Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Top-Performing Employee Fired After Motivation Criticism Despite Praise
An employee said his boss often praised his work.
He also said his teammates liked him.
Even so, a more senior manager reportedly decided he was not motivated enough.
The employee was fired and felt very surprised.
He was worried about what to tell companies during future interviews.
An experienced HR worker suggested that he not spend too much time guessing why it happened.
Instead, the worker advised him to update his resume and contact people who might help him find a job.
Other commenters said layoffs, salary costs, jealousy, or company profits can sometimes affect who loses a job.
An employee said he was fired for allegedly lacking motivation despite being praised by his direct boss.
The employee said his team liked him and considered him a strong performer.
He said a senior manager disagreed with his immediate boss’s assessment of his work.
The unexpected termination left him unsure how to explain the situation to future employers.
An HR professional advised him to focus on his well-being, update his job-search materials, and move forward.
- Who
- An unnamed employee, his immediate boss, a senior manager, and commenters including an HR professional.
- What
- The employee said he was fired for allegedly lacking motivation despite positive feedback about his performance.
- When
- The timing was not specified in the account.
- Where
- The company and its location were not specified.
- Why
- The stated reason was that the employee was not motivated enough, although he said his immediate boss praised his performance.
Employee’s Account
Possible Workplace Explanations
Reason for termination
Employee’s Account
The employee said the motivation criticism conflicted with praise from his immediate boss and support from his team.
Possible Workplace Explanations
Commenters suggested that the decision could have reflected factors such as salary costs, jealousy, layoffs, or broader company profitability concerns.
How to respond
Employee’s Account
The employee was shocked and wanted advice about maintaining his relationship with his former boss and explaining the firing.
Possible Workplace Explanations
The HR professional advised him not to dwell on the company’s reasoning and instead concentrate on recovery and finding a new job.
Meaning of strong performance
Employee’s Account
The employee believed his positive feedback and performance made the termination difficult to understand.
Possible Workplace Explanations
Commenters argued that even strong performers can be dismissed because companies make decisions based on factors beyond individual performance.
- Stated reason for termination
- The employee said he was told he was not motivated enough.
- Employee’s account of performance
- He described himself as one of the company’s top performers.
- Immediate manager’s feedback
- The employee said his direct boss had consistently praised his high performance.
- Team relationships
- He said his team liked him.
- Senior management view
- He said his immediate boss’s senior disagreed with that performance assessment.
- Employee’s concern
- He was unsure how to explain the termination to future employers.
- HR advice
- An HR professional recommended focusing on well-being, updating job-search materials, networking, and applying for new roles.