Have you ever been fired (lower case)

[CuriousJoe]

I was laid off 4 times but was able to find subsequent jobs relatively soon.
However, each one still hurts me, though I must admit that they were justified (mismatch of job requirements vs. my skills)

 

[Leo1277]

Yup. I was dating the chairman's granddaughter, which was fine until I proposed to her. Bang! I was on the street, with no notice. Long story, we just celebrated our 53rd anniversary, so no regrets.

Considering the happy ending, could it be that this was not a conventional firing, but just granddad's wisdom to avoid any potential for later nepotism complaints?

 

[caninelover]

Laid off

Four years ago I was called into a meeting with HR and informed they were moving my job to another state. I got a generous severance package and found a new job right away - so it worked out well for me and I was able to add to my FIRE stash.

It wasn't fun at the time but it worked out really well in the end.

 

[Bryan Barnfellow]

If you haven’t seen the film, Up in the Air, I highly recommend it. George Clooney plays a guy whose job it is to fire people around the US for companies which outsourced such unpleasant things. Here is the trailer: http://https://youtu.be/En0DYdjMVoY

 

[badatmath]

Well not yet but I still sort of expect it. In terms of a layoff at least.

 

[athena53]

I like to define them this way:

"Fired" = you're gone.

"Laid Off" = you're subject to recall if conditions that caused the downsizing change.

Thank you. Dad worked in the steel business and being laid off meant that they'd call you back when business picked up. And they did. These days, 99% of the time, termination means, "Leave and don't come back". Calling it a layoff is a euphemism.

My story: the company I worked for was about to be spun off as an IPO. Cost-cutting to make the balance sheet more attractive was part of it. I was called into a meeting with my boss and HR and informed that "your position has been eliminated". It came with 5 months of severance (I'd been there for 10 years) and outplacement counseling. I also knew a on of recruiters and was on the phone with one that afternoon. I started a new job 6 weeks later.

If I look at it objectively it was a rational decision- my staff could do the same stuff I was doing just as well and for less. I should have been seeking out other opportunities and I'd become complacent. I never let that happen again.

A few other times I exited before things got bad, so maybe I learned something. In my last job the politics got ugly and I decided I didn't need to work for money anymore so I left. They actually had me sign a document acknowledging that I was ineligible for rehire. Somebody REALLY didn't like me. That was almost 7 years ago. Life is good.

And I just looked up the stock value of the employer that terminated me- 5X what it was worth at the IPO in 1995. No, I don't own any! They still have the same Chairman, whose compensation package the year I left was $14 million. You'd think he'd have enough to retire by now!

 

[gayl]

Yes. I was hired to open / run a 2nd medical office. Other staff insisted that everyone pray before opening every day. I declined and rumor got out that I wasn't Christian (yes Jews aren't Christian). So I was called into the 1st office and told that the others were uncomfortable around me because I did not pray with them. That was supposed to build trust. He was clearly nervous as being a different religion shouldn't be grounds for being fired. Landed on my feet. Got a job with the county and retired after 22 yrs as a hospital director. It was a good thing I didn't fit in

 

[retired1]

Yes. Walked into the building, got coffee, settled in cubicle, checking email when Director stops by to check if I have few min. "Yes, of course" I say. Little I knew I'd be walked into a room with HR person already present. I'm told it's a layoff and I'd be escorted out. Felt belittled but learned a lesson not to take anything granted in life. Found a new contract gig paying more $ than the job I was let go from. So it worked out well.

 

[unclemick]

I fell to the temptation of running my mouth more often than I should have when I was younger. That in itself never got me fired, but I was fortunate to have some bosses who appreciated my wry wit.

Once I got aboard with a "destination" employer that paid a middle-class wage, I toned it down quite a bit.

Grin. I got 'fired' three, maybe four times in 30 years. Luckily being an engineer, I had data. Tempers cooled down and I was never escorted out the door.

Heeh heh heh - now once in college I had to train my replacement(he was engaged to the owner's daughter) and was layed off twice(aerospace).

