Dismissal
Last class we discussed a case study pertaining to whether or not we would fire a worker for irresponsible and uncooperative behavior. The subject in question was a 17 year old boy who dropped out of high school early to support his large family. The job the boy attained was in the manufacturing industry. The job did not seem to fit the disposition and attitudes of the boy. After a month of working at one position, he asked to switch to another job, which he claimed that he desired more. After a month in the new position, the boy once again mentioned he was bored and wanted to switch back to his previous job. The fact was that the boy was not productive in either job and spent more time starting conversations with other employees and getting them on track rather than making sure his own work got done. This lack of productivity could clearly be seen as a trend from the first month of employment of the boy. The company had already given the boy a second chance by moving him to another position. The question placed upon the reader is what action should now be taken with the boy.
My response to this dilemma is that the boy should be fired. The manufacturing environment clearly isn’t a logical fit for this boy. He is harming productivity not only by his own lack of focus, but has as well decreased the productivity of those around him. Given the tough situation the boy finds himself in, I would try and sympathize a little bit by promising to write him a positive recommendation for a future job he may pursue as well as give him two weeks of pay to aid him in his transition. In situations such as these where the employee is clearly not helping the company even after a significant amount of money was spent on training, there comes a time when you just have to cut your losses and change the situation so that it benefits both parties. The dismissal of this boy would be justified under the reason of lack of productivity. In reality, the boy probably just lacks maturity due to his young age and this experience will hopefully allow him to grow as a person when future situations occur.
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