I just found out I was fired.

[undeterred]

I'm in IT and my account is turned off. I've been afraid of this for weeks, knowing my manager was stabbing me in the back. I talked to HR and they assured me that they would not let him do something like this, that they don't let managers just up and fire people. She told me that on wednesday. Said I would have a review very soon. Late today I found a sticky note on my supervisors desk with my name on it saying Domain Acct 4:30 (he had gone home to do the dirty work so he wouldn't have to face me). I came home and my accounts were off. Nobody gave me a word of explanation. They lied and lied and lied and lied and lied and lied and lied. All of them. I hate corporations and the lying sons of bitches who run them, and the sick people who work for them who helped my manager stab me in the back.

And you want to know what else? Asshole manager invited me to lunch today, but I turned him down.

I have a half dozen knives in my back right now and one of them is from someone I thought was a friend.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[SPKrazy]

1. Damn Them!

that sucks undeterred. I know you were fearing this and even expecting this. Sounds like manager was a cowardly bastid.
Did they at least clean your desk out?

Or are you supposed to pick it up?

I know that when I've had to fire someone, we had to tell them face to face, and watch them empty their desk. Really not my favorite thing to do at all. But not chicken shit like just turning off your accounts and not telling you.

I'm sorry friend, you'll end up better I think and hopefully get out of corporatocracy world.

:hug:

[undeterred]

3. Admittedly I left early

but the weather here is terrible. Nobody scheduled an appointment with me, which is what they should have done if they wanted me to be here.

Honestly, after I saw the sticky note and my super did not return my phone calls I had a really bad feeling. But I've had a really bad feeling several other times and it turned out ok.

No communication at all. And remember, the HR lady told me they didn't do things like this.

[SPKrazy]

17. Yes I Remember

the HR lady was full of shit

that truly sucks

:hug:

relax, you're better off without them dirty bastids!

:shrug:

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

21. Remember always that whatever HR says, they represent MANAGEMENT -- NOT you, the employee.

I could tell you dozens of stories like this. Sorry, but this is so similar to the way most companies do business nowadays. This has happened to me several times in my long career. It will take some time for you to digest what has happened.

Just move as quickly as you can to your local Division of Employment Security (the unemployment office) and file a claim -- do it Monday morning, since you were fired on a Friday.

Keep your head as clear as possible for looking for the better job that WILL come along.

You should, of course, return for any personal effects that were left in your office. Also, if you have health insurance, be sure to get COBRA papers.

I'm sorry for your pain, and for the ugly way that corporations work. It is truly a sick way to work with people, but, as I was reminded once by a litigation lawyer, "You are their employee AT (THEIR) WILL."

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear undeterred............

How horrifying.......I am so sorry!

Those dirty bastards....... :nuke:

I hope you'll find something else much better, and quickly too...:hug:

[graywarrior]

4. Well that sucks.

Want us to show up and beat the crap out of them?

[Bassic]

5. Guilt trip the son of a bitch.

I know this sucks balls, I've seen this happen. I know it's not much but at least you know that this so-called friend has to live with himself. I'd send him an e-greeting card thanking him for the wonderful kives you found in your back, just to drive the point home. After this small revenge (it's petty, but it helps alleviate the frustration), you can start driving your energies elsewhere.

Don't know if that helps, but it always worked for me.

[undeterred]

6. I just sent him a blank email with the subject line

Coward.

He thinks of himself as the protector of women, so let him suck on that for a while- he's the one who turned my account off and didn't return my calls and left early.

[Bassic]

7. Well played,

That should hit home, if there is a home to hit. :)

[Cobalt-60]

10. draining the oil from their car is better

Just make sure they can see the pool of oil when they get in.
That gives them the chance to save their engine with only moderate inconvenience.

[undeterred]

11. Lives way too far.

Thank God I'll never have to drive 50 miles to work again.

[Radio_Lady]

26. See my post about how you can claim your benefits!

Post number 24...

PM me if you have any questions.

When the dust clears, you might try getting into a job support group with others who are looking for work. The Employment Office might have information on that.

When I was "fired" in 1992, after almost ten years of employment, I became very despondent. Luckily, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts had a job support and re-training class -- I went four days a week. They helped me re-do my resume, learn how to interview (using a video camera), and got me several very good leads. I was soon re-employed.

[Bassic]

16. Also a good idea, but the ill effects don't last as long.

A good guilt trip can go a long way.

