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Hiring Stress at New Business

Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:11 am
Posted by Tigerbiscuits
Mid-City
Member since Nov 2011
1105 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:11 am
Morning OT. This post is half seeking advice and half venting/therapeutic.

I'm a small business owner who recently opened a 3rd location. Our first 2 locations staff's were filled out with majority friends and friends of friends. The 3rd location has been filled with majority random people via word of mouth.

The Gen Z crew I've hired fits every stereo type of the generation but I'm willing to look past it for the ones who try. Their issues are mostly minor and easy to shrug off.

The bigger issue and source of my posting has been one older gentleman in particular. This guy walked in off the street one day and had a story just like the rest, except his made little sense. He claims to be a doctor that's in med school to gain qualification to teach medicine and that the school is requiring him to get a public facing job to improve his soft skills. I made the mistake of ignoring this obvious red flag and decided to give him a chance.

As time passes his story and commitment to the bit has deepened to a point of extreme concern. He's texted tirades about losing children in the OR, about being late due to waiting for patients to wake up and more. He also claims to be a Marine and an NOPD vet. Based on amateur sleuth research I'm 99% certain he's not a doctor and I also question the veracity of anything else he's told me.

Yes the easy answer is to just fire the guy, but I'm concerned at how he will handle it. He's apparently mentally unwell and I'd like to mitigate the chances of any volatile reaction.

What would the OT do? Most amicable way to fire? I'm headed to the store to work with him this morning and will share more details as I can.

Posted by fr33manator
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2010
133034 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:13 am to
Have him perform emergency surgery on your worst gen z employee in the office
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
60582 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:14 am to
quote:

Yes the easy answer is to just fire the guy, but I'm concerned at how he will handle it. He's apparently mentally unwell and I'd like to mitigate the chances of any volatile reaction. What would the OT do?


You fire him. Immediately this morning. You are the boss, nothing’s can do after firing will be as harmful as the negative impact he will have on you if staying employed. Plus your other employees will think you are a joke if you don’t.
Posted by ShoeBang
Member since May 2012
21620 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:14 am to
Ask him to write you a script for something. And see if he comes through or not
Posted by CocomoLSU
Inside your dome.
Member since Feb 2004
155318 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:15 am to
quote:

Yes the easy answer is to just fire the guy, but I'm concerned at how he will handle it. He's apparently mentally unwell and I'd like to mitigate the chances of any volatile reaction.

What would the OT do? Most amicable way to fire?

Have an honest discussion with him and let him know you aren't sure if it's working out, but you want to work with him to get better at it. You're basically giving him a heads up that it may be time to go, but also an outlet to actually attempt to right the ship and giving him some control too.

Then if things don't get better he won't be as shocked.





Or you can just link him to this thread and let us handle it.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
23887 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:16 am to
slit your wrist and see if he saves you
Posted by W2NOMO
Member since Jul 2025
1518 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:16 am to
You are a business owner. Do what you need to do for your business.
Posted by UptownJoeBrown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2024
6515 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:16 am to
This is the type of guy that will kill you in the back room as you clean up after closing time.

Fire.
Posted by Lush
Nola
Member since Jul 2023
1002 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:17 am to
Tell him you need a prostate exam before work tomorrow. He will never come back.
Posted by VolsOut4Harambe
Atlanta, GA
Member since Sep 2017
13506 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:17 am to
The answer is simple. He is a detriment, not an asset, to your organization. Sit down with him and sternly warn him to cut the crap. If he doesn't heed the warning, cut bait. You're a business, not a charity.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
60582 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:17 am to
quote:

Most amicable way to fire?
hey man, it isn’t working out. Here is your last check. Turn in any company property right now and best of luck. He will cry and scream and call you names, just keep your hand out for his keys. Don’t respond with anything except that he is fired. There is no way to make it more pleasant. This ain’t the first time he has been fired, so he will probably just walk out.
Posted by 13
Member since Apr 2006
1437 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:21 am to
Fire him. You are spending time worrying about something that will not happen.
If you are concerned, have a useful witness and have someone else near to call the police if necessary.
Whatever you do, for the sake of your team and business, fire him.
Posted by LSUDad
Still on the move
Member since May 2004
61781 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:22 am to
quote:

I made the mistake of ignoring this obvious red flag and decided to give him a chance.


First mistake.

Second mistake:
You didn’t check this guy out before making the hire?

Get in touch with an attorney, might want to talk with the police, run a background check on the guy.

Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
60582 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:24 am to
quote:

Have an honest discussion with him
he is a lying crazy person. This is a waste of time and effort. This employment is going to end. Do not prolong it. The other employees will fill the slack as a thank you.
Posted by Tigerbiscuits
Mid-City
Member since Nov 2011
1105 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:24 am to
Thanks y'all, I needed that. The comedy and the stern straight forward get it together. I'm doing it today.

Love the OT.
Posted by BottomlandBrew
Member since Aug 2010
29153 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:24 am to
quote:

What would the OT do? Most amicable way to fire?


Fire him. Make sure to have at least one witness in the room. Truth be told, when I fire someone I know will be an issue, I make it a point to have another male in the room with me.
Posted by LSUJML
Central
Member since May 2008
51882 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:28 am to
quote:

I'm doing it today.


Make sure to cut off access to emails & even if he turns in keys have someone ready to change the locks
Posted by jmarto1
Houma, LA/ Las Vegas, NV
Member since Mar 2008
37760 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:30 am to
"Your services are no longer needed sir. Thank you for your contributions and I wish you the best in future endeavors". Just keep repeating that
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
60582 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:32 am to
quote:

Get in touch with an attorney, might want to talk with the police, run a background check on the guy.
all fine and good, but useless wastes of time and resources.

Fire him, nothing is going to happen. There is simply no way he is being truthful. And even in the 1 in a million shot he is legit, nothing is going to happen except some bluff and bluster at worst.

Maybe video it so in the off chance you have to hit him in his mouth you are covered. But that isn’t going to happen.
Posted by BengalBlood81
Member since Oct 2014
1339 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 8:34 am to
Whoa. Pump the brakes. I agree with firing him, but protect yourself. Documentation of violations of your policy and clear communication of the exact reason you are firing him. Do not go down a long explanation road of possibilities and assumptions you’ve dreamt up. Policy is X, you did Y. I’m sorry but we’re going to have to part ways.
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