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    Manager fires top performer over contract dispute to intimidate the rest of the team: 'Keep in line, produce, and don't cause trouble'

    How would you react if the coworker on your team with the strongest output was suddenly fired?

    This team was completely taken aback when they learned that a top earner for the company was given the boot just over a contract dispute. Although the details of this disagreement were largely kept under wraps, it sounds like upper management either had no desire to honor the specifics of an existing contract or refused to validate this employee despite the leverage he thought he had.

    Either way, the team felt intimidated and unsafe after their coworker was abruptly dismissed. When their manager tried to explain matters, things only got worse.

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    • A manager instructs his team in a conference room.
      via Unsplash+ (Yunus Tuğ)

      A manager instructs his team in a conference room.

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    • "So management just terminated a high-performer, my coworker, yesterday.

      The coworker did a lot of work and was on good relations with pretty much everyone else, but they had a dispute over the contract. My coworker said they could hire a mediator to resolve the dispute. However, he was terminated and given no notice, minimum amount of severance.

    • An employee leaves the office with a cardboard box of personal items.
      via Vitaly Gariev

      An employee leaves the office with a cardboard box of personal items.

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

    • Right after the termination, my coworker came to get his belongings and said he was fired, took one of our senior worker's email as a reference. Then he left. None of us knew about this, and it was shockingly sudden.

      I spoke with them after, and the company said they gave no official reason, but he was fairly certain it had to do with the dispute over the contract. However, because there was no official reason, he at least can get on unemployment.

    • A manager addresses his team with his back to the camera in a conference room.
      via Unsplash+ (Yunus Tuğ)

      A manager addresses his team with his back to the camera in a conference room.

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

    • We were all a bit shocked after our coworker suddenly left, and everyone was looking pretty uncomfortable. The manager then said, 'If you guys have any concerns, let me know, you won’t get in trouble.'

      Like....how does the manager not realize that no one's going to trust him after?"

      - thekickeroffish

    • A manager looks over a team member's shoulder with folded arms as she explains something in a team meeting.
      via Unsplash+ (Yunus Tuğ)

      A manager looks over a team member's shoulder with folded arms as she explains something in a team meeting.

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    • Do we think this guy was trying to get more information on the recently fired coworker, or do we think this was his strange way of trying to assure his team that their jobs were stable? The cynic in me wants to assume the former, but on the other hand, some managers are simply terrible communicators. It's possible that this guy genuinely was trying to smooth things over after the contract dispute.

      Several members of this online community had their own hot takes regarding the various possible intentions behind the manager's strange meeting. Here are some highlights…

    • C... What that manager said is a trap. They are looking to put more targets on people's back by treating them with suspicions. The thing is that manager doesn't understand human behavior as you do. A lack of common sense can happen in a group think as the power dynamics widen
      via thekickeroffish
    • NomDePlume007 Companies have zero loyalty to any employee, the only thing you can trust is that they'll do whatever they can to bump stock prices and/or take profits and do stock buy-backs and executive bonuses.
      via thekickeroffish
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    • In today's work environment you need to internalize acting like a corporation of one and do whatever you need to, to increase your own take-home pay. Get the maximum going rate for selling the hours and days of
      via thekickeroffish
    • your life. Job hop between companies if you can get a better rate, never believe in the promise of bonuses, and never trust HR and management to be looking out for your best interests. And always have an exit plan lined up.
      via thekickeroffish
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    • SnavlerAce Manglement doesn't care.
      via thekickeroffish
    • tcrex2525 Make sure all your remaining coworkers have agreed not to take on a single additional responsibility to cover for the loss of your coworker unless additional compensation for everyone is agreed upon.
      via thekickeroffish
    • Githyerazi Pretty clear that they were too much trouble because they were trying to enforce their contract and the company didn't want to do it. Just know that if try and collect any of your rights, they may see you as too much trouble also.
      via thekickeroffish
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    • Without knowing more about this "dispute", that's all I get. from this post. Keep in line, produce and don't cause trouble.
      via thekickeroffish
    • I would consider finding another company to work for while you're still on good terms.
      via thekickeroffish
    • Javasteam The manager then said, "If you guys have any concerns let me know, you won't get in trouble." Translation: If you hear a coworker is willing to offer sympathy, remain in contact with, or offer a reference to the guy we fired, let us know so we can start a POC on them.
      via thekickeroffish
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    • Only Tip9560 "You won't get in trouble" said the spider to the fly...
      via thekickeroffish

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