I hate my job sometimes

Someone from my workplace was punished today. He used to be my subordinate, but is no longer, as I have changed departments. I was very upset about it.

He was an excellent chap who worked hard and gave no grief to his superiors while he was there.

But that has been forgotten now.

He was disciplined today, and even though I appealed to boss, he was still punished. Granted, he committed a mistake, but I sincerely felt that he did not deserve to be punished as harshly as he was.

His new superior wanted to make an example out of him, and to send the message that he did not condone ill-discipline. Fine and good, but I felt his actions was sending a wrong message.

Now, we are telling all of them that "We do not care what you have done in the past. You may contribute a hell lot, and work your ass off, but put one toe out of line, and there is no second chance given."

I am not being fair about this. Because I would not have done it were I in his superior's shoes. I agree that in my workplace, discipline is a very important thing, but I am upset because I failed to protect and support this ex-subordinate of mine. I appreciated his work while I was there, and he did put in effort and hard work. This is not always apparent in most people, but he was one.

I feel I have failed, and that I am sorry. But that does not matter to him, as punishment was already meted out, and he is serving it now.

Sometimes I really hate how the responsibilities I have correspond to the power (or lack thereof) I have in my workplace.