by Betty Jo Hawkins

Created on: August 08, 2010   Last Updated: August 09, 2010

When someone gets fired it is most often a consequence of their own actions or lack of action.  Most employers will generally do everything in their power to bring that person up to par with the other employees. It can be very costly for an employer to fire someone.  They have to re-post the position, set up interviews for the new employee and perhaps job shadow days as well. If the new candidate accepts the position then there is generally a training period.

There could be many reasons someone gets fired. They have the ability to do the job, but for some unknown reason just won't perform to the best of their ability. They are habitually late to work or constantly leave early.  Some jobs require being on call and they just don't answer their phone or always have an excuse as to why on one could get in touch with them.  

Then there is the person that everyone labels as the slacker and no one wants to work with them anymore.  They are not pulling their share of the workload and show no remorse for not being a team player.  It can be very difficult to get rid of a slacker but not impossible. It often takes all of the co-workers to complain and then there is the documentation of what the slacker does that is not acceptable in the work place. When your employer finally gets rid of the slacker or under-performer the moral of the other employees is greatly improved.  Why should they continue to work so when they see the slacker getting away with everything?  Keeping a slacker on can be very detrimental to a department of any size.

Others can have their position terminated due involvement with other employees.  Some employers do not allow employee that are involved to work in the same area. Then there is inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment of another employee.

Stealing from an employer is another reason someone may be fired and arrested. Some terminations are immediate and others are a long process with much documentation. Regardless of why an employee is terminated it is generally kept under wrap unless the terminated employee is the one who puts out why they lost their job.

Most employers are willing to work with the under achievers to bring them up to par.  They are the ones who generally seal their own fate. Unfortunately many don't ever acknowledge their shortcomings.

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