Moneyball - Firing people on HackerTube: recommended by 3 Hacker News commenters across 3 separate months, 2019–2022.
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A short Moneyball clip showing a manager telling a player he has been cut, directly and without softening the news.
HN points to it as a model for firing or laying off people clearly and respectfully.
“This is probably the greatest video clip on the subject of all time”
6 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.
One of the hardest things about this process for a sensitive and compassionate leader is knowing when to not try and "make it better." This is probably the greatest video clip on the subject of all time: ▶ this video
in “Planning and Managing Layoffs” · View on HN
Getting fired is bad enough, but if it's being done by someone bad at firing people it's the worst. Moneyball had some solid advice: "Be straight with them, no fluff, just facts. 'Pete I gotta let you go. Jack's office will handle the details.'" That's it. [1]: ▶ this video
in “Better.com CEO fires 900 employees on Zoom call” · View on HN
It's extra funny, because the same movie has this wonderful scene I refer to often when I'm working as a consultant: ▶ this video TL;DW: "We're professionals, treat me like a professional. If it's not working out, say so, and I'll make it right or we'll shake hands and part ways on good terms". I used to provide clients with a "how to fire me" document because it made them feel comfortable hiring me in the first place. (Tell me, I return materials, pay me outstanding balances, here's the keys you change, here's how we wrap up the contract terms, etc etc) I've been "fired" a bunch of times, and at times have had those same clients that "fired" me refer me to new clients. It's the same as with most technical work, I find: if you're not failing at least sometimes, you're not pushing the limits of what is possible.
in “Programmer Moneyball (2016)” · View on HN
> Apologize to the employees leaving as a company. Explain why. Tell them what happens next. Apologize again. 100% bang on. I've been through a layoff, it sucked but the company were straight-forward, didn't mince their words and didn't fuck around. If I had to sit through some spiel about how the manager or CEO felt, I would've been upset. It reminded me of the scene when Jonah Hill's character in Moneyball learned how to tell a player they were cut/traded from their baseball team, and then had to actually do it ( ▶ this video )
in “CEO's LinkedIn crying selfie about layoffs met with backlash” · View on HN
Agree with you. Saw something like this not too long ago where it was not handled crisply. There were no long-lasting consequences as far as I know and I can't get into the details but it was just sloppy and leaked all over the place. I think your advice is well dramatized by this Moneyball scene: ▶ this video
in “Planning and Managing Layoffs” · View on HN
I'm reminded of a clip from the movie Moneyball: ▶ this video I really like your suggestion that someone check in with the person in a couple days. That helps address the charitable desire without compromising the need for performance at work.
in “Ask HN: Never been fired, what should I know before I fire someone?” · View on HN