Oh, that sucks, I'm sorry. Awful to have to let someone go so soon after starting things up! *hugs*

Brutal.  Letting someone go who helped at the beginning for financials is never easy or fun.  My condolences to both of you.

Yes, it sucks. For both of you. But you need to look to the long term and this is the right decision for your lab. Still, it will likely take more than one beer...

Rift, if the institution is big enough, good techs get picked up by other labs right away.

Gerty, sorry about the situation, I guess here is the hardest part about being a PI.  But it was the right decision, who knows if you keep the lab going and get additional funding, Al might could come back.  I've seen this with supertechs that come and go due to funding.

Don't feel too bad Gerty, just give him an awesome rec and keep an ear out for people looking for a tech.  You have to do what you think is best for the lab especially when you're in these early start up stages.  Just don't expect too much out of your grad students for a while, they don't hit their stride until the middle of year two or 3 :P

Yep - one of the toughest things I've had to do so far in my career.

Thanks, everyone. It did indeed suck. When I hired Al (he was a technician-sorry for the ambiguous post, gc), we agreed that this was a temporary gig just to get things up and running. I've been doing really well recruiting grad students, and with recent budget projections, it was clear that now was the time for me to move on. Still, didn't make it easier. I'll keep my eye out for somewhere else to move them, but we'll see.

Shitcanning people is definitely the worst part of being a manager.

Sorry too, I also have had to do that and it is horrible.

Yes, it was really unpleasant. I don't know if it will ever get easier. But it was the right thing for my lab.