emotionally painful

[Richard]

Hey folks,
I had to fire one of my employees today for stealing 30 or so large fry containers from McDonalds, it seemed that he thought he'd help himself to the monopoly games pieces. I'm couriuos how ya'll would have handled the situation,I know that all these stores have cameras in them and he was on tape stealing them, so as soon as i found out what had happened I called the store owner and explained what had happened and explained that I had fired him for theft, asked if there was any other way to make the situation right,I actually was expecting to her " well I think we'll just stop using your service" but to my suprise they were very pleased with the fact that I took the responsibility and the way it was handled.But understand this they didnt say that they would keep using us either, but no matter what I feel I did the right thing
the thing that bothered me the most is that I had to fire this kid, 24 years old has been working for me for 1 1/2 yrs, and to beat that his wife is gonna have a youngin in 1 month and I was planning to give him a couple hundred dollars extra for diapers and what not when his youngin got here, it just pained me that I had to do this but I have told everyone that stealing in any shape form or fashion will not be tolerated. I know I did the right thing but I reckon doing the right thing isnt always the easiest thing.
Richard

 

[spraymasters]

Hi Richard,
What a terrible situation to be in, but wanted you to know that I (Gloria) think you did the right thing, and I'm sure Dennis would agree. Seems now a days, no one wants to take responsibility for their actions; make the wrong choice and just blame someone else; don't worry about the consequences. I think you taught this young man a valuable lesson; if you make the wrong choice, you have to pay the price. You stood up for your principles and that is never wrong, but sometimes very difficult to do. It's unfortunate that he has a baby on the way, you could always still buy some diapers for them as a gesture of friendship. Don't dislike the person, just the act.
Keep the faith...

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Dennis A. Cormier and Gloria A. Wagner
North Georgia Spray Masters, Inc.
spraymasters@hotmail.com

 

[Mike@Everclear]

I competely agree with everything that Dennis said. Also, I wouldn't worry about losing the McDonalds account, just be sure to keep doing good work for them. Obviously, you did everything you could to rectify that situation, and probably exactly the same thing they would do if it was one of their employees that stole the boxes. Good luck.



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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

 

[Glenn]

Richard,
My full time job (power washing part-time right now) is a Dept. Supervisor at a local manufacturing plant. Ocasionally, I encounter simiular situations. Somethings get warnings and other things result in termination. I would have handled the situation the same as you did. Some things just can't be tolerated. I bet he was not the only one and this was probably not the first time, he's just the one you caught. One thing I always tell my associates is undesirable behavior forces me to take disciplinary action. In other words, YOU didn't fire him, HE forced you to terminate his employment. This stresses that you are not the cause of the outcome, thier behavior is. Disciplinary action, including termination, is not used for punishment it's used to correct a behavioral problem. Taking a stong stand on issue's of this nature will limit future problems. You've earned respect from your customer, your other employee's, and the one you terminated.
Glenn

 

[Glenn]

One more thing.... They do have good fries???
Glenn

 

[David l Saulque]

Two year ago one of my emplpyees decided to take a full cake out of a KFC and start to eat the cake on the way to the next job at 3AM. My manager called me and informed me. I instructed him to fire him on the spot. I called the store at 8 AM and told the manager and personly drove two hours to pay for the $4.00 cake. I did this because it was right, the cameras and most of all for my other employees that are looking at my actions as example.

David

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[Richard]

Thanks every body, Ya I will still buy em those baby items
Hey Glenn as He found out some fries can leave a bad taste in your mouth

Richard