 

[Janet H]

OK - I'll go... I was fired from my first job on day 2. I was 15 years old and got a job packing apples after school. On my second day the manager of the packing house mashed me against the packing line and groped. I reacted with a fist and a knee. At the end of my shift, I had a pink slip. It was a long time ago and I still boil when I think about it. I went home and told my mom who did the following things:

Called the managers wife AND his mother
Called the packing house owners wife
Called the local paper
Called the pastors of the churches they attended
Stood in front of the packing house for days (on a busy road) with a picket sign that said "Perverts and Sinners Within, Boycott"

I was super embarrassed by all this at the time but I learned a fair amount about social justice

 

[Boose]

Janet, that's amazing! Good for you and good on your Mom!

 

[dixonge]

In the early days of the internet I really got into Usenet discussions. Everyone had some sort of 'signature' line that showed up next to their user name, usually mentioning their university or corporation, since that is most of who was actually *on* the internet then. I decided to use that space to be cute and funny by highlighting the fact that most of the people in my company weren't even *aware* of of usenet, or the internet generally. I chose an unfortunate wording:


"my company has no clue"


I shortly discovered two things:


1. Other people in my company did, in fact, use Usenet. At least one of them saw my posts.
2. They seemed to take my signature line to be an insult to the company, rather than simply sarcastic wit.


Yes, I was fired.


I share this as a funny example. It is part of the highlight reel that was my job history up to that point, the latest in a long line of firings and quittings. My very next job was with GTE where I ended up sliding sideways into tech support which was the beginning of my actual career in I.T. Since then I was laid off once and quit once, but nothing related to my job performance. I retired with a pension from I.T. work. But my actual full resume, sheesh! What a long, sorry document that is...

 

[jim584672]

Escorted out. Company has periodic layoffs. I asked to be put on the list. One year severance, medical stipend, and UI, nice. Twenty eight years with gold watch out the door.

 

[unclemick]

OK - I'll go... I was fired from my first job on day 2. I was 15 years old and got a job packing apples after school. On my second day the manager of the packing house mashed me against the packing line and groped. I reacted with a fist and a knee. At the end of my shift, I had a pink slip. It was a long time ago and I still boil when I think about it. I went home and told my mom who did the following things:

Called the managers wife AND his mother
Called the packing house owners wife
Called the local paper
Called the pastors of the churches they attended
Stood in front of the packing house for days (on a busy road) with a picket sign that said "Perverts and Sinners Within, Boycott"

I was super embarrassed by all this at the time but I learned a fair amount about social justice

Wow! Good for Mom.

Heh heh heh -

 

[Nick12]

During the Gulf War, upper mtg were making cuts among salaried staff and I was targeted. I did not know this. My boss who was actually laid off told me he stuck up for me and convinced the execs to keep me on. Later on in the year he was laid off.

 

[Athermos4u]

I mean sh!itcanned, told to turn in the key to executive washroom, escorted out of the building. If so, please share your story.

I my case, I landed a job editing magazines on subjects I had no interest in. I discovered that the magazine business often has a narrow field of advertisers, and the job of editor has a prominent marketing role as well as that of wordsmith. Throw in my tendency to be a smartazz, and things were not likely to turn out well. They didn't.

I've been laid off twice, both times, days before I had planned to quit. Both times I was given a decent severance package. Both times I left for better jobs. My wife calls me a lucky SOB, and I think it bothers my close friends a little. But, hey, luck counts, right?

 

[Time2]

I like to define them this way:

"Fired" = you're gone.

"Laid Off" = you're subject to recall if conditions that caused the downsizing change.

But, all your stories are interesting and a fun read, so carry on.........

My dad was in construction, when I was a youngster, I ask my mother why dad keeps getting fired from his job. She explained, he isn't getting fired, he's getting laid off. When a house or building is finished there is no more work so he is laid off until the next building is started. "Oh"

 

[Nemo2]

Learned a valuable lesson at a young age.

