# I pit my insane/incredibly stupid employee **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 31, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987 "2011-12-31T22:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/21 "2012-01-01T02:27:16Z")
[Foghorn Leghorn] But I say, but I say…Son, that is my HOME! [/fl] ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/22 "2012-01-01T02:30:01Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “You violently fought with him over the chicken coop” may be the funniest thing I’ve read all year. Well, it’s sure the funniest thing I’ve read this year. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/23 "2012-01-01T02:33:24Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > > [@fisha](#): > > > > Annnnnd it is now Facebook official, folks. > > > > What do you think I should get her as a wedding present? Shoes? Pants? More chickens? > > The spouse suggested a weasel. I think he just wants to add more excitement and noise to the chicken coop slap-fest. +2 > [@kenetic](#): > > > [@fisha](#): > > > > Annnnnd it is now Facebook official, folks. > > > > What do you think I should get her as a wedding present? Shoes? Pants? More chickens? > > Birth control? \_ **BRAVO!!!** _\ Take a bow both of you!! ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/24 "2012-01-01T02:36:28Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > > [@digs](#): > > > > You have a company vacation? Can I apply? I already know your standards aren’t that high… :-} > > Are you hot? I’m not particularly hot, but I come with great references. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/25 "2012-01-01T02:38:13Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > You think she should fire her “great employee” for having a messy personal life? I mean, its annoying to watch people make bad choices, but as long as she has her shit together at work, kicking her to the curb seems unnecessarily cruel. It doesn’t sound to me that personal and business are exactly separated. If an employee’s personal life is causing an employer enough grief that they have to express outrage (even albeit of a minor sort) then perhaps the relationship should be reconsidered. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/26 "2012-01-01T02:43:58Z")
That’s not cool at all. People’s decisions in love and personal life are no fucking business of The Business and firing people for such things is not cool. I’d hate to have to defend that kind of decision in a wrongful termination suit. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/27 "2012-01-01T02:48:24Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > That’s not cool at all. People’s decisions in love and personal life are no fucking business of The Business and firing people for such things is not cool. I’d hate to have to defend that kind of decision in a wrongful termination suit. Even if an employee’s personal life is influencing their business life? Truly? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/28 "2012-01-01T02:53:13Z")
There’s a thing called Progressive Discipline. You use it to attempt to correct an employee’s behavior. It is also useful on the back end to show that you have given your employee every attempt to get back on track before you terminated their employment. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/29 "2012-01-01T02:53:22Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > That’s not cool at all. People’s decisions in love and personal life are no fucking business of The Business and firing people for such things is not cool. I’d hate to have to defend that kind of decision in a wrongful termination suit. So, how you feel about me firing Douchebag™ for-quote-“Fucking my married production manager,” end quote. Because that’s exactly what I did. How about if you found out later\* they had screwed in your driveway at your house? \*found out today, as a matter of fact. Along with her lying to a bank that Douchebag™ was still employed by me so he could get a loan. Yes, this just keeps on getting better and better. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/30 "2012-01-01T02:59:52Z")
You fired an employee for infidelity? I think thats kind of crummy. If they’re having problems at work, then fire them for those. But I hardly think its professional to let someone go for relationship issues they’re having on their own time. Honestly, it sounds like your way too caught up in the personal lives of your employees. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/31 "2012-01-01T03:01:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Picture a 4’11" woman weighing in at approximately 95# trying to wrest a chicken coop from a 6’2" well built 210# guy amid 25+ chickens in a state of panic at their feet. Then the slapping begins. The \*real \*story behind Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s split. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/32 "2012-01-01T03:05:06Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Honestly, it sounds like your way too caught up in the personal lives of your employees. It sounds to me like you are saying I was less than incorrect in my initial post. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/33 "2012-01-01T03:05:25Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > So, how you feel about me firing Douchebag™ for-quote-“Fucking my married production manager,” end quote. Because that’s exactly what I did. > > How about if you found out later\* they had screwed in your driveway at your house? > > \*found out today, as a matter of fact. Along with her lying to a bank that Douchebag™ was still employed by me so he could get a loan. Yes, this just keeps on getting better and better. :eek: Ok, I withdraw any reservations or questions about termination at that point. Feel free to contact Skald about some kind of bee-shooting mutant animal robot, or let me know exactly what kind of black magic you want performed. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/34 "2012-01-01T03:11:31Z")
scratch ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/35 "2012-01-01T03:16:38Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > You fired an employee for infidelity? > > I think thats kind of crummy. If they’re having problems at work, then fire them for those. But I hardly think its professional to let someone go for relationship issues they’re having on their own time. > > Honestly, it sounds like your way too caught up in the personal lives of your employees. I fired an employee for being disruptive, destructive, for propositioning me, for screwing my production manager, for showing naked pictures of my production manager to other employees, and for being a lousy carpenter. He brought HIS shit into MY company. I took care of it. Believe it or not, I can fire anyone for anything. I could’ve fired him for wearing a green shirt if I wanted to. This shit was dumped on my doorstep-I didn’t ask for any of it, nor did I encourage it in any way, shape or form. My obligation is to the company and all of my other employees. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/36 "2012-01-01T03:24:26Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > I fired an employee for being disruptive, destructive, for propositioning me, for screwing my production manager, for showing naked pictures of my production manager to other employees, and for being a lousy carpenter. He brought HIS shit into MY company. I took care of it. Certainly being disruptive and being lousy at his job is a decent reason for firing him. I was responding to your saying earlier that you fired him for “fucking my married production manager”. Your employees sex lives aren’t your business, and shouldn’t in themselves be grounds for termination. > [@](#): > > Believe it or not, I can fire anyone for anything. I could’ve fired him for wearing a green shirt if I wanted to. We need a term for when people tell others that they shouldn’t do something, and the person responds by stressing that they aren’t legally barred from doing that thing. I never questioned your ability to fire him, just the professionalism of doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/37 "2012-01-01T03:28:43Z")
ahem _cough_ ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/38 "2012-01-01T03:30:20Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Well, it’s sure the funniest thing I’ve read this year. You Australians and your time machines… ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/39 "2012-01-01T03:37:07Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I never questioned your ability to fire him, just the professionalism of doing so. It’s a little late for professionalism, don’t you think? Listen, 2 someones dump this mess on my lap. I’ve got one 5 year employee who has a key position in the company who is great at her job, her husband who’s worked for me for 4 years as a key subcontractor, and some pretty boy carpenter that’s worked for me for two weeks. The carpenter has already blatantly hit on me, not cool. He’s showing and bragging to other employees that he’s screwing her-she’s their boss. My choices were wait another couple of weeks and fully document everything in triplicate, or fired his ass immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987/40 "2012-01-01T03:56:17Z")
Speaking as a manager, you did the right thing with regard to his employment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-insane-incredibly-stupid-employee/607987.md?page=3)