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Need some advice from people managers.....(updated page 6) Login/Join 
Semper Fi - 1775
Picture of Ronin1069
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quote:
Originally posted by jehzsa:
No good deed goes unpunished?

I think you might be stepping into a quagmire. If allowed in your state, record it. If not---a witness.


Recording is a "no no" in MN.

Minnesota is also an "at will" state which means I can pretty much fire him for whatever reason I want ... the worst that can happen is we'll have to pay unemployment for a while.


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All it takes...is all you got.
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For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know

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Posts: 12332 | Location: Belly of the Beast | Registered: January 02, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Chip away the stone
Picture of rusbro
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I appreciate you trying to spell your expectations out clearly and giving him a chance to change his ways, but I think he will only be offended and maddened by your proposed statement. I can't imagine him having a "he's right, I'm wrong" realization as he will be too emotional about your statement. Maybe 10 years from now he'll feel that way, but not now.

I think simply too many flaws, serious flaws, have come to light for him to remain in that position. IMO, the statement should simply be along the lines of, "we're sorry, but we've decided to let you go." Don't give any reasons. If you want to give a longer severance to make yourself feel a little better about it, so be it.
 
Posts: 11597 | Registered: August 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
always with a hat or sunscreen
Picture of bald1
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quote:
Originally posted by Ronin1069:
ETA - I know that I am grasping at straws, in the end he probably will not be able to change in the way that I need him to. Every bone in my body says he will not be able to respond in the way I want him to. More importantly, I am confident that I can reverse the damage done so far, if I wait and give him more time...? Maybe not.


I'm sorry but you're back peddling trying to be a nice guy and salvage this piece of work you previously hired. WHY? Cut your loss and cut him loose. You don't need to be spending more time on him after what you've cited in this thread about his ignoring repeated direction from you and the owner. If nothing else keeping him around a minute longer risks damaging the subordinate staff which you can ill afford. CUT THIS FOOL LOOSE NOW!

And yes it wouldn't hurt for the owner to be present when you drop the hammer. I'd also be sneaky and have a voice recorder hidden and active. Doom on this POS!

ADDENDUM: Missed your earlier statement about your State laws which make recording a foul... so be it. And as an "at will" or "right to work" (like South Dakota) State having a witness isn't necessary or worth the effort either. Just tell him it hasn't worked out and his services are no longer needed. Don't engage in any conversation. Just show him the door or have him escorted out. Frown



Certifiable member of the gun toting, septuagenarian, bucket list workin', crazed retiree, bald is beautiful club!
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Posts: 16222 | Location: Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: June 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Big Stack
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Does he have anything like a contract / employment agreement?

quote:
Originally posted by Ronin1069:
quote:
Originally posted by jehzsa:
No good deed goes unpunished?

I think you might be stepping into a quagmire. If allowed in your state, record it. If not---a witness.


Recording is a "no no" in MN.

Minnesota is also an "at will" state which means I can pretty much fire him for whatever reason I want ... the worst that can happen is we'll have to pay unemployment for a while.
 
Posts: 21240 | Registered: November 05, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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KISS.

Document, document, document. Just like his attorney, if he gets one, will do.

No such thing as a "good guy" in business.

Best,


***************************
Knowing more by accident than on purpose.
 
Posts: 14186 | Location: Tampa, Florida | Registered: December 12, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Chip away the stone
Picture of rusbro
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FWIW, I'm in an "at will" state also, and when I was in management at a mid sized, family-run business, I was always told by HR to not give any reasons to the employee for the termination. I don't know why exactly that was, probably partly because you're giving them potential ammo to used when applying for unemployment, but also maybe because it could prolong the termination meeting with them arguing you're every reason. Keep it simple and brief.
 
Posts: 11597 | Registered: August 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hop head
Picture of lyman
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Ronin1069:
ETA - I know that I am grasping at straws, in the end he probably will not be able to change in the way that I need him to. Every bone in my body says he will not be able to respond in the way I want him to. More importantly, I am confident that I can reverse the damage done so far, if I wait and give him more time...? Maybe not.

The people he leads are too critical to the business, I can run the front of house by myself if I have to....but if I lose my kitchen staff while trying to 'fix' this guy? I'm fucked. No product to sell means Johnny will have a bad day.


