Question for business owners/managers/boss types
 

Has anyone ever had to fire a friend? That's the position I find myself in soon. Any advice?

Never been in that situation. My dad taught me how to avoid that one a long time ago.

Yes.I had to let a good friend go last winter.It sucks but it's business.I'd say just be honest and don't sugar coat it.

Yeah, but in my case it was easy. I caught him cooking the books. The hard part was not working him over at the time. I never had anything to do with him again.

No, they always quit when they finally realize construction doesn't pay worth a crap unless you're the guy assuming all the risk.

Would have been easier had we not be friends before I became his boss. He's always been very respectful of the boss/employee relationship though, it's never been a problem. Still he's a friend and I'm trying to decide if it's best to just be blunt or coddle him just enough to maybe help his ego. I'm leaning towards blunt... but not mean.

This is what I was thinking. Thanks.

Tell him you've been told you need to let him go but you are so conflicted you are considering resigning instead.
If he resigns to keep you from quitting he's your friend.
If he doesn't he isn't your friend and you don't have to feel bad about canning his ass.

i almost had to fire my BEST FRIEND a couple of months ago.


we have been best friends for 20 years and he just got to where he didnt show up quite often.



i made the decision to fire him on a monday morning when he showed up for work and he came in and gave his 2 weeks notice saying "I know that i cant show up for work consistently enough to work for my friend..."

he had owned a construction company and was used to being able to go and do what he wanted when he wanted. my business isnt that way.

needless to say he's back to wood butchering

Great advice. I'll forget about it now heh.

Wow.... close one.

yep.

made me think quite a bit more of him than i did when i walked out of the house that morning.

I bet.

My policy in all of my businesses is to be straight up honest about everything. In the long run its always the best.

I will be honest with him. Never had a problem with that. My biggest concern is where he goes from here. He's invested a lot in this job and had a hard year personally last year and things are getting better for him lately. Now and old buddy is going to tell him to clean out his office.

I understand that it's business and I actually agree with the descison to let him go. I can do it, I'm not going to pussy out... I just actually care about the guy as more than an employee.