"This isn't fair, no
matter how you
look at it. . . "
The most trecherous place in America. . .
Dear Kristine:
I took this position several weeks before I understood exactly what it meant.
The man who did this before me was ten years older than I am; I think he knew
a whole lot more than I do but he's gone now so that's that.
Yesterday my supervisor told me he wanted me to be the one to tell him which
of the ten people who work for me should be fired.
His supervisor told him to fire six people.
If I come up with three names, I make it easier for my boss to not have
to make any painful decisions.
If I come up with six, chances are he won't fire me.
I took this position several weeks before I understood exactly what it meant.
The man who did this before me was ten years older than I am; I think he knew
a whole lot more than I do but he's gone now so that's that.
Yesterday my supervisor told me he wanted me to be the one to tell him which
of the ten people who work for me should be fired.
His supervisor told him to fire six people.
If I come up with three names, I make it easier for my boss to not have
to make any painful decisions.
If I come up with six, chances are he won't fire me.
If I had known this would be part of my job, I would never have
said yes to the offer.
The ten people who work for me have all been with the company forever.
I think the longest is thirty years . The shortest is a little over five years.
This isn't fair, no matter how you look at it.
I shouldn't be in this situation. What will I do? Will I fire six of the best
people I've ever worked with in order to save my own job? I want to tell
my boss what I really think - that I haven't been here long enough to
make this decision. And then, I want to quit.
I don't think they pay enough to make this decision either, now that I think of it.
Am I crazy? Do people quit jobs today, with the economy in the tank like it is?
Can you give me a little guidance here, Kristine? I'll watch for your reply in my email.
-Andy
_______________________________________\
Dear Andy,
It does my heart good to read your email. Andy, I know you're facing a
tough decision, but you are facing it with the right questions.
I agree with you when you reflect on the fact that you have not been
in your position long enough to assess who should stay and who should go.
I don't know how much they pay you, but I also agree that it is not enough
to make the decision your supervisor is asking you to make.
And yes,people do quit jobs. Especially today - especially when we are
treated poorly by employers who think they can take unfair advantage.
Speaking of unfair advantage - Andy, I think your employer is a creep.
I bet you a month's salary that your job is on the chopping block and
no matter what you do, you will one of the six who are fired.
Why would this not be so? You are the most recent hire, you have
the least experience, you follow a person older, more seasoned - - and
you are surrounded by masters; each of them more necessary than you.
Andy - this is a set-up. Getting rid of employees is the nightmare of
every company, supervisor and manager. Your supervisor doesn't
want to make the tough decision and so he has passed it to you.
Think of it - if you turn over six names, he fires five, blames you and fires you.
If you give him three, he fires you and the others - still blames you,
and survives the laying off of the others; reputation in tact.
Andy, Andy, Andy - - I like you so much. I want you to begin today to
circulate that alarmingly wonderful resume of yours.
Get it out the door - - hunt for that next job immediately.
I mean, do this yesterday.
And stall. Stall, stall, stall when your supervisor asks to
pass him the names of the impending dead.
If God is good, you will be spared turning on your colleagues - but
even God can't save you from being fired. That's going to happen, Andy my friend.
Now, if God is not good, if God is in Iraq this week (and she is so busy there,
so we must always consider this possibility), before this ugly mess is over, you
will have to give up one, two names before you get your walking papers.
Either way, the jig is up. This job is nonsense and you are toast.
None of this sounds legitimate or healthy - - and Andy, you are still both.
I fear for your immortal soul - - update that resume and head for the hills.
Never look back. Like you said, if you knew then what you know now,
you wouldn't have taken the job in the first place. Get yourself back to
that "first place," and stay there.
There's another job.
There always is.
The next one will be better.
Have a little faith.
said yes to the offer.
The ten people who work for me have all been with the company forever.
I think the longest is thirty years . The shortest is a little over five years.
This isn't fair, no matter how you look at it.
I shouldn't be in this situation. What will I do? Will I fire six of the best
people I've ever worked with in order to save my own job? I want to tell
my boss what I really think - that I haven't been here long enough to
make this decision. And then, I want to quit.
I don't think they pay enough to make this decision either, now that I think of it.
Am I crazy? Do people quit jobs today, with the economy in the tank like it is?
Can you give me a little guidance here, Kristine? I'll watch for your reply in my email.
-Andy
_______________________________________\
Dear Andy,
It does my heart good to read your email. Andy, I know you're facing a
tough decision, but you are facing it with the right questions.
I agree with you when you reflect on the fact that you have not been
in your position long enough to assess who should stay and who should go.
I don't know how much they pay you, but I also agree that it is not enough
to make the decision your supervisor is asking you to make.
And yes,people do quit jobs. Especially today - especially when we are
treated poorly by employers who think they can take unfair advantage.
Speaking of unfair advantage - Andy, I think your employer is a creep.
I bet you a month's salary that your job is on the chopping block and
no matter what you do, you will one of the six who are fired.
Why would this not be so? You are the most recent hire, you have
the least experience, you follow a person older, more seasoned - - and
you are surrounded by masters; each of them more necessary than you.
Andy - this is a set-up. Getting rid of employees is the nightmare of
every company, supervisor and manager. Your supervisor doesn't
want to make the tough decision and so he has passed it to you.
Think of it - if you turn over six names, he fires five, blames you and fires you.
If you give him three, he fires you and the others - still blames you,
and survives the laying off of the others; reputation in tact.
Andy, Andy, Andy - - I like you so much. I want you to begin today to
circulate that alarmingly wonderful resume of yours.
Get it out the door - - hunt for that next job immediately.
I mean, do this yesterday.
And stall. Stall, stall, stall when your supervisor asks to
pass him the names of the impending dead.
If God is good, you will be spared turning on your colleagues - but
even God can't save you from being fired. That's going to happen, Andy my friend.
Now, if God is not good, if God is in Iraq this week (and she is so busy there,
so we must always consider this possibility), before this ugly mess is over, you
will have to give up one, two names before you get your walking papers.
Either way, the jig is up. This job is nonsense and you are toast.
None of this sounds legitimate or healthy - - and Andy, you are still both.
I fear for your immortal soul - - update that resume and head for the hills.
Never look back. Like you said, if you knew then what you know now,
you wouldn't have taken the job in the first place. Get yourself back to
that "first place," and stay there.
There's another job.
There always is.
The next one will be better.
Have a little faith.
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