Have you ever fired a staff member and then allowed them to return?

Well, sometimes a staff member or two on my community goes inactive - whether its due to school, life issues, or other things. But basically, if you fire a staff member - have you ever allowed them to come back to your staff team?

For me, I do because if that certain staff member played a huge active role on the community, I'll welcome them back with open arms, because there's nothin like having an experienced staff member on board.

How about you? Do you do this? Or once you fire a staff member they can never return?

 

I've never brought anyone back that I removed from moderatorship. For the most part if someone is demodded it's because they did something against the site or created a lot of drama.

I generally don't demod for inactivity as life has it's ebb and flow, people get busy, then unbusy, etc.

 

I never bring anyone back, whether they get fired or leave on their own. I kind of share Trump's philosophy on that. If they wanted to leave once they are just going to want to leave again. I don't go for all of the waffling.

 

I have not actually fired a staff member and had them return to my forums. Usually though, when I fire staff members it's because they're inactive / been missing for a long time, so that could be the main reason why.

 

I did to one person, then after I added them back I had to remove them again a week or 2 later.

 

Yes I have done this for inactivity reasons only and have never let anyone get there position back.

 

If I fire a staff members it's usually because they have done something wrong. If they have abused my trust once, there is no way I'll let them into the team again. Of course, if I reduce the staff numbers because we don't need them for a while, then, the moment their services are needed again, they are the first on the list to regain their position. Right now my forums run without staff and it's OK. Hope not to need help for some time.

 

It would primarily depend on the reasons for firing. If the staff member got busy with his or her personal, and then was no longer able to perform their duties, then, yes, I would rehire. It it were for some gross rule violation then I would not.

 

Yes, I have. I do believe in second chances, so most mods that left (when things ended well only) for school, getting tired, etc. always had the chance to come back if they wanted. However, when I fired a mod, which didn't happen that often anyway, I definitely didn't give them a chance to come back. Why would I?

 

Well, if they were honest and told me they would go inactive, I don't see the reason not to hire them back on when they turn active again.

In business there should be no grudges unless people just leave you hanging, as they are likely to do so again if you let them.

 

If they never returned to being active, I simply wouldn't re-hire them. I like to say "Prove yourself again and we'll re-hire you", that usually works because those said staff members are willing to work hard to return.

 

I have never had to fire someone in the first place. If they need time away for school and whatnot, then I'm okay with that. If they disappeared long enough that I had to make the decision to remove them, I wouldn't add them back as staff either. They can be a member still, but I need someone more reliable than that.

 

Fired? Never. Let go? I always tell them that they are welcome back as staff if they have the time.

 

I try to avoid staff whenever possible. It seems most want the title but not the responsibility. If a staff member proves incapable of meeting the terms and conditions required of a staff member he or she is dismissed and there is no thought given to second chances. These people represent the forums and everything they do or fail to do reflects on the forums and on the administrator. I know of no forum that can afford to have its staff members give it a bad impression.

 

I agree.

Your staff should be like miniature versions of yourself. They shouldn't necessarily act just like you, by any means, but their intentions and desire to see the community improve and grow should be very similar. And your staff do definitely represent you and your site, so one bad staff member can really ruin things at times.

 

Depending on the situation varies my response to re-hire them. Usually I am not a short tempered person, and I have good reasons before firing them from their position. So I would say no to your question, personally if I fired them in the first place, it would be due to a serious reason.

 

I have never actually fired a staff member for anything really. Therefore anyone who leaves, leaves on their own good terms so they would always be welcome back.

 

Yeah, I've allowed someone to come back as long as they have a legitimate excuse for whatever happened. I mean, if they helped your community or even want to try to help again, then I definitely think it is worth giving them a round-two.

 

I haven't done this/allowed someone back, but that's because anyone who left as staff either didn't want to be staff any more or was removed from staff for not being a good staff member or breaking rules somehow.

 

Nope, if a member deserves to be fired that is the end of the line.

By taking them back you are asking for all kinds of revenge scenarios to unfold, it's not worth the risk.