___________________________________________

My every instinct says to let him go tomorrow, but I am a person who likes options. When he gets here in the morning I can take him into the office and either let him go, or have the plan B conversation with him. It would go something like this:

Chef,

We brought you in to make a positive impact on the operation. To this point you have shown yourself to be a net negative. You have changed recipes without having tastings first, you’ve made products that have had to be wasted (the pumpkin cakes) and made them after Owner had directed you last Monday to focus only on our core products, you had planned to go to a more expensive liquid egg without first doing a costing, or having discussion with Owner and I about how it might affect the taste or look of the products. Owner was clear about the type of cookies she wanted for Halloween and you dismissed that and made dyed cookies.

Most important though, is that you have completely alienated your staff. When we interviewed with you we were very clear that many of our kitchen staff had very specific schedules that you would have to work around for a while….at least until you brought in your own team. Instead you’ve written a schedule where your whole team has their regular schedules changed from what they are used to, and you’re scheduled Monday thru Friday 8pm to 5pm. That does not work.

By (date a week or two out) I expect you to have changed your attitude and to be working with the team. Yes, you’re the the leader of the team, but a leader with no followers does not meet our expectations for you. Take 30 minutes right now and go create a plan for how you are going to turn yourself around. “

At that point I am sure that he will try to start talking here…I won’t let him, instead I will tell him "I don't want to hear or see you for 30 minutes, go think it through.”

I expect that he'll come back after 30 minutes with some set of generalities "get along better with staff" "listen more" and such. From there I will pin him down on every one of them -

"OK, you say you'll get along better with staff. What specifically will you change to get along better? How will I measure whether you are meeting that goal?"...etc. What is your plan for the schedule this week?

He will have to give me the solution, I won’t make it for him or he won't have any ownership. I’ll guide his answers, but won't give them to him. Then I’ll hold him to it. After the period of time passes, I will grade him honestly against HIS solution. If he did it, there is hope, if not, I will cut him loose right then, on the spot.



start with this,
use it as a documented meeting,
have at least one witness, but don't gang up on him

keep the conversation pleasant and to the point
know how to change the conversation if he gets ugly, as in calm him down without loosing your cool,

set goals, and timelines, (short term and long term)

follow up in a timely manner, like week end,

have another meeting to cover the goals with a witness, and discuss progress and opportunities,
if the opportunities persist, explain to him that this is a final meeting on the matter, and document that,


fire at will the next week,


seems dragged out, but since he is a corporate type weinie, that is what he will understand,

be sure to document , and have the witness document, everything, clear concise notes,

don't hesitate to call any bluff he makes, and if he gets too heated, hand him a note pad and suggest he write his resignation now, and remind him of the documented meetings in the past,


have another associate, or you, draw up the cost analysis of the changes he made, include cost of the new produce, shrink (product tossed) and any other losses including time
(labor) used to correct errors, order new product, shrink it out etc,

would be hard to prove cost of business lost by the changes ,



https://www.chesterfieldarmament.com/

 
Posts: 10421 | Location: Beach VA,not VA Beach | Registered: July 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by rusbro:
FWIW, I'm in an "at will" state also, and when I was in management at a mid sized, family-run business, I was always told by HR to not give any reasons to the employee for the termination. I don't know why exactly that was, probably partly because you're giving them potential ammo to used when applying for unemployment, but also maybe because it could prolong the termination meeting with them arguing you're every reason. Keep it simple and brief.


If employment is "at will" it can be ended at any time without a reason, so it's best not to give one and pay the unemployment.

Firing for cause (meaning violating an employment rule), depending on the state, may require proof that the rule was broken, with a proper investigation and evidence found. Being fired for cause generally allows unemployment to be denied.

Incompetence and poor workmanship generally don't fall under "causes".
 
Posts: 4725 | Location: Indiana | Registered: December 28, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The only option you're giving yourself is the option to do in two weeks what you should do tomorrow. He's already disobeyed instructions from ownership. He's costing the business money through fis failure to follow instructions. He's alienating staff and they will leave. Think some of them aren't already planning? Think again. I can see maybe keeping him in while you find a replacement but how long do you draw that out? It seems that he views himself as captain of the ship when he isn't. The ship is foundering. Don't let it sink in the name of having options.
 
Posts: 4278 | Location: Peoples Republic of Berkeley | Registered: June 12, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
keeping him in while you find a replacement

And think of all the wonderful things, in the meantime, that he can do for the company.

And that reflects on you.


***************************
Knowing more by accident than on purpose.
 
Posts: 14186 | Location: Tampa, Florida | Registered: December 12, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
semi-reformed sailor
Picture of MikeinNC
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Cut him loose tonight.



