[Repost]: The hiring manager [30sF] where I [30sF] am interviewing is someone I fired last year.

I am NOT OOP. OOP is u/throwra_jobseeker

Originally posted to r/relationship_advice

Previous BoRU by u/bestupdator

[Repost]: The hiring manager [30sF] where I [30sF] am interviewing is someone I fired last year.

Trigger Warnings: >!hostile workplace, possible bullying, anger issues!<

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Original Post: April 15, 2020

I hired a girl over the summer. She didn't make it through her probationary period. She came highly recommended by her references; she was a fast learner, had worked through a merger and helped it go through seamlessly.

I thought she was terrible at her job with my company and fired her on her 89th day. On her exit interview, she stated that she felt she had been poorly trained and that my temper made her worried about asking for further training, stating that I blew up on her when she asked for clarification on something a few weeks in. She then packed her things and left without so much as another word.

I found out through a mutual friend the day she was fired she was offered her job back with a $3 an hour raise and added responsibilities despite having quit just days into her two week notice.

Well, my boss had to lay us all off because of recent events. When I called and got an interview, the woman who spoke to me said that the hiring manger/trainer would be seeing me in the office despite it being closed and everyone working remotely. I was given her name and I instantly felt sick because it was her. I didn't realize the company had changed their name since I had seen her resume.

Should I even go to the interview? I admit, I do have a pretty bad temper that she had witnessed within days of being hired, but I was great at my job. I know her company is desperately hiring workers to meet demand and I need the job.

TL;DR: Girl wasn't a good fit for my job, I fired her. She's now interviewing me for a job and I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to salvage it. Should I even try?

Top Comments

Commenter 1: There's also some useful commentary where this was shared on Twitter (relationship advice).

One of the biggest things is that a person on their probationary period needs support (which you gave the opposite of, showing your "temper") and feedback to improve, and it sounds like all you gave was criticism, waiting purposefully until the LAST POSSIBLE DAY to fire with no consequences, and then BLAMING HER FOR LEAVING A COUPLE DAYS INTO HER 2 WEEKS NOTICE AFTER YOU FIRED HER? JFC you live in a fantasy world.

The fact that she was immediately rehired with a raise while you're unemployed gives you no place to have the GALL to say she was a bad fit. She OUTLASTED you. The company invested more money in her not to lose her because she's exactly what they want and need, and you're still blaming your bad training on her "fit"

Go to the job interview. It will go 1 of 4 ways: 1 - Good End: You've reflected on how bad you were and resolved to be better, and she has more integrity than you and gives you a chance to prove your change.

2 - Petty End: How you do in the job interview barely matters; you are capable enough to be hired, but the plan is to accumulate evidence for a justifiable (or not because who cares) firing on your 89th day

3 - Bad End: You never had a shot at hiring for any number of reasons (maybe mishandling the interview, maybe your temper, maybe your inability to tell the difference between a good and bad job)

Catastrophic Bad End: She is willing to give you a fair shot that you barely gave to her, but you insist on your bullshit of talking down to her, calling your peer a "girl," acting like "temper" is justifiable in a workplace, and generally make your toxicity other people's problems because you haven't grown up.

OOP: She's not with my company, but her previous employer. My company went under due to COVID.

Commenter 2: Maybe this experience will teach you how to treat people in positions below you. You never know when those "people" might one day be above you and you will regret having behaved so awfully.

Commenter 3: You blew up at someone at work and didn't sincerely apologise for your actions. This is karma

 

Update: April 17, 2020 (two days later)

I got a lot of good feedback and you guys are right; I did let my temper get the best of me in front of her on multiple occasions and that makes me a bad boss.

I went to her office unsure of what to expect. The door was locked when I got there, so I stood outside waiting. She came up behind me and said my name. She asked me if I was ready to interview and I just said yes.

We sat down in her office and she pulled out her phone and started recording. She asked me if I minded being taped and I said no.

She asked me basic interview questions, and then she asked me if there was anything that I knew I had to work on. I told her that my temper was an issue in the past, but that I have had a sudden wake-up call about my temper and that I was actively working on it. I apologized for leaving her hanging with training and that I was glad to see she was in a better position.

She told me that one of the things she had learned was forgiveness. She had left the company she was at and rehired to because they had wronged her during the merger. When she was offered the position back, it was with an apology, a raise, and now she is in a better position than when she left. She said sometimes an apology can start you down the path towards something better.

She told me that she is willing to hire me for a good wage because she knew I was good at a lot of things at my previous job. She said if I lost my temper during the trial period, it would be the end, but she was hopeful that it wouldn't happen. She asked me if I could start Friday.

She started training me today, and I definitely realized I was the problem and why she didn't succeed where I was. She is absolutely wonderful at the job with great client interactions. She should've been able to easily pick up the work I was throwing at her if she had been properly trained. I'm glad that she gave the company a second chance because she deserves everything they have given her. I hope to learn a lot from her and show her that she didn't waste her time on me.

I've also signed up for therapy to manage my anger online.

TL;DR: I ate my humble pie and went to the interview. She is giving me a second chance and I hope to be a good employee. I'm starting anger management soon.

Top Comments

Commenter 1: Now this is wholesome. I hope you do actually go to anger management classes OP. Best of luck to you.

Commenter 2: It takes a lot to swallow your pride and admit you were wrong. Well done op

Commenter 3: I am glad that this worked out for you. I am glad that you went thru with it. And I am glad that she took you. You are very lucky.

I wish you the best. I probably would not have gone thru with it.

 

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