Firing a subordinate

[Ghazinator1313]

Hi Everyone,
Not sure if there is a thread similar to this, if so mods please: But I am seeking advice. Basically, I manage a few cell phone stores in the US, and am in charge of everything from staffing to sales to marketing. Lately, one of my employees(I would not call him a friend, but he is an acquaintance who I have known for years), has started to make demands and basically have the demeanor that he runs the show. These include: calling off for minor things such as headaches and ankle sprains, wanting me to bring in water so he is hydrated, needing off every week for personal reasons. Usually, I work with him to allow him his time off. I let him go to Jummah without deducting hours from his paycheck and let him take paid breaks, which is something that my predecessor did not allow. However, this week we have had very sparse coverage and I asked him to take only one 30 minute break. This is after he called off yesterday after being the only employee scheduled because he had a migraine. In return, he proceeded to be unprofessional and tried to blackmail me, basically stating how I am not a good manager and that he could "snitch" to higher management about how I do not do my job and how I avoid my responsibilities, using a bunch of explicative words over text communication. Keeping it as professional as possible, I proceeded to visit him in person and told him to turn in his key, take a few days off, and let me know how he wants to move forward, which only drew more unprofessionalism and explicative language. Also, this is a fellow Pakistani :Maqsood. I just wanted to see how some on here would have handled this situation or what they would be doing differently, or if they have had similar experiences. Discuss!

 

[jaspa888]

You need to act, and fast. You have to decide on a line, and make that line clear to this colleague.

The most difficult thing in being a manager (or worse, an owner) in a business is that you have to be a little aloof to your subordinates. They can still be your friends, but need to know there is a line they cant cross.

You need to discipline this employee, or even let him go. Otherwise your will have no authority or respect from him, and other subordinates who will be carefully watching how you handle this situation.

My final advice to you is to handle this legally and responsibly. There is nothing more frustrating or damaging than you taking some form of decisive action, and then legal ramifications happening from you not do it technically or properly.

Good luck.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Firstly it doesn't matter if he's a fellow Pakistani or a fan of Modi, get this out of your thinking.

Since he has made threats against you, stop treating him with kid gloves and being nice. You have his texts with abuse. Talk to your boss or human resources dept and demand he be fired or suspended.

What are you sacred of?

 

[Ghazinator1313]

You need to act, and fast. You have to decide on a line, and make that line clear to this colleague.

The most difficult thing in being a manager (or worse, an owner) in a business is that you have to be a little aloof to your subordinates. They can still be your friends, but need to know there is a line they cant cross.

You need to discipline this employee, or even let him go. Otherwise your will have no authority or respect from him, and other subordinates who will be carefully watching how you handle this situation.

My final advice to you is to handle this legally and responsibly. There is nothing more frustrating or damaging than you taking some form of decisive action, and then legal ramifications happening from you not do it technically or properly.

Good luck.

Thank you for your feedback. I basically have fired him, within an hour of this taking place. We are an at will employment company. However, I know how he is so I played it smart by telling him to "think about it," while having him turn in his keys. There is zero chance I will have him come back. The line is drawn. I just wanted to see some other views on it.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Firstly it doesn't matter if he's a fellow Pakistani or a fan of Modi, get this out of your thinking.

Since he has made threats against you, stop treating him with kid gloves and being nice. You have his texts with abuse. Talk to your boss or human resources dept and demand he be fired or suspended.

What are you sacred of?

I completely agree. The reason I said "fellow Pakistani" is because I have seen Pakistanis in my area worse than other Americans as far as employees are concerned. And when I saw him in person, I told him to call higher management and say whatever he thinks is necessary. The only thing that irked me was his unprofessionalism. I am very "jungli" at heart and alhumdulillah in excellent mental and physical shape to take on any challenge. I just kept it professional in the workplace.

