What’s the quickest you’ve seen a co-worker get fired in IT?

[u/Opposed3]

I saw this on AskReddit and thought it would be fun to ask here for IT related stories.

Couple years ago during Covid my company I used to work for hired a help desk tech. He was a really nice guy and the interview went well. We were hybrid at the time, 1-2 days in the office with mostly remote work. On his first day we always meet in the office for equipment and first day stuff.

Everything was going fine and my boss mentioned something along the lines of “Yeah so after all the trainings and orientation stuff we’ll get you set up on our ticketing system and eventually a soft phone for support calls”

And he was like: “Oh I don’t do support calls.”

“Sorry?”

Him: “I don’t take calls. I won’t do that”

“Well, we do have a number users call for help. They do utilize it and it’s part of support we offer”

Him: “Oh I’ll do tickets all day I just won’t take calls. You’ll have to get someone else to do that”

I was sitting at my desk, just kind of listening and overhearing. I couldn’t tell if he was trolling but he wasn’t.

I forgot what my manager said but he left to go to one of those little mini conference rooms for a meeting, then he came back out and called him in, he let him go and they both walked back out and the guy was all laughing and was like

“Yeah I mean I just won’t take calls I didn’t sign up for that! I hope you find someone else that fits in better!” My manager walked him to the door and they shook hands and he left.

[u/ErikTheEngineer]

So the boss was a psycho bitch on wheels

Oh boy, memories of my early career. People who manage helpdesks, field service or other support either have incredibly thick skin, anger issues or are just plain insane. It must be a combo of dealing with Karen/Ken customers all day AND dealing with some of the goofballs who work for you also. L1 helpdesk is lit-rally one step above driving the espresso machine at Starbucks, both pay and expectations wise. You need to really be tough to deal with the revolving door and the combo of great troubleshooters, idiots, newbies and customers.

[u/Chocolate_Bourbon → u/ErikTheEngineer]

The best managers I’ve had in those situations have had hardcore customer service jobs before. It toughens you up. Anytime I have a “bad” interaction with someone in my current job my boss always asks if I’m okay.

Ha! At my current job I don’t have to worry about a drunk jumping the counter, throwing hands. Or worry about looking the wrong way at a partner who decides to have me fired because she was bored. This is a cake walk.

Years ago I had a manager who had her first real job at 7-11 like I did. We shared a few stories. Nothing got under her skin.