Chief Quit Today
Kris
Learning experience for all parties......at least it was not a parting on bad terms.
Angelo
Probably the last thing on his mind is his job. Sounds like his priorities are to his friend right now for reasons only he can understand. When someone is consumed by a tragedy they rarely react as someone who was not involved. I agree that you shouldn't beat yourself up for anything that you did. Rather take it as a life experience. Make the best of of what happened and learn. I bet he will do the same.
Of course you did give the short version and I'm sure more detail would change what will be typed here today.
Good luck with things.
I agree JM. When people are grappling with a personal tragedy they are not necessarily going to act in their normal rational manner. Their mind is simply elsewhere. It is part of being human and at the end of the day this guy is not just a PC, he is a human being with all of the inherent flaws that come with that. When he gets his head screwed back on straight, he'll return to being that great PC that you've come to know.
A brusqe tone on your part would have probably been something he could have dealt with in stride on a normal day, just not that day. It appears that he felt like he didn't have the relationship with the firm that he thought he had...unfortunately from what you are saying he actually did/does have exactly that kind of relationship. Hopefully he will realize this, but I do think you will probably have to take the first step to reach out to him. I doubt that pride will allow him to reach out to you, even if he is having second thoughts as the reality of his decision begins to sink in.
Perhaps when he comes to get his belongings you might have the opportunity to let him know just how the company, and yourself, feel about him. It would be a shame to see such a good working relationship come to an end over something like this. Guys like you described are hard to come by and even harder to keep around. But whatever comes of it, I like your generous attitude about it. It's a small community and your paths are almost sure to pass again in the future.
Good luck Kris.
I don't agree, Carl. His friend- and it sounds like a close friend- just lost his wife. NO doubt this guy was grieving too, both for his friend who was lost and for his friend who was left. Put yourself in his situation. Would YOUbe thinking straight about asking for the time off officially? Or would you call telling them what was going on and think they understood you needed the time off. Yes there was a communication problem, but considering one was emotional at the time, his communication problem is understandable. That a family company did not call him to see if he was going to need a few days, that is a little harder to follow. I can see where he would question if he was part of the family.
Not meant to insult you Kris, I just see his view a little better. When you are hurting you don't always think clearly. As the boss, you need to be anticipating what he is not saying in this situation. I hope y'all can work it out.
> I don't agree, Carl. His friend- and it sounds like a close friend- just lost his wife. NO doubt this guy was grieving too, both for his friend who was lost and for his friend who was left. Put yourself in his situation. Would YOUbe thinking straight about asking for the time off officially? Or would you call telling them what was going on and think they understood you needed the time off. Yes there was a communication problem, but considering one was emotional at the time, his communication problem is understandable. That a family company did not call him to see if he was going to need a few days, that is a little harder to follow. I can see where he would question if he was part of the family.
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> Not meant to insult you Kris, I just see his view a little better. When you are hurting you don't always think clearly. As the boss, you need to be anticipating what he is not saying in this situation. I hope y'all can work it out.
We don't have to agree, GA, I have no problem with that.
The first person that I called when my father passed was my boss (at the time). I'm going to have to think that this situation is a little odd if the man is more worried about his friend than his livelihood in this day and age (economy). I'm beginning to wonder if this wasn't his way of switching jobs... Kris probably didn't want to call out of respect of not knowing where the PC was at any given time with the friend (morgue, funeral home, in deep prayer session, etc.)
I hope to hear more on this from Kris later this evening.
That is possible, Carl, he may have even made up the accident to cover for his having an interview. After all, have you never faked someones death just to get out of work for a day (yes, that was sarcasm). It is just as possible that the friend is like a brother to him. I know there are some friends that I have that if they called needing help, I would be there, job or no job. Do you not have any friends that are "drop everything" friends? If one of those friends called you and said his wife had just been killed in a car accident, would you not pull up tripod and head to the house? I prefer to think this is one of those kinds of things. And if it is, then I can see where he would not be thinking about what does he need to do about work. He is thinking about what he needs to do to be there for his "brother". I love my job. But it is not more important than my family, both by blood and by choice!
When I think of the times I could have been understanding of other people's viewpoints and nicer about how I handled supervisory issues, I am ashamed of myself. Never miss a chance to help another traveler get through life. Explain your side and do what you have to do, but don't just assume it's okay to be an asshole, because you're in charge. (not calling you an asshole - just not very eloquent.) It gets to be a habit you aren't even aware of. I did always let my guys have water, so maybe I wasn't the WORST boss on the planet.
I think that Chris did well. We don't live in a perfect world and these things happen. It is unfortunate, but that is just the way it is. Possibly, if Chris thinks it appropriate, Chris can write or call the person and invite him back. If the guy chooses to return good for him. If he doesn't return so be it, but Chris should feel no guilt.
this is the worst job market i have ever seen. maybe prospects are better out texas way, but it would take a lot more than a harsh tone in a man's voice to get me to leave a paying job right now.
i hope he lands on his feet, but i wouldn't be able to offer him his job back. attitudes and shoulder chips do not play well at my shop. there are too many fish in the sea right now to be putting up with 'tude from an employee no matter how promising his future may look.
I didn't say and don't think I intimated that Kris should feel guilt. Wasn't meant that way.
