I run a Useless Advice column, and I am not satisfied with the answers one of our writers supplies. While I know he has the best of intentions, his answers border on useful. to be honest, I think his wife is answering them, which goes to show he really IS the most Useless of any of the writers. My question is: How should I tell him that he’s fired? I appreciate your input. Oh, and did I mention that he’s my brother?

Sincerely,
One Useless Man

One Useless Man,

I think you may have answered your own question, in a sense. If his not quite useless advice is really being dished out by his not useless wife, then that would ultimately intensify his uselessness making him useless enough to keep on! So their’s no need to fire him!

To be quite honest though, talk to him. And his wife. If she mentions that she is answering some of the questions for him, then just give him a warning. If his useless advice doesn’t shape up then fire him. Atleast give him a warning so he can see the error of his ways.

If you still want to fire him anyway, be forward and honest. Tell him why you’re doing it. Things will be uncomfortable at first, and he may beg for forgiveness, but chances are he won’t be upset forever.