sharke
 
 
Well this evening he went off on one of his trademark rants via text - even after I asked him to stop texting me - and I just fired him on the spot. 

I've never been fired nor have I ever had to fire anybody but nothing I haven't seen and understood from both views.
 
If I understand you saying that the final straw by employee and firing by you took place via text...is nothing but strange to me. I waited to see if anybody else thought so and now I post believing it must be a common way of dealing with it. I have nothing good to say about either side of it and wonder if it all took place with both of you driving down the highway...but really don't want to know.
 
 
 
 

This thread has helped me.
This week I have been feeling sad that things didn't work out with someone at my work.
It's a painful situation... especially when it's a person you like.
 
I must say, I've been learning to try to keep roles clear. It's helpful if people you have influence over don't take you into their confidence too much. It's hard to recover from a loss of trust.
 
I doubt my own behavior. Was I good leader? Did I make requirements clear? How did the person respond?
 
In the end, it's just a job. There's always another one.

sharke
Thanks for all the input guys, it's reminded me that I'm not the only one who has to deal with this crap. 

If you do all your paperwork during the life of their employment, the letting go is not an issue, because that person will have been warned already.
 
So do your homework/paperwork, so you don't have to feel guilty.