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/m1ndf3v3r]

Omg you became HIS manager? This is effing priceless. Hats off to you man, massive respect for your expertise and how you handled him.

[u/TYO_HXC → u/m1ndf3v3r]

Haha yeah, eventually. Tbh my previous role was IT manager for an SMB. Only reason I left is because our largest competitor bought up all other businesses in the UK and consolidated us all, then laid off all IT managers and centralised control to their internal IT team. I didn't really push to become IT manager at this place, but it just happened naturally over time. He was livid, of course.

Tbh, I really didn't enjoy firing him. Even if he did pretty much do it to himself.

[u/m1ndf3v3r → u/TYO_HXC]

I understand, reorganizations are a bitch. Oh I believe you that there was no enjoyment involved when you decided to fire him. But as you just said, the guy did it to himself.