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Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

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11–20 of 461 posts

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#11
post #5

I am really surprised one has to write a blog post about this. I am not a manager, but here is a question for managers, have you or anyone you know, joked about firing someone? In my opinion, that would be incredibly cruel and stupid.

Did you read the article? People make mistakes. They might try to break the tension by cracking a joke without realizing the effect it will have.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#12
post #4

Someone who can't take a joke like the one that's mentioned in the article is liable to be problematic in some other capacity anyway.

Perhaps managers who can't see they're on shaky ground making such a joke are liable to be problematic in some other capacity.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#14
This is along the lines of "Ha, taking half the day off, are we?" when somebody leaves a little bit earlier than usual. It sounds like (just) a bad joke, but it has severe consequences for your working relationship.

I get that it's tempting to make jokes when you start managing for your old team members. Just accept the fact that you've switched positions and that your relationship will change. It will only make it more awkward if you don't.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#15
post #12
post #4

Someone who can't take a joke like the one that's mentioned in the article is liable to be problematic in some other capacity anyway.

Perhaps managers who can't see they're on shaky ground making such a joke are liable to be problematic in some other capacity.

You are right. Nothing worse than a manager with a sense of humour. That ruins companies.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#17
post #4

Someone who can't take a joke like the one that's mentioned in the article is liable to be problematic in some other capacity anyway.

"Advice to New Police Officers: Don't Joke About Shooting People"

People in positions of power should not take lightly their ability to ruin peoples' lives with strangers. Or anyone, really, but especially strangers.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#18
post #4

Someone who can't take a joke like the one that's mentioned in the article is liable to be problematic in some other capacity anyway.

“Cant’t take a joke” is a terrible excuse for making people uncomfortable.

People are sensitive, impostor syndrome is extremely common. The people who work for you are always going to be worried about their job at some level. Don’t take advantage of your power to make a joke that is, at best, not funny and at worst incredibly anxiety-inducing.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#19
post #5

I am really surprised one has to write a blog post about this. I am not a manager, but here is a question for managers, have you or anyone you know, joked about firing someone? In my opinion, that would be incredibly cruel and stupid.

Did you read the article? People make mistakes. They might try to break the tension by cracking a joke without realizing the effect it will have.

Yes I did. The point I was trying to make was, this really shouldn’t come to anyone naturally. It is like writing a blog post about not bullying anyone. People still do it, but I think those people are psychologically unstable, should be isolated and needs help.

Re: Advice to new managers: don't joke about firing people

#20
post #4

Someone who can't take a joke like the one that's mentioned in the article is liable to be problematic in some other capacity anyway.

“Cant’t take a joke” is a terrible excuse for making people uncomfortable. People are sensitive, impostor syndrome is extremely common. The people who work for you are always going to be worried about their job at some level. Don’t take advantage of your power to make a joke that is, at best, not funny and at worst incredibly anxiety-inducing.

That's exactly what I said. Sensitive people or people with impostor syndrome are problematic. I think those people are the problem, and not jokey managers. But we can disagree, that's okay. :)
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