Article March 7, 2011 Issue

Fair play at work

By Bess Allen

Several years ago I was a manager in a large retail store. My team had just completed a challenging remodel of the store, but the results were not as satisfying as my boss had hoped they would be, despite the many long hours I’d dedicated to this project. I was surprised when my boss told me that part of her “action plan” to improve the situation was to fire me.

Because I had worked for the company for over ten years and had a good record, it would take three months of probation before I could be fired. My boss told me she thought it would be best if I left quietly, and as soon as possible.

My first response was anger. Feeling that I was being treated unjustly, I seethed over her conclusion that I was the problem. After a few days in this state I realized I could pray about the situation, instead of dwelling on the problem.