Having been expelled from two schools, (a terminal truant), I started work at a local laundry just before my fifteenth birthday.

Dickensian equipment, (I kept looking out for Mr. Bumble the beadle), and after a couple days decided to quit.

Called into the GM's office and subjected to a rousing "Rah, Rah, we're all pulling together" speech, and was convinced to stay on "As part of the team".

A day or so later the machine I was operating was temporarily out of items to press; went looking for 'fresh fuel' - none, nothing else I could occupy myself with, so stood by my machine awaiting refills.

Female 'supervisor', who 'supervised' nothing and spent all her time BS'ing with her friends, started showing off by dumping on me. Quietly informed her that I did more work in ten minutes than she did in a week.

Within five minutes I was terminated.

While waiting for my 'pay & papers' I reflected upon the glaring absence of a second Gung Ho teamwork rally.

Worth every penny.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Learned a valuable lesson at a young age.

Having been expelled from two schools, (a terminal truant), I started work at a local laundry just before my fifteenth birthday.

Dickensian equipment, (I kept looking out for Mr. Bumble the beadle), and after a couple days decided to quit.

Called into the GM's office and subjected to a rousing "Rah, Rah, we're all pulling together" speech, and was convinced to stay on "As part of the team".

A day or so later the machine I was operating was temporarily out of items to press; went looking for 'fresh fuel' - none, nothing else I could occupy myself with, so stood by my machine awaiting refills.

Female 'supervisor', who 'supervised' nothing and spent all her time BS'ing with her friends, started showing off by dumping on me. Quietly informed her that I did more work in ten minutes than she did in a week.

Within five minutes I was terminated.

While waiting for my 'pay & papers' I reflected upon the glaring absence of a second Gung Ho teamwork rally.

Worth every penny.

While working at my local newspaper for 20 years, I encountered more than one charmer who got by on good looks and "ability" but very little work. When one specific person did file a story, you had to go over it with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it didn't have some embarrassing error or oversight.

I can recall a couple people getting axed when they got on management's list, generally because of repeated errors. The firings were done with documented support per union rules and, IIRC, negotiated cash settlements.

"Mr. Charm" was just as just as error-prone as the departed, but he made fewer mistakes because he produced almost nothing.

I worked at other places where more people were fired but the standards were much more consistent. I think staff morale there was generally higher because of the consistency.

 

[sengsational]

Yes!! I had a date and switched shifts with a guy. Who didn't show up. Next time I came to work they told me switching shifts was verboten (??) And fired me. I worked there maybe 2 months? And the date was a dud. I think I was 16 at the time

Yep. Got hired to work for someone who was pretty laid-back. When I started a month later, I had a new boss. She was a micro manager and I couldn't deal with it. Company announced a new location and asked for volunteers to move. I volunteered. They asked me why and I told them the truth. I think I told them that she was crazy and I couldn't work for her. Lesson learned for the rest of my working career. Telling the truth may not be in your best interests with your employer! Keep yo mouth shut!

Mine has elements of both of the above.

I don't count layoffs (less interesting), but fired "for cause" in a pre-professional job. It was a great lesson in keeping my mouth shut, and also don't trust that things will be fair.

I was at the grocery store for closing and things were fine. Worked 3 or 4 nights a week. I should have called in scared (I'm afraid I'm not going to make it tonight) but instead, several weeks before a musical gig, I told them "any night except this one". When the schedule came out, of course they put me on that night. I wish they had fired me when I told them I wasn't coming that night, but instead waited until I showed up for my shift the next night.

