WilLaVeist.com

By now, with the unemployment rate at 9.6 percent, many of us know that losing a job can be devastating. I published my award-winning book, “Fired Up” after I was blindsided by a firing in 2006 before the recession kicked in the end of 2007. The book was therapeutic for me and continues to help many others who are in crisis. It has also enlightened employers on more humane ways to let people go. 

But there are times when a firing is well earned, or a person should resign. Two news stories around the Labor Day weekend make this point.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that five workers (four executives and one assistant) for the Community Services Board in Norfolk, Va. where fired or forced to resign after an investigation into how a former employee had received pay and benefits for 12 years without showing up for work. Yes, phantom worker Jill McGlone, a former office assistant, even received cost-of-living increases leading to a final annual salary of $29,000 (possibly more than $300,000 total). She stopped showing for work after a personnel investigation that mysteriously vaporized. Then someone at the agency continued submitting her deadbeat time sheets.

The salaries of the fired five (Laurie Paquin, Linda Berardi, Anthony Crisp, Brenda Wise, Suzanne Williams) ranged from $40,000 to $108,000 or more per year. Their time with the city ranged from 15 to 37 years. Why someone would risk his or her livelihood allowing pay to a no show employee, filing out bogus timesheets, and cashing checks you know you didn’t earn is, well, poor character, and just stupid.

Poor character and stupidity is alive in Suffolk, Va. too. A new story emerged about the city’s former voter registrar, Sharon Thornhill, who apparently didn’t resign her nearly $60,000 a year job for “personal reasons” as first reported in August. With the November election approaching and the recession raging, it seemed odd that a 27-year city employee would abruptly walk away from a top job held for more than two years. Officially, Thornhill was let go for poor performance, the Pilot reported.

Employers typically don’t reveal negatives about ex-workers, so not to harm workers chances of getting a new job or expose the organization to lawsuits. However, Thornhill told the Pilot her firing happened during her performance review with the three-member Electoral Board when she revealed receiving a pornographic email from board member David Sylvia. Meanwhile, Sylvia told the Pilot that Thornhill demanded the board issue a positive review as compensation for the inappropriate email. Thornhill had been on notice that her job was in jeopardy, he said. 

Sylvia admitted using his personal email account to forward the “Putting on a bikini” photos to four of his buddies only “who I thought would appreciate it.” He told the Pilot that he inadvertently sent it to Thornhill and his own mother (Mom? Hmmm). He owned up to his stupid mistake and apologized. Meanwhile, Thornhill denied the ultimatum charge, theorizing that the board was “trying to cover their backs.”

Both Thornhill and Sylvia should be done.

If Thornhill was on notice for poor performance and didn’t improve, the board has the right to remove her. Voting is too important to have someone in the post that isn’t up to par. She should’ve immediately reported the inappropriate email to the city manager if she felt it hurt her ability to do her job.

Serving on the Electoral Board is also vital and a privilege.

The Suffolk Circuit Court appoints Electoral Board members to three-year terms. Only the court can remove a board member, but only after a hearing triggered by a complaint filed in court. However, board members can step down. 

Sylvia’s email was clearly inappropriate, particularly for a person of high character needed on the board. He’s been there 15 years. Clearly he uses is personal email to conduct city business, or Thornhill’s email would not have been in his inbox or contacts list. By stepping down, Sylvia can redeem some character and save the city the time and money associated with a complaint and hearing.

Labor Day weekend is no holiday for millions of Americans who are unemployed. That should motivate more people to not take their jobs for granted. 

You could be next.

Wil LaVeist is an award-winning journalist and author of the award-winning book, ”Fired Up.” Reach him at www.WILLAVEIST.com or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .