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This week I hired an accountant/bookkeeper on Monday. She started on Tuesday. On Wednesday she was a no-show, no-call. Today she came in early to tell me the problems of the previous day. I fired her. I'm trying to run a business and I need people I can depend on to do the work they were hired to do.
Besides feeling like a jerk, I think I did the best thing by stopping this behaviour now. In the past I let it evolve and the pattern never got any better in spite of repeated assurances that things would change.
There's nothing to feel guilty about, you have a business to run and as for her let's hope it's a lesson never to be forgotten.
If this is her attitude towards work then you can imagine what your books would have looked like in 6 months time.
Too many people these days who think that a "that'll do" equals near perfection still have a long way to go and they seem to make up the majority.
yep, fired is right
did she ask for a reference
hehe
However, I might modify that based on what she said the reason was. If there were EXTREMELY extenuating circumastances (father had a heart attack, had to take to the hospital, hospital lost all inbound/outbound phone lines in a freak accident, no cell phone coverage in the vicinity of the hospital, etc.), I MIGHT give her another chance (after verifying the details of her story). However, if her father decided to have a heart attack every other day, I would still fire her.
Today she came in early to tell me the problems of the previous day. I fired her.
And you would wish to be treated in the same way..?
Intersting question. Please elaborate.
.. you wish to be treated in the same way..?
I've been fired for what I would consider to be less. It didn't feel right, but I agreed to their terms when I was hired. Likewise, this person read and agreed with signature to our company policy for all employees.
I need people I can depend on
This is the gist of the matter for me. Most days I still feel like a drowning man with a soggy rope to hang on to. I need people who can help me to manage by producing results, not excuses.
Perhaps next time you take someone on you could give them a "Employee's and Employer's charter of rights and responsibilities" before they start their first day. Then tell them that they are on special probation for the first month.
If, as an employee, I went AWOL on my second day and did not get in touch then I wouldn't be surprised to find myself fired when I showed up on day three.
But it doesn't hurt to spell things out to people sometimes just to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Perhaps next time you take someone on you could give them a "Employee's and Employer's charter of rights and responsibilities" ... it doesn't hurt to spell things out to people sometimes just to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Sorry, I don't agree there, in the context of simply not showing up for work. IMHO (sorry trillianjedi) this is one of the problems with the world today, people don't want to assume responsibility for themselves. You shouldn't have to spell out ordinary expectations. "Must not fear heights and be able to dangle from a scaffold while washing windows on a high-rise building without throwing up" is one thing, "SHOW UP FOR WORK" is something else. If you have to tell someone that, you don't want them working for you.
If someone has this attitude toward a NEW JOB, just think of how they are going to treat their work and your customers.
And you would wish to be treated in the same way..?
Absolutely, if I landed a new job and didn't show up on day one or even have the respect to find a phone and make a call, I would EXPECT to be canned. If I **didn't** get fired I would have absolutely no respect for my new employer.
There are plenty of hard-working honest people left in the world who will be glad to fill this position. It's pretty obvious you did the right thing.
give them
Too bad:
4. Neglect of duties and responsibilities will not be tolerated.
guilty
I appreciate the responses. Selling manufactured widgets is so much more than just a website.
I once had a job where the only excuse that was acceptable for not showing up or contacting the office was attending your own funeral.
If you died in your chair you were expected to finish out the day before they could haul you away.
Of course, I always figured the boss was joking about that one. ;)
Ann
If you died in your chair you were expected to finish out the day before they could haul you away.
Why? Are you running a business or a popularity contest?
And you would wish to be treated in the same way..?
This question could just as easily be asked of either party.
Just for kicks, next time you interview someone ask them what the difference is between a job and a beach party. If they say they don't know you may want to reconsider hiring them.
I am a guy who was heavily involved in unions at one point in my life, but not showing up for work on the second day, and not even phoning, is inexcusable. Shows a complete lack of responsibility.
Like somebody mentioned, if this is what she does for the second day, what would the books look like after a few months.
And you would wish to be treated in the same way..?
This is a business he's running, not a 12-step program.
Second day, no show, no call = 0 reserve of good will in the bank. Letting it slide invites disaster in the near future. Stiff consequences, with actual suffering, should be minimum penalty. If they can take it and go on to prove themselves... If not, then good riddance.
Years of service with excellent reputation and known for minimum BS = A huge reservoir of deserved good will and special consideration.
Most people fall in between of course. However, people who make excuses, or have 'things come up', tend to be the worst of recidivists. It's always going to be something. Each excuse may be reasonable or valid, but there is just no getting around that there is always something needing to be excused.
People may be created equal, but they don't stay that way for long. The cream does rise to the top. An issue with someone who rarely has issues can be handled in the most low key fashion, almost as an aside. An issue with a known PITA needs immediate intervention.
Honestly, you did her a favor. Hopefully she'll learn from the experience.
My advice is to first employ your family members that want/need a job.
After those, employ people that want to join your family. They will be harder to find, but, worth it!
Loyalty is hard to find, much harder to buy! Time is the best buying instrument, not hard cash.
Time is by its very nature not a quick solution, hard cash by its very nature is a tricky solution. Family by there very nature will simply "do the right thing" and that is a great solution for all :)