 

[rhony]

U basically let a snake thrive under you. But if this is in the US, you.must be prepared for any wrongful termination notices from him through your HR or an outside attorney. If you back down now, he knows you are afraid. Proceed with care and confess anything to HR beforehand.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

U basically let a snake thrive under you. But if this is in the US, you.must be prepared for any wrongful termination notices from him through your HR or an outside attorney. If you back down now, he knows you are afraid. Proceed with care and confess anything to HR beforehand.

Yea, it is unfortunate. I foresaw this situation and I have not "fired" him. Simply asked him to take a few days off and let me know how he wants to proceed . But, I am sure he understands where he is positioned at the moment. If anything, I have got him on record attempting to blackmail me in case he does try to escalate it further.

 

[rhony]

Yea, it is unfortunate. I foresaw this situation and I have not "fired" him. Simply asked him to take a few days off and let me know how he wants to proceed . But, I am sure he understands where he is positioned at the moment. If anything, I have got him on record attempting to blackmail me in case he does try to escalate it further.

Good move. Put him on notice and make sure the old mistakes are not made. Keep your guard up with this guy always. Let's also hope he is not a pakpassion member

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Good move. Put him on notice and make sure the old mistakes are not made. Keep your guard up with this guy always. Let's also hope he is not a pakpassion member

LOL man that would be awkward. No, for all intents and purposes, he is done. But hey, that's HIS decision . I have had to fire people before, but no one has felt like they could blatantly blackmail me and keep their job. I have known this guy for years, and have been acquainted with him, however no major friendship. At the time he applied, he was the best candidate in a small pool, so I decided to move ahead with hiring him.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Not sure if that prior relationship made him feel it was acceptable to act the way he did.

 

[rhony]

Not sure if that prior relationship made him feel it was acceptable to act the way he did.

It's a defense mechanism. A last ditch effort if you will. I'd say give him a.warning and spare his job unless it's an empty threat. If there is really something at his disposal to put u in trouble, don't let ego take over. It's tricky.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

It's a defense mechanism. A last ditch effort if you will. I'd say give him a.warning and spare his job unless it's an empty threat. If there is really something at his disposal to put u in trouble, don't let ego take over. It's tricky.

I just don't see how I can keep him after the blatant disrespect he has shown. That will set a dangerous precedence for all other employees, management, and corporate reps that check in on us. All he really has on me is his word that I do not do my job, with very little evidence to back up those claims.

 

[jaspa888]

Id say definitely do NO keep him. He is a bad egg with no respect for you or your authority. His malevolent presence will rub off on his colleagues if he sticks around. Good riddance.

 

[sjahmed23]

You have to be careful with becoming too friendly with subordinates, they always will take advantage of that friendship. Seen it happen too many times.

 

[rhony]

I just don't see how I can keep him after the blatant disrespect he has shown. That will set a dangerous precedence for all other employees, management, and corporate reps that check in on us. All he really has on me is his word that I do not do my job, with very little evidence to back up those claims.

If that's all he has, then kick him to the curb

 

[Ghazinator1313]

It's a defense mechanism. A last ditch effort if you will. I'd say give him a.warning and spare his job unless it's an empty threat. If there is really something at his disposal to put u in trouble, don't let ego take over. It's tricky.

I just don't see how I can keep him after the blatant disrespect he has shown. That will set a dangerous precedence for all other employees, management, and corporate reps that check in on us. All he really has on me is his word that I do not do my job, with very little evidence to back up those claims.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

You already got some excellent replies.

Just to add: never forget HR people are there so that company may not lose money or don't get sued.
You must align your interests and the HR's so that they may work in your favor.

HR people are not your friends; they are there to save company money.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

You already got some excellent replies.

Just to add: never forget HR people are there so that company may not lose money or don't get sued.
You must align your interests and the HR's so that they may work in your favor.

HR people are not your friends; they are there to save company money.

Of course, which is why I restrained myself from answering him in the same tone and manner in which he conducted himself. Also, pre employment, there is a clause saying they can be fired for insubordination. Plus, he went on record to say he can get me fired (his words: "I can snitch on you for so many things to upper management.") If anything, he can get in some heat for attempting to blackmail a superior. And even the conversation I had with him when I told him to take some time off and think about how he wants to proceed is recorded, with him clearly stating explicative words along with other non professional statements. Plus, at the end of the day, what is meant for me will happen regardless of what he does. I simply cannot stand for the amount of disrespect shown.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

And to think this is all because I asked him to only take one 30 minute break during his shift. And not his usual 90 minute break on Friday which I typically allow if there is coverage.

 

[KingKhanWC]

And to think this is all because I asked him to only take one 30 minute break during his shift. And not his usual 90 minute break on Friday which I typically allow if there is coverage.

Can I ask, are you female?

 

[gazza619]

You need to report him, full stop. Get him sacked! The way i see it you would torcher youself working around this idiot. Its either you or him as i see it. But you need to act wisely, prepare a proper report with facts against him in writing.

 

[Pakistanian]

let him go

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Can I ask, are you female?

Yes you may, and no I am not. Lol just your mild mannered district manager.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

You need to report him, full stop. Get him sacked! The way i see it you would torcher youself working around this idiot. Its either you or him as i see it. But you need to act wisely, prepare a proper report with facts against him in writing.

Yep, he is done. But technically, I never told him he is fired. If he decides to escalate, I am ready. Lol reminds me of current events. Anyway, I have documented all his shortcomings as of late and have footage of him hanging out with a buddy at work all day. Plus, I had a customer come in today complaining he seemed very uninterested and just stuck to a basic script. So, I think so far I've played this out decently. Let us see how it develops.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Also, a little background: this guy is about 25. When he was 17-18 he had a run in with police for breaking into cars. I hired him, despite knowing that and thinking he has been clean for years so he deserves a chance. I guess people always mistake kindness for weakness.

 

[gazza619]

Yep, he is done. But technically, I never told him he is fired. If he decides to escalate, I am ready. Lol reminds me of current events. Anyway, I have documented all his shortcomings as of late and have footage of him hanging out with a buddy at work all day. Plus, I had a customer come in today complaining he seemed very uninterested and just stuck to a basic script. So, I think so far I've played this out decently. Let us see how it develops.

Good job.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Yes you may, and no I am not. Lol just your mild mannered district manager.

ok sorry lol.

Its just often some employees act differently towards a female manager than they do with a male.

 

[gazza619]

ok sorry lol.

Its just often some employees act differently towards a female manager than they do with a male.

I know some may get excited if they think a poster is a female poster

Lol kidding

 

[Ghazinator1313]

ok sorry lol.

Its just often some employees act differently towards a female manager than they do with a male.

lol absolutely agree. Some men cannot bear taking orders from a female.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

UPDATE: He texted me saying I have a problem with accusing good employees of lying. And I am getting rid of a VERY good employee because of this problem. It is becoming comedic at this point.

 

[gazza619]

UPDATE: He texted me saying I have a problem with accusing good employees of lying. And I am getting rid of a VERY good employee because of this problem. It is becoming comedic at this point.

Ridiculous. You need to be careful of this chap.

Ignore him but at the same time be vigilant. He looks like someone who would want revenge.

 

[Ghazinator1313]

Ridiculous. You need to be careful of this chap.

Ignore him but at the same time be vigilant. He looks like someone who would want revenge.

Yep, I fully expect him to try and complain to higher management and corporate reps. Texted me again last night: "So, what's the deal or do you plan on not communicating at all?"

#HowToKeepYouJob101

 

[Ghazinator1313]

UPDATE: Left my position as business was sold and my company wanted me to relocate, which I could not due to commitments here. The last communication from this subordinate was "hope your I.T. degree helps you find a new job when you get fired." Alhumdulillah starting in a B.A. role with a new company in June. Dua lag gayi dost ki