The WallStreet Journal has an interesting article on the cover of today's Marketplace section titled Sometimes Colleagues Are Just Too Bad Not to Get Promoted. The article is about a phenomenon in business where underperforming employees are moved around a company to avoid firing them. In many instances, the unwanted employee is promoted as a means to move them on to another organization.

Sad, but true.

The article made me remember a person I worked with years ago that was a true problem. Everyone knew this person was a rotten apple - disagreeable, difficult to deal with, rude. Some thought this person was certifiable. So, sensing the unease this person caused in the workplace, the CEO promoted this person to a position of great responsibility, without any direct reports, to remove them form our direct contact.

What should have been done in this case�...and all cases�... is fire the person that's a problem. Hiring, managing, and releasing employees is a core responsibility of business. Keeping a rotten apple serves no one and potentially spoils the entire barrel. Worse, promoting a rotten apple sends a terrible message to all employees.

Have you seen an employees moved around organization that otherwise should have been fired? What affect did it have on your team and other employees?