A Pity Me Post - I may lose my job

[donheld]

It seems i made some mistakes on Wednesday that may cost me my job. Management seems to be stringing me along with an answer. I've never been so petrified. :scared:

[iconoclastic cat]

1. That sucks!

Sorry about that. It'll work out, though. Make yourself feel better by putting out your resume and doing some job hunting.

[XanaDUer]

3. I second that

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst is my motto.

Best of luck and no matter what happens, you will survive.

[brainshrub]

2. In the same boat buddy.

I screwed up BIG TIME last week. The project I was working on ends this week... I'm pretty sure they will fire me when it's done. It's a shame because I really liked this job.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Is there some way you can repair the mistake?

Can you be up front with your boss.. and say you would like to try to make up for it?
On the otehr hand, if you can lose this job over one mistake, would you be better off shining up your resume and finding a job that you might enjoy more? Perhaps this is a sign from the univrese that it is time to move on to something better.

[XanaDUer]

5. Right.

It's a lot easier to have someone repair a mistake than to fire and rehire someone new.

[donheld]

7. I think it is a sign

I'm tired of the pressure of this job. I also feel like I'm working for the political enemy so that makes me kinda want out anyway. But i tend to be a big worrier. I've got people who can help me with a resume.

[I Have A Dream]

6. So sorry to hear it -- we'll be here for you. (nt)

[valis]

8. Was it due to laziness? If not, argue with them.

[gmoney]

9. They probably would have done it Friday.

Friday is generally the day for firing people, because it reduces the chance of "unpleasantness" somehow. But maybe they're getting ducks aligned for this Friday.

That said, if you still feel endangered, quietly get your personal stuff out of your workspace, personal files off your computer if you have one, and start stocking up on office supplies. :) There's a good chance that if you're fired, you'll be asked to clear your desk immediately, or it may be done for you. I quit a job once and had to clear out that day, and ended up losing a lot of books I'd purchased because they appeared to be "company books".

Another thing to consider is writing your own reference letter. Leave the "mistake" incident out of it, but put it in general terms that "Since he was hired in ____, Donheld has been a good employee, and is conscientious and has demonstrated these abilities..." etc. Mention achievements, promotions, projects, without getting too bogged down. If you do get sacked, tell the boss you'd like his signature on the recommendation and odds are you'll get it, even if you're being fired for these errors.

Some employers are still scared of litigation, so will do certain things if it will help reduce the likelihood that you'll be suing them. Might even be worth asking if you can get your severance package if you "resign" instead of forcing them to fire you.

Also, if there are people you want to keep in touch with, consider doing little cards with your home phone and e-mail on them and give them to those folks.

Hope you're not really in danger... maybe this stress will be punishment enough.

[donheld]

10. That sounds real good

If they measure my accomplishments to my mistakes i'd win this one. Believe me the stress is punishment big time.

Thank you all for your support.

We lost one employee a week ago friday, probably to suicide, so our dept has had it's share of grief.

[amazona]

11. if he resigns he loses his unemployment insurance!

Why not just tell the poor man to shoot himself now?

It's far better to be fired than to resign. At least he he has a pittance of an income while job-seeking.

[donheld]

12. That was my thought too.

I can't afford to lose too much.

[gmoney]

13. Sorry... my bad. Feel free to shoot me now.

...I'm just the guy who lost the hose.

[donheld]

15. I will not shoot you

I'll take all the help i can get. You were trying and i appreciate it.

[Left Is Write]

14. I'm sorry. I hope the situation can be fixed somehow.

[nuxvomica]

16. I've been there myself

I did something years ago that put operations out of business for several hours. People in management demanded my firing but my supervisor talked them out of it because I was such a valuable employee otherwise. I hope your managers are as cool-headed about this -- hopefully they had a relaxing weekend. The more time they have to think about this, the more long term will be their thinking and it sounds like that favors you. :thumbsup:

[donheld]

17. It's really hard sitting here at work

Thinking i maybe let go tomorrow. I don't want to get impatient but I am going :crazy: If they are going to let me go i wish they'd get it over with.