Sometimes this job sucks

Leslie

Almost nine years ago my now boss (then peer) and I hired a woman to take my place as HR Admin Asst. I went to Marketing for a year, back to HR, then she moved to Marketing. Both single, about five years apart in age, we started hanging out. I have to admit, we were both a bit crazy. Then we drifted apart, still checking in with each other at work, checking up on each other personally. I saw her at events and thought boy, she hasn't settled down a bit. About a year ago HR starts getting vibes that something's not right with her. Found out recently that twice she was whisked out of here smelling of alcohol. Missing work, coming in late, leaving early. About four months ago I get a call from her mother wanting insurance info - she wants to do an intervention. It happened. Alcohol detox and rehab. She called me a few times from rehab, saying it was what she needed. A couple weeks ago we start getting vibes again something's not right. Had her in my office...are you okay? everything going well? hanging in there with the program? yes, yes, yes. Yesterday her department director and manager want to do a reasonable suspicion. I get the results, she pops, zero tolerance, she's gone. Comes into my office a half hour ago to say goodbye. Return to subject.

mwild31

I agree, sometimes it does. Hang in there lady - you do good work. x:-)

Whatever

You're absolutely right. But, the sucky part, is more than outweighed by the good we do.

sonny

Sorry for both of you.

System

Sometimes it does suck, but keep your chin up. We do a lot of good, too, by helping people, protecting their rights, keeping them safe on the job, and often by just lending an ear or shoulder. Hang in there!

Margaret Morford

Leslie,

Many people, who have been through rehab, have to repeat. Sometimes they have to hit rock bottom to get help again. If you didn't fire her, you're enabling her to continue drinking. Lots of people say that the wake-up call for them was when they lost their job. You may have saved her life in the long run. Give it the test of time and know that you did the right thing.

Margaret Morford
theHRedge
615-371-8200
[email]mmorford@mleesmith.com[/email]
[url]http://www.thehredge.net[/url]

Leslie

Thanks all for your thoughts. Margaret, I sure hope you're right. Her insurance is good through the end of the month, and I told her to get back in. So fingers are crossed that she makes the right choices.

scottorr

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-24-03 AT 08:56AM (CST)[/font][p]You have my support, this is truly the hardest part of the job. I am doing two termination this week. I did one yesterday and another tomorrow. Neither one was a shock. It is especially hard when you know personal details about someone's life. The guy I let go yesterday was the sole bread winner of his house. He just had his second child six months ago. Do you guys ever wonder what becomes of their lives? I tried to pretend like I'm cold and say to myself, it is all part of the job but I still some times wonder.

Dasher

Of course we do, Scott. Sometimes they come back and share info. It is especially heartwarming when they say something like, "it was a difficult time for me but I appreciate the way you made sure my dignity was maintained". It does not always happen, but sometimes . . .