I have to fire the best intern I've ever had. I feel sick.
Like the title says, I have to fire the best intern I've ever had in 30 minutes and I feel like Im going to throw up. I know it was a stupid mistake, it would likely never happen again, but its beyond repair. They could've done so many things and I would've gone to bat to keep them, but I cannot in this situation. I don't know why I'm posting this here, will probably delete in a few hours. I just need to write it down somewhere. It's never been this hard to fire someone. I feel like my favorite horse broke its leg and now I have to shoot it. It's so hard to get a job right now, I so badly want to help them but they've put me in an impossible situation. I'm dreading them asking if I will give them a good reference. Their work is excellent. Accurate, never on time, always early, perfect. They need almost no direction, always have a good attitude. I would never say anything otherwise. But I will inevitably be asked if they are eligible for rehire and would have to say no, so I think its best they don't list me as a reference, I hope they don't ask. I feel sick.
Before deleting, I just want to add, if you screw up please just immediately and sincerely apologize. Call you supervisor and let us know what happened. I can't know for sure if I could've changed anyones mind. But please just give us a chance to fight for you! When you ignore it or double down we have no shot at trying to keep you.