Friend getting fired?

Question

My long time friend and coworker is probably getting fired this week and I'm not sure what to do. Part of me wants to warn her to clean up her act, but I think that will really get in the way of our friendship--she takes everything so personally. I understand why my boss says she is going to let her go, as she doesn't pay attention to what she is doing and causes dangerous accidents. So the other part of me knows that she should probably move on. How can I do what's best and still keep our friendship? (Also, although I am not the one making the decision whether or not she gets fired, I have a decent amount of influence, and she is aware of that.)

Answer 1

I say tell her (as long as it doesn't jeopardize YOUR job to do so) and let her have a chance to get it together.  Also, let her know that you can't stick up for her if she's causing dangerous accidents, so she really has to do better and now.

Answer 2

It the accusation is true, perhaps she DOES need to be let go, if someone can be hurt by her lack of attention.  Sometimes it takes a hard life lesson to make a person wake up and smell the coffee, as they say.  If you used your influence to help her keep her job, and something bad happened, you'd likely never forgive yourself, and at the very least YOUR reputation could be ruined.  I say let her learn her lesson the hard way, and let her move forward from here.

Answer 3

Tell her. Also tell her you value her friendship and would like to be friends. Help her find a new job.. after she gets let go.

Answer 4

Good grief it has come to this?  Did she not see the warning signs?  Did you not try to give her a heads up prior to this?  That is not here nor there.  She does not seem like a good fit for the company and it is important that you keep your job also.

So DO NOT say anything to her prior to this, softening the blow will not help.  It is best as you said for her to move on.  Let her know that you are there to listen but say NOTHING.

Answer 5

A good friend will tell her. It is better for her to take it personally than to cause a serious accident. If you lose her friendship over it, she wasn't much of a friend. You are doing it for her own good and for her future.