Thread by @BrownSoylent, I heard the "Tom Cruise" rant for the first time today. I [...]

I heard the "Tom Cruise" rant for the first time today. I want to share some important thoughts as an employer for many decades now...

What Tom did was TOTALLY unacceptable. But please let me explain why - a brief thread.

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At first blush Tom's actions seem totally appropriate. Respected people like Whoopi Goldberg and George Clooney defended him.

But the issue doesn't lie with Tom's message about the importance of following Covid protocols on-set (or in the workplace, whatever you call yours)

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The primary issue with Tom's rant is HOW he went about delivering the message. Tom was verbally abusing, creating what any HR expert would call a "hostile workplace". His behavior was also potentially physically intimidating and threatening, but I admit there's no video.

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Regardless of what infraction an employee has committed, being abusive - either verbally or otherwise - is NEVER an appropriate response. As a supervisor, manager, boss, etc - you have a responsibility to take operate on a more mature level.

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Furthermore, his rant was clearly public, in front of an audience - which amounts to shaming and embarrassing the employees. And I can relate to many people saying they deserved it. But that does not make it right, nor appropriate (or legal in some places).

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It is TOTALLY acceptable to counsel an employee. And completely appropriate to inform them that ANY further infractions will result in immediate termination of their employment - ESPECIALLY for safety-related concerns like this.

You can also terminate them IMMEDIATELY.

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The message can be delivered as directly and succinctly as Tom did. With a calm and emotionally level voice. And ideally, a GOOD employer will communicate expectations in WRITING and have the employee sign such acknowledgement that his/her job is at risk.

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Allowing his rant to be recorded and released publicly exposed Tom to liability and if these employees get a lawyer, they have a decent case to demand a settlement.

Now I am not saying I don't agree with Tom 100%!!! But Tom is a trained actor, not a trained HR manager...

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I'm curious to know what those of you who work at any medium to large corporation would think if your boss yelled at your publicly, got "in your face", made you feel physically or emotionally afraid - even if you screwed up.

I've had to fire MANY people over the years...

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Firing someone is NEVER pleasant. You're potentially ruining their life for some period of time. They might end up divorced, or letting down their kids or parents. It's sad even when they brought it upon themselves. So if YOU are a boss, please take consider this:

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The act of firing someone is a skill to be mastered. Something you should master like anything else. Doing it right involves limiting your liability. It means handling the problem quickly, efficiently, and directly. You don't have to play around or be soft.

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But you don't have to react emotionally. That's low EQ, as it is called. And its the mark of an unskilled boss. Tom's boss should be calling him in, letting him know that as a supervisor, he failed as much as the set workers, and that if he does it again, HE is fired.

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Now I get it - Tom probably is a free agent, contract worker, or somesuch. He has an agent, not a boss. He is his own boss. But being at the top of whatever food chain you work in or for doesn't make you above the law, or exempt from common decency.

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So having posted all this - I'm curious what those of you who read this think? I hope I'm clear on where I stand:

Intent and purpose - 100% behind Tom.
Delivery and execution - 100% failure BY Tom.

But it DID make for sensational news!! The only winner here: News media

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