My husband's manager called my husband yesterday because he (the manager) had been fired.?

Question

My husband received an e-mail from the general manager asking him to stop by his office before a meeting this morning. The general manager wanted my husband (a supervisor, but under the manager) to supervise the manager while he packed his personal belongings. I thought this was completely unprofessional. I feel the general manager or someone in a similar position as the manager should have done this. What do you do in a situation like this? I felt bad for my husband having to do this because the manager did confide in him a lot since they are both prior military.

Answer 1

It's not uncommon, especially in the military, for someone of a lower position to be put in a supervisory role if they are deemed more trustworthy or loyal than the person they are supervising. You and your husband should take it as a compliment that he is viewed in such a positive light.

Answer 2

This is not uncommon to have another member of management go and observe the person pack up their belongings after a termination. The tactic/theory is that the other manager was not involved in the termination meeting, and the employee who is leaving will not feel as threatened by his/her presence with them while they are leaving. This is one that is recommended to keep a situation from becoming angry or hostile.

Yes, it's uncomfortable for the other person who usually has no idea what's going on or why they are involved. But when you are a manager you have to do this kind of stuff on occassion.

Answer 3

I think the general manager was being totally inappropriate! Why would he make your husband go and supervise his manager's packing? I would be so embarrassed if I were your husband. Especially if the two were close. It is always awkward when a co-worker gets fired, but it is especially awkward in a situation like you described. The general manager should have either supervised the manager himself or had another senior management member do it. Calling upon your husband to do that is wrong and puts him in a tough spot. Sorry that happened!

Answer 4

Often, it's a security guard who stands and watches an employee clean out their desk, not the boss who fired the employee. Apparently the general manager wanted someone familiar with office paperwork to make sure the fired employee wasn't removing customer lists or proprietary document

Answer 5

I find that more and more employers are not handling confidential and sensitive situations in a confidential and sensitive manner. It was very unprofessional of the gm to ask your husband to supervise the termination of his direct manager.

Unfortunately, the only thing that your husband could do is what he was asked. It's a sticky spot to be placed in, but hopefully the gm will understand that your husband was just obeying orders in an attempt to stay employed.

Answer 6

I think it was a very tacky thing to do, asking your husband to supervise the manager after his firing. This is a good lesson that the general manager may be unprofessional in all his dealings with people.

Answer 7

There is not much your husband can do except to do what is asked by the general manager.

I agree with you that this was not handled properly by the general manager.

I wish you and your husband well.

Answer 8

it's not normal practice for the person who fires someone to not oversee their departure from the building as the persons who has just been terminated may feel considerable resentment to the person who has done the firing.

A lot of organisations won't even let you clear your desk at management level, they just have someone pack your personal effects and sent them to your home address.

Answer 9

Who is Trum boy in the song so what by Pink?

Answer 10

Need girls opnion on this?