I am glad to see the end of the week.


We have had several projects going, some going very good, some going very slow.


To complicate things, I am still trying to overcome this cold or flu


I have had some other things going on so I have bounced from project to project, trying to monitor progress, solve any problems but mainly to let the guys know I am watching them.


My week culminated with me firing one of the guys.  In fact he was in charge of the wood work in the boat project.  He had come to work in October and had a great deal of energy and want to, but with the addition of two younger guys he became complacent and lazy.


About ten days ago we began the boat project.  Pulling the engine (which Josh oversaw) and trying to tear out and assess how extensive the floor and substructure needed to be replaced.  I would arrive at the shop and the wood man always needed more tools and needed me to watch over and guide him.


I explained that if I am going to have to be there and baby sit him, there is no reason for him to be there.


He immediately asked what I had against him.  I told him I had nothing against him, but he seemed unable to work without hands on supervision.


It seemed that every day this was a re-occurring thing.  "You don't like me",  "You have it in for me", "You are always threatening me with my job".


Yesterday I had spent the morning doing some banking and looking over cotton grades and sending cotton to be sold.


All of the guys had come to the house to get their checks at noon and I had rushed to get back and have checks waiting.


After lunch, I made a razoo to see what everyone was doing and how progress was coming.  My first stop was to check on the shredder.  I had to move him back to the other side of the field, explaining that the plow was going to catch him and he needed to concentrate on the rows that went completely through the field, not short rows that had fallow ground on the far end.  Then I took a circuitous route to check on the tractor plowing.  I like to be able to watch from afar before revealing that I am even in the country.  Finally I went to the barn and found no one was there.  To add further insult to injury, my one major rule for the boat project had been broken.  They were  not working and the boat was not tarped.


I began to put a plan in place for finding the red truck and the two employees when I saw them in the distance crossing to a back road pulling the fuel tank.


I knew where they were going now, so I took a short cut and was waiting on them when they got there.  You could tell when they saw me because the truck slowed to a crawl.  Finally they pulled up beside me.  They told me they needed to turn in to the turn row I was blocking.


I asked them, "What is wrong with this picture?"


They responded, "What picture?"


"Why does it take two people to get fuel and take fuel to the tractors, and why didn't you combine this trip with coming to get paychecks?"


I explained that it was costing $18 dollars an hour for the two of them to go and get fuel and take it to the tractors, plus gas, and that they had not hit a lick since breaking for lunch.  They had sat in line at the fuel pump to get the fuel.


One of the guys was extremely quiet.  The other couldn't keep his mouth shut with a stapler on a bet.


Earlier in the week we were talking and he began to argue with me.  This had become so old, I told him, "No, we aren't going to argue about it.  If you disagree that vehemently get your personal effects and give me your hours".


At that time he told me, "There you go again threatening me with my job!"


I told him that it wasn't a threat, it was an ultimatum.  I am the boss, you are the employee and if you can't do what I need you to do and tell you to do, then I don't need you.


Yesterday was no different.  He had an excuse.  He was doing what Slats had told him (I told him get his paycheck from Slats).  He has a lot going on.


Eventually I drove away.  Only to receive a text from him a half hour later.  I responded to him with a text.  Then I got a phone call from him.  I cut him short and told him I was on my way to his location.


When I arrived he began shouting and telling me what he didn't like about working for me, that I was a poor boss and several other things (including he needed more guidance).


I told him to quit shouting and If I was so difficult to work for why would he even want the job.  It continued until he told me I always singled him out, that it was a personal issue.


I told him "Fine." 


He said, "Is this going to cost me my job?"


"It already has", I responded.


Then the tirade was on.  I have never heard such language.  I learned that I was a punk that needed my ass kicked (to which I extended an invitation to bring it on), Slats is a punk two faced ass kisser.  I am stupid, he was the best hand I had and they loved guys like me and Slats in the penitentiary.


In a final act of defiance he grabbed all his personal items and headed town the road, rejecting any offers of a ride from Slats or myself.


Whew.


Go ahead.  Make my week!


Oh FATHER, sometimes I am so confused by situations and people.  I'm not sure what I am supposed to learn from this.  Broaden my horizons. Expand me.