After conducting written and oral interviews, we selected a candidate for an important position in the company. His manager and I observed his performance during his three-month probationary period but were not satisfied with it. He had good interpersonal skills and fit well within our system. He demonstrated zeal and commitment to his assignments, but we felt he was not the right person for the position.
I decided to terminate his appointment, which was a very difficult decision. Our relationship was cordial; I had even introduced him to the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), and we attended meetings together. I had no personal issues with him; he just wasn’t the right fit for the position. I regretted hiring him.
During a meeting of the FGBMFI with him, I prayed to God for guidance on how to handle his termination. I postponed the action until that Friday. My mind was heavy with the thought of how disappointed he would be, given the good relationship we had established and his rapport with other staff members. I imagined how he would react to the termination letter. Nevertheless, with a heavy heart, I prepared and signed the letter, along with a check in lieu of one month’s notice. I kept the letter securely in my drawer, intending to call him to my office just before the close of work.
After lunch, I returned to my office around 4:00 PM. On my desk was a handwritten letter. I assumed it was from a staff member asking for an IOU or loan. To my surprise, it was from the very person I was planning to sack, submitting his resignation letter. I was shocked and confused, wondering what might have happened. I suspected a leak of the confidential letter, but the secretary assured me that no one else had seen it. How, then, did he know of my plan? Only my wife knew, but she couldn’t have leaked the secret to him.
I gathered my courage and summoned him. Soon after, he walked into my office, nearly in tears, explaining that it was extremely difficult for him to resign after all the good things I had done for him. His wife had been offered a good job at a university in their state and had already relocated with their two children, so he needed to join them. He was very sorry that his resignation would disrupt the company’s operations. He didn’t know that I was inwardly thanking God and rejoicing as he spoke.
This incident made me fear God even more. If He had not guided my actions and timing in this situation, it could have been a disaster. If I had given him the termination letter, I would have disappointed him, damaged the good relationships he had with me and the other staff members, and incurred a financial loss of one month’s salary.
This person became one of my good friends. A few months later, he visited me with valuable gifts for me and my wife, and we have remained in touch since then.
Many times, employers pray for good staff during recruitment but forget to pray about how the staff will leave the company. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning…” In this context, how and when a staff member leaves the company is more important than the day of employment.
This experience taught me that God is interested in all aspects of our business, including the hiring and firing of workers. Staff are the most valuable resource because a business cannot function without people. Therefore, we need God’s wisdom in dealing with employees.
Businesses should not only pray for big turnovers and profits, which accountants focus on, but also for the well-being of the workers whose efforts generate the revenue. A company blessed with hardworking and trustworthy staff is fortunate.
Usually, a resignation is a better option than a termination or dismissal. In a resignation, the staff member decides to leave for their own reasons, while a termination implies that their services are no longer needed or acceptable to the company. Therefore, we need God’s guidance in managing the hiring and firing of staff.
