Firing Long Term Service Writer

[cgaymon]

My big question is how do you terminate a service writer who has been with you since your business started (7 years). But due to economic down turn I can not afford to keep him and myself as front counter help. His wife was terminated from her job in January, and my soft spot kicked in. He is great with the customers, etc, but current sales figures aren't enough for both of us. I have tried to keep him on, but all I am doing is getting myself in deeper and deeper.

 

Any suggestions?

Edited April 28, 2009 by cgaymon

[autoguy]

My big question is how do you terminate a service writer who has been with you since your business started (7 years). But due to economic down turn I can not afford to keep him and myself as front counter help. His wife was terminated from her job in January, and my soft spot kicked in. He is great with the customers, etc, but current sales figures aren't enough for both of us. I have tried to keep him on, but all I am doing is getting myself in deeper and deeper.

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

That's a tough one when you have an emotional connection there and start to feel bad. I believe that you need to think as a business man and business first...BUT...maybe and just maybe..if you don't want to loose him, explain to him where you are at and what you need to do to get back up to a level to support his employment. Set tasks for him to help increase the business. Increase your car count and your prices and you may be able to keep him.

 

Otherwise, I would take him to dinner or any public place.. and lay him off. He will be able to collect unemployment