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The Sunny Side of Firing Someone
A learning experience for everyone involved
I’ve had the unpleasant duty on more than one occasion of having to tell someone they were no longer employed at our company.
This is a terrible thing for those who have to leave, who usually do not even get much warning. It can also be very tough on whoever has to break the news. I’ve had people crying in my office after they found out, and I’ve seen people get angry. I’ve had to let go of someone who has kids and a family and who was the primary income provider for the family. It never feels good to be involved in this process, even in the best cases.
There are different reasons why someone may be kicked out of their jobs — Yes, kicked out. That may be a harsh way to say it, but “asked to leave” is just one of many euphemisms that do not accurately convey the reality of the situation.
Here are three different scenarios that I have run into over the many years I’ve spent in the engineering world. While none of them are great to be involved with — as either a manager or ‘affected employee’ — sometimes, there are silver linings.
Scenario 1: Misery Loves Company
Employees who are relatively junior may not have seen this situation come to pass yet, especially those who…
