Firing-Discipline Interview

For this interview we interviewed Mike. Mike is a lead technician for Utah Communications Agency Network (UCAN). I haven't given much thought to the firing process until now. It is an aspect of management that is important but not one I have really had to consider until now. Speaking with Mike about discipline and firing was a great opportunity to learn from someone who has had to deal with it routinely. One thing I thought was impressive about Mike was the responsibility he was willing to take in the firing process. He talked about now involving others in the final decision and act of actually dismissing somebody. He said as the manager it is up to him and him alone, and as the decider, he also says it is his responsibility to take care of the actual act of firing. He also talked about the importance of being honest with the person that is being fired as to the reasons why and how you think they could improve in the future. I think this is a great way to approach it, you are putting them in a rough situation being unemployed, but also providing them with a learning opportunity to hopefully succeed int he future. I think the leeway and notice he gives his employees is a great template. He gives his employees three verbal warnings and then a disciplinary meeting, further issue following this meeting results in a firing. This gives your employees some room for error, and any firing would be a direct result of employee negligence or irresponsibility. He spoke very poorly of lazy workers, stating they are the worst type of negative behavior to try to correct. I think these are the main things I took out of this interview with Mike. I think I can use many of the things we talked about in my own career as a manager, but I also think they are important career lessons to learn as a subordinate as well. I can learn from the things he described as negative employee interactions and how discipline is usually handled, by doing this I can learn to be the best employee I can be and avoid these situations myself.