"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein

“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020

“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
 
Posts: 11284 | Location: Temple, Texas! | Registered: October 07, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Semper Fi - 1775
Picture of Ronin1069
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<UPDATE>

Guys, I know from a business point-of-view "why" to let him go; this is not my first firing. But...what I am struggling with a bit...a lot....is that part of me feels I owe it to him to chew his ass and point blank tell him his job is in jeopardy.

I don't take lightly the fact that the man left another $70k job to come work with us...not my problem, I know. But it's how I'm wired...it's still something I think about.


___________________________
All it takes...is all you got.
____________________________
For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
 
Posts: 12332 | Location: Belly of the Beast | Registered: January 02, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I've always been Crazy!
kept me from goin Insane!
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Big mistake keeping him around, in my book. Gives him time to exact revenge on you and your business. What is the potential for him to "talk" to your customers? To poison your staff or run them off? Cut your losses while your ahead and move forward.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.
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Posts: 2180 | Location: Lyndon,KS | Registered: November 07, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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You can't make a good deal with a bad person. Get rid of him and replace him with someone who will follow the recipe's and respect their staff.....he's a toxic person and no plan B, if you give him plan B this will just drag on another few weeks, losing more customers and probably will lose a few GOOD employees, get rid and replace. This guy will screw you over seven ways till Sunday if you let him stay.
 
Posts: 21335 | Registered: June 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Do No Harm,
Do Know Harm
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Is there a number of weeks in your state that they have to work to in order to be eligible for unemployment? I believe there is in NC.

That could be a hard-line to keep in mind? Or not. Just a suggestion.




Knowing what one is talking about is widely admired but not strictly required here.

Although sometimes distracting, there is often a certain entertainment value to this easy standard.
-JALLEN

"All I need is a WAR ON DRUGS reference and I got myself a police thread BINGO." -jljones
 
Posts: 11448 | Location: NC | Registered: August 16, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of bigdeal
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quote:
Originally posted by Ronin1069:
<UPDATE>

Guys, I know from a business point-of-view "why" to let him go; this is not my first firing. But...what I am struggling with a bit...a lot....is that part of me feels I owe it to him to chew his ass and point blank tell him his job is in jeopardy.

I don't take lightly the fact that the man left another $70k job to come work with us...not my problem, I know. But it's how I'm wired...it's still something I think about.
You're a very good man Ronin. Your heart is in the right place, but is your head? You know what the solution is. No need to lament it or prolong it. And no need to regret it either. This person didn't deliver. Period. Just get it done and move on to hopefully your ultimate solution. Good luck.


-----------------------------
Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
 
Posts: 33845 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: April 30, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of 4MUL8R
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I don't think that you have any reasonable course of action without pain for both of you.

I have experienced the performance decline keeping a non-performer around, hoping for a turn-around. A reassignment was made in once case, and the lack of performance just moved to the new job.

I've also experienced a near-mass exodus of a development team when a new manager came in and made changes without wise consideration. Both the manager and the six associates went to HR with complaints about each other, and we ended up keeping the six associates who did the actual work. Much better now, with a new manager who has turned the team around.

Thanks for letting us share in your life experiences. We are all stronger when we learn from each other.


-------
Trying to simplify my life...
 
Posts: 5054 | Location: Commonwealth of Virginia | Registered: January 15, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The new chef needs to learn a life lesson. Pay attention to what he is asked to do, not just do things "his way". Judging by the way he treats the other kitchen staff, I doubt that this new guy will ever work out. I suggest letting him go asap, but explain to him why.
1. Not doing what he was asked to do.
2. Not working well with others.


-c1steve
 
Posts: 4053 | Location: West coast | Registered: March 31, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Crusty old
curmudgeon
Picture of Jimbo54
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As important as your employees are to your business, it's the customers that are the foundation to it. Who knows how many you have lost because of his changing ingredients on the existing menu. Lost customers are extremely hard to bring back.

Is the slight possible gain by being a nice guy worth the risk of losing more customers to a poisonous personality that you, yourself stated has a huge ego. Taking him to the carpet is too risky to take a chance in his changing his ways.

Bring him into the office when he shows up and tell him that you're sorry it didn't work out and wish him luck in the future and tell him he's fired. Period! The restaurant business is too fickle to take unnecessary risks.

Jim


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Posts: 9791 | Location: The right side of Washington State | Registered: September 14, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Not really from Vienna
Picture of arfmel
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quote:
My every instinct says to let him go tomorrow, but I am a person who likes options. When he gets here in the morning I can take him into the office and either let him go,


This is what to do. Don't let this jackass further poison your business.
 
Posts: 26906 | Location: Jerkwater, Texas | Registered: January 30, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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