Poor David

When this whole water damage debacle happened, lo those many weeks ago, we immediately hired a local restoration company on the recommendation of our insurance agent.  They were quick on the job and within a day we had fans blowing everything dry and a concrete plan of action in place for how to get the house back to normal as soon as possible.

The crew the company sent out was excellent.  David, the foreman, made an immediate impression on both Dave and me.  He was incredibly competent and seemed to be amazingly thorough in everything he did.  I only wish I'd taken a picture of the plastic bubble-boy tent he built to help get the final little bits of moisture out of our bathroom. 

He was awesome, but best of all he was totally likable.  He spent over a week at my house, coming and going several times every day.  By the end of the week, I was inviting him to eat dinner with us and I knew all about his five kids, his religion (Lutheran Orthodox) and the fact that several years ago he and his wife had carried a baby boy named Alex full-term before it died only hours after being born. 

He seemed like such a good citizen, the kind of guy any company would be thrilled to have as a foreman, mostly because he instilled such confidence in us and we're pretty difficult people to please.  (Just ask the clean-up crew!)  Twice, I called the company just to tell them what an excellent job he was doing here.

Yesterday I found out that he was no longer with the company.  I spent all day worrying about him and his five kids and wondering what possibly could've happened to his job.  I couldn't imagine that he'd been fired because from a customer's perspective, he was an excellent employee.

But he was fired.  One of the other workers told me that he was "basically canned."  Apparently he was a little too loose with the company gas card and he had a history of yelling at the boss and telling him he wasn't doing things right.  I can hardly imagine him acting that way.  Dave's response to me was that he "bets David was in the right."  Apparently he was also a bit TOO thorough and tended to have too much overtime, which I guess I can understand.  But STILL.  The whole thing has left a very bad taste in my mouth.  It's strange to get only one side of a story, but it sure seems like the company sold him short. 

Part of me wants to find his old business card and see if I can't try to get a hold of him.  If nothing else, I'd be happy to let him use me as a reference.  Would that seem weird, though?  Calling him at home out of the blue?  How weird is it that I'm so worried about him?

Comments

[Scissorbill]

I think that's sweet. We're renovating our house right now and I feel the same way about the foreman. When you let people into your home for weeks on end you let them into your lives and easily develop a bond. I think it would be very nice of you to offer to be a reference for him. He sounds like a great guy.

[Jen]

It is always nice to help people who think you deserve it. Put yourself in his place- would you be uncomfortable? I always try to do what I would want if it were me, and I think I would appreciate the call and the reference if it were me.

[Susan]

Since you clearly have a great working relationship with him (and since he gave you his card with his home number), I think it would be a welcome gesture to let him know you are sad to see him go, and that you are available as a positive reference. Couldn't hurt; might just make his day.

[sherry]

I think if you had never really spoken to him it would be weird but with dinner invitations and personal conversations, I don't think it would be weird at all. I think he would really appreciate it, especially if references may be a problem. I know I would maybe be startled at first but I would be very grateful if someone looked me up and called me to offer their name as a reference.

If he has five kids and just lost a job, calling him for that would possibly be the bright spot he needs.

[kheatherg]

I dunno......... I work in a contractor based business with 17 guys in the field. We have some great guys, some good and some that can talk the clients out of their first names and sell it back to them for double the price.

I've been on jobsite with the guys before and actually have seen them snow clients and have to shake my head in wonder.

Maybe put in a call to the company and speak with the owner and simply ask. Tell him that Dave made such an impression on you that......yadda-yadda.

But do beware, you only know about Dave what he wanted you to know.

[Candy]

Whenever I question myself about such things, I ask myself how I'd feel if someone did that to/for me. If you would find it awesome that one of your former clients called to offer a reference, then you should totally do it.

On the other hand, if you think that would freak you out a little, then it will probably do the same to him.

[Ashley]

I don't think it would be weird at all, and it would actually be welcome after the initial "huh? who is calling?" wears off. The world is short on these kind of generosities. I think the only reason anyone would be hesitant to reach out like this is because we are all so fucking jaded. When you really stop and think about it, there is nothing weird about it at all. If you saw him in the street you would likely say something, why is the phone different?

[cindy w]

I think it would be incredibly nice of you to try to contact him and let him know that he can use you as a reference. He's going to be job-hunting, and it sounds like he won't be able to use his employer for any positive feedback, so it might help him land a new job if he has some rave reviews from satisfied customers that he's worked with.

As for the comment above that makes it sound like you might've been snowed by this guy: I'd say trust your gut. A lot of times the people who run these companies are less than upstanding citizens, so ignore the office gossip and focus on what really matters. He fixed the problem in your house, he did a great job, and you thought he was a likable guy. Sounds like a good reference to me.

[Katelynsmama]

I don't think it's strange at all. Sometimes in life we just meet people we have an instant connection to. I'm sure he would appreciate it. I know I would. And don't think you would be the first to do such a thing I've never once in my life had a true job interview I was always just recommended by so and so to so and so and have worked my way up the ladder. It happens more than you would think.

[AlbasMom]

You know why you want to call him and give him a good reference? Probably because you are a good person! He has done good work for you and you were fortunate enough to meet him and like him so why not call and give a good reference? Sounds like the right thing to do to me.

[Laura]

I think you should go with your instincts. :-D

[michelle]

I think you should go with your gut feeling. Sometimes it take that little phone call to make some ones day. I also would call the company and speak to the superviosr and let him know how great you think david is with 5 babys I'm sure he will need all the help he can get even if it is from a stranger.