04/04/2025
HEY, SO THIS JUST HAPPENED!
The company I have been loyal and committed to for more than four years just fired me without prejudice. Tricked me into a sales meeting this morning. The owner of the company met me at the door before I could put my stuff down, ushered me to the back room, said "I'm letting you go today. I'll need your credit card, gas card, computer, phone and keys to your car," (I'm 30 miles from home) then he shewed me out the back door like a bag of garbage. He gave me a plastic bag, and a bucket to put my personal items from the car into and offered to get me an uber home. I told him, "Don't do me any favors," threw my bag over my shoulder and walked.
True story! Do I fault Don LaFerney Jr. for firing me from LaFerney Commercial Roofing?
No! Not at all! I failed to meet my sales goal last year; the fact that his roofs are too expensive notwithstanding, I didn't meet the minimum requirements of my contract that ended January 31 of this year.
To caveat, I did speak with the VP, who happens to be the owner's stepson, back in November. I explained to him then that after several lost sales, I was worried I would not meet my contract goals. I conceded that my failure required disciplinary action, and that if reducing my pay down to a first-tier salesperson (a reduction of pay at a minimum of $15,000 per year) was necessary, I fully understood. The only thing I asked was that he let me know then, back in November. If he were going to cut my pay, or I would be let go, I needed to know so I could make economic decisions for my family for the coming year. The VP of this family-owned business that prides itself with following Christian fundamentals, PROMISED me that would not happen.
He said "we found that when we cut a salesperson's pay, they quit."
I reassured him, "I won't quit," I said. "Don is a businessman and he is doing this for a profit. I'm under contract. If I fail to meet the requirements of my contract there should be consequences."
The VP reiterated that he would not cut my pay. He said he would discuss it with Don, but as of now (November), he would not cut my pay. I told him I appreciated that, but if anything changes, "please just let me know now (November), so I can make necessary arrangements."
LaFerney's fiscal year starts February 1. Today is April 4, and we, I and the rest of the sales team, do not have a contract for 2025. Guess I won't get one now. Our first quarter ends April 30. I'm less than $300K from quarter goal (previous contract) with $500K on deck but was told the reason for my dismissal was that I was "not on goal." I said, "it isn't the end of the quarter yet and we don't even have a contract." He said, "you missed last year!" I said, "what about the conversation I had with #& #^!$ right here in November?" My question was met with silence and indignation.
So, should Don LaFerney have fired me? Absolutely! I would have fired me on January 31, but I would have done it respectfully. I would have answered my concerns brought to my attention back in November. I would have vowed to do what I could to help me make goal, and if it still wasn't achievable, I would have helped me to find other employment, promised to be a good reference, and developed a week-long disengagement program where my equipment and materials could be properly cleaned, inventoried and returned; my personal information removed from communication devices, and a proper hand-off of open proposals with imminent decisions. I probably would have even worked out a compensation plan for said proposals should they close shortly after my dismissal, because that is the right thing to do.
I would not have lied and tricked me. I would not have treated me like a thief or felon, I would not have thrown me out the back door like garbage and I wouldn't have stranded me, 30 miles from home with a large plastic bag full of my personal items and a promise to buy me an Uber.
I didn't deserve that. I've made more than $2.7 million for LaFerney. Granted, it took me nearly four years to do it, but I have been loyal, respectful and committed the entire time. Is it too much to ask that top-down loyalty and respect be returned?
