Earlier this year we removed a long time manager from his job because we heard he was being rude to clients. When he was initially fired, he was crushed. He said he wanted a chance to prove himself. We said we’d consider his request.
After several months of doing a good job in entry level positions around the program he was given another opportunity. He was put in charge of a house with about 50 clients, about half the size of the previous house he’d managed before being terminated. Our staff hoped for the best.
However, before long we began hearing reports from clients that he was again being rude and was unapproachable. We monitored his performance for a while, giving him the benefit of the doubt. When we found he hadn’t changed we let him go.
It’s always difficult to terminate a manager, as it takes months to train them. In particular, we invest a lot of time teaching them how to be an example of recovery for the clients. And while they’re managing and counseling their peers they’re reinforcing their own recovery.
Our mission at TLC is help recovering substance abusers rebuild their lives. But when staff members stop being an example for others – and stop working on their own recovery we have to make changes.
Even when it’s difficult.
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