasure sacking people. More so when they cry.
I used to enjoy it too..... only because they deserved it- I worked in high end restaurants and hotels for years and was sacking people very often, usually still in the heat of whatever offence had just occurred. I would tear strips off them until there was nothing left.I take great pleasure sacking people. More so when they cry.
Always young chefs who just weren't as good as they thought and who couldn't just shut their mouths and get on with it when challenged.
It sometimes turned nasty with threats and pushing/shoving and one Italian dude came back with a sawn off one night and shot the place up after being booted, He just couldn't accept he wasn't good enough.
This is primarily in Michelin starred (or aspiring) places in the 90s - a part of the industry that chews people up and spits them out daily.
No doubt things have changed now but at the time it was a toxic working environment with bad feeling amongst colleagues that would sometimes boil over into violence in the kitchen in just about every establishment I worked in.
I sacked a single dad with two kids who was obviously struggling with managing his life and who was actually good at his job (when he turned in) who cried and cried when we had the chat.... I felt bad for a good while afterwards because he really was a good guy but he'd had all his chances.
And then 10yrs later (last November) I bump into him! I expected it to be awkward but he was appreciative of the experience and was now running his own restaurant and sympathised with my position at the time .
Vindicated! It's all character building I tell ya!
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