A reader writes:
I’ve all the time considered my job as a spot the place individuals didn’t get fired except they have been clearly and persistently unhealthy at their jobs. I’ve been right here for six years and I do know that after we get the “goodbye so-and-so” emails from HR about individuals unexpectedly leaving, that most likely means they have been fired. When individuals depart as a result of they obtained a brand new job or in any other case depart on good phrases, they often announce it themselves, with their ultimate date of employment listed so we are able to wrap up any initiatives, they usually sometimes embody a number of thanks’s and appreciation for his or her coworkers. So when the information comes from HR with none advance discover, I assume it was most likely a firing. Based mostly on what I learn about how our firm is run, I additionally assumed the fired individuals most likely had been warned or in any other case had identified that their efficiency wasn’t as much as par. And whereas I haven’t been aware about particulars, when it’s occurred prior to now I haven’t ever been shocked.
Nevertheless, within the final couple of weeks, two staff have been (I assume) let go a few week aside from one another. I don’t assume both of their firings needed to do with the opposite. We obtained the standard emails from HR saying the corporate has ended their relationship with every individual, contact their supervisor for mission questions, and we want them the most effective. What has me thrown is that each of those individuals have been, for my part, stellar coworkers who had been with the corporate for years, one nearly for a decade.
This office is low drama, low gossip, and what I’d take into account wholesome. However this has thrown individuals right into a tizzy. One of many fired individuals was the cousin to a present worker and I believe numerous of us wish to ask her about it, or ask what occurred. I don’t know if anybody has. However everybody is admittedly confused, and personally I’m frightened! What might have occurred to those seemingly high-performing staff to have brought on them to lose their jobs? And who could possibly be subsequent?
So my query is, what sort of questions are acceptable to ask, and to whom? Do I simply want to simply accept that the individuals who make firing choices know what they’re doing and have their causes? Is it ever acceptable to ask why somebody was fired and to precise that it’s making me nervous? I do know I’m not alone on this and the entire episode has brought on our quiet firm to descend into gossip and concern as a result of we don’t get it. What’s the greatest plan of action right here, if any?
You may learn my reply to this letter at New York Journal as we speak. Head over there to learn it.