6. The Condition of My Conditions

This chapter highlights the third of six findings from the redemptive managerial behaviors research, in which managers created structured and conditional plans for reinstating terminated workers, at times looking to prevent a reoccurrence of the same behavior that had led to the original termination, but in all cases acting to protect the company in their role as agents of their firms. Managers also pursued a very directive approach to communication, challenging the returning employees to improve their performance and seeking to motivate them to be successful this time with this second chance. On a number of occasions as a result of this direct communication workers expressed remorse for past mistakes and a commitment to work harder and regain trust.