 

[Lienlord]

Oh, where to begin?
1.My first firing was a department store in High School. I caught Mono (the kissing disease!) and missed about a week of work (part time so no sick leave). When I finally felt well enough to return, I walked in and the manager said I didn't work there anymore! Oh? Ok, whatever.
Found a better job immediately!
2. Second firing was after college and a newlywed. I took a job selling life insurance, which I hated. The long days and long nights on sales calls took their toll, and my sales totals suffered. Every month they usually fired the person at the bottom of the sales board, and one month it was me.
Found a better job immediately!
3. Third firing I actually dispute. Had worked for a rental car company for 10 years, and was part of a large group that got laid off. I immediately filed for unemployment, but the company disputed it, saying I wasn't laid off but fired for cause. My UE was denied. Found a better job immediately!
4. Fourth and final firing. Happily worked as a budget manager for a large insurance company for 5 years. Was recruited to a position in HR (same company) by the HR director. (fyi...NEVER go to work in HR. Those folks are weird and evil!). All was well until the HR Director resigned due to dispute with the Sr VP of HR. Suddenly the Sr VP decided everything I was been doing was wrong, and said the HR Director made a mistake recruiting me. So I was asked to resign. Found a better job immediately!

I know it sounds like a lot, but honestly these incidents were small footnotes in my otherwise happy & successful 40yr career. I realize in hindsight I should have quit those jobs sooner, but feared the risk and loss of income. But each time I found a better opportunity, and can't bear the thought of still working for any of these companies and people. It made me realize a job is just renting my time/life to the highest bidder, and giving them control over it. The experiences were a big part in becoming debt free, then investing as much as possible to minimize the control anyone would ever have over me.
Now I'm more rich and more free than anyone else that ever had control over me!

TLDR...got fired many times, but still came out the winner! LOL

 

[Blue531]

Yes. I was fired basically for having a different vision for the company. The owner and I did not agree on some things that I thought were undermining my ability to run his company without issues, issues that I wasn't willing to tolerate anymore. He said "I don't think we can work together anymore, do you?" I said "No, not if you aren't willing to make some changes or allow me to make them." I think he was expecting me to blow up and be angry and I was relieved actually. I just turned to him and said "Thanks for doing me a favor." Then, I walked out. I had been wanting to quit for about 2 months, but was only staying for the money and the usual hesitancy to start over finding a new job.

 

[Exchme]

When I was 5 years out of school, I was transferred to a new city and new assignment. DW and I bought a house with our savings so there would be room for our baby daughter. After about a year, realized I did not fit in to the new role, right as the Company announced a round of layoffs. They told everyone the day before to go into their office at 9:30, stay off the phone and don't come out until 10 unless you get THE CALL.

So sat there nervous and sweating and at 9:45 the phone rings. OMG - heart pounding chest tight stomach churning - whole industry is in a downturn, I will never get another job! It was my wife - "did you get called?"

Never got the call, but lost a few years of my life just then.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Oh, where to begin? ...
TLDR...got fired many times, but still came out the winner! LOL

A former supervisor once told me, "You haven't had a career until you've been fired." If you're willing to try new paths, some may not work out.

When I was 5 years out of school, I was transferred to a new city and new assignment. DW and I bought a house with our savings so there would be room for our baby daughter. After about a year, realized I did not fit in to the new role, right as the Company announced a round of layoffs. They told everyone the day before to go into their office at 9:30, stay off the phone and don't come out until 10 unless you get THE CALL.

So sat there nervous and sweating and at 9:45 the phone rings. OMG - heart pounding chest tight stomach churning - whole industry is in a downturn, I will never get another job! It was my wife - "did you get called?"

Never got the call, but lost a few years of my life just then.

That strikes me as a really stupid way to announce layoffs. It shuts the company down while HR has its power trip, IMO.

We went through a series of staff cuts starting in 2008; the worst came in 2009, when something like 30% of people were laid off. Management spoke with individuals discreetly and encouraged them to take a severance that was offered. Most people saw the writing on the wall at that point.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Never got fired but I got laid once. Laid off, I mean - that was the term we always used. I was sick of that place and was very bored with not enough work to do, so it was obvious what was coming. I was unemployed for over a year, but once I got a new job in a different industry it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened. DW and I both had decent-paying jobs and we always made a point to budget on only one of our paychecks, so it wasn't the end of the world.

I fired several employers, though.