[LibraLiz1973]

8. Scare the shit out of them

And tell them your calling the labor relations board.
Also tell them you have contacted an attorney for wrongful termination.


There is NOTHING supervisors hate more than feeling like their world is about to be rocked.

[undeterred]

9. I'm not in a union

and I don't know how to do either. So if anyone does, please let me know.

[LibraLiz1973]

19. You can definately say you are going to file

Wrongful Termination suit. If the manager was a man and you are a woman, you can also throw out there that you are going to look into sexual harrasment charges, since his word was clearly taken over yours.

[Radio_Lady]

23. Once you are not employed by that company, you should NOT harass anyone there.

No slitting of their tires, angry threatening emails or letters, going to the office to "tell them off", etc. etc. All of these actions can just come back to haunt you. Anything you do from now on will be seen as retaliatory. That would just work against you in a court of law.

Sorry to say the employer has the upper hand in these matters.

The most you should do is call a lawyer who specializes in employment law and talk to him/her for NO CHARGE (many lawyers will do this.) Do NOT pay a lawyer anything because it will probably not help you.

[idgiehkt]

12. I am so sorry to hear this

I know you have been worried about this for a while. I know there is something better out there for you but the in-between part is always hard. When I got fired from a job 15 years ago I went to the Employment Security Commission in my town and talked to a counselor there and they helped me feel a lot better about it...they can probably also answer any questions about legal recourse. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[undeterred]

13. How do I find out where to go?

[idgiehkt]

15. they are in the phone book

every town has an ESC, it might be listed under local government or something.

[Radio_Lady]

24. Undeterred, here is the information on applying for unemployment compensation in your state.

http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/uiben/apply.htm

Looks like you can do it all on-line. Do it on MONDAY... the first day after the day you were released from work.

[undeterred]

28. thank you

[Magrittes Pipe]

14. I'm sorry. That's terribly shitty of them.

You and I don't share a boss, do we?

[ikojo]

18. Wow! That sucks!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[u4ic]

20. I'm so sorry, undeterred

They didn't deserve you - which still doesn't help the feelings you have now.

I hope something much better for you comes along very soon. :grouphug:

[NoPasaran]

22. Fuck those bastards!

[MonkeyFunk]

25. umm...

it doesn't sound like you WERE terminated.

If nobody told you you were fired, you weren't fired.

[undeterred]

30. then WHAT the HELL?

I always bring my laptop home and work on the weekends. I promised one guy I would be defragmenting his computer tonight, and I am locked out, by my supervisor. There is no way this is an accident, its deliberate. And my supervisor won't fucking return my phone calls. He left at 11am but was supposed to be available by phone if I needed him, which I did. He must have gotten the request to turn my account off (that I saw on the sticky note) this morning. But I did need him and I called his home phone and his cell phone at least 4 times before I left. Part of the reason I left early is because there was stuff I couldn't do without an answer from him and he wasn't calling me back. Well, he is a scaredy boy and feels guilty. So I'd say I'm fired, even if they forgot to actually do it. These people are unprofessional fucking idiots.

[Scarlett17]

32. That's a good point. . .

could they be setting you up to "no show" on Monday? If you haven't been officially fired and you don't report for work, that would give them legitimate grounds to fire you. Maybe you should go to work on Monday as usual and force them to make a definitive move.

[undeterred]

35. So its a mind fuck

In which case my supervisor not calling me back is just part of the game, the most infuriating part.

[philosophie_en_rose]

37. Right.

And if you voluntarily quit, there might be an issue with claiming unemployment benefits.

I'd contact HR. Is there a grievance policy at your workplace? Either you were terminated in a completely unprofessional manner or you need some intervention to deal with your boss' behavior.

In the mean time, I wouldn't send any more emails.

[Scarlett17]

39. I wouldn't call HR. I would go to work as usual on Monday.

Until you're actually fired, you're not fired.

[philosophie_en_rose]

41. You're right. They have to pay for work hours, until they fire.

But documenting everything and looking for a better job are still good options.

[Scarlett17]

43. Hell yeah. Documentation is the new "union".

It's the only backup you have.

[YDogg]

64. That's what I'd do, too.

If they didn't give you anything in writing, they haven't fired you. What if their network is just on the blink, and your accounts don't work because of network problems. Just a thought.

[Scarlett17]

38. I work in big-corporate-america too and I wouldn't assume anything.

I live in fear for my job, too. Let me tell you--they will have to inform me verbally and written in triplicate with 2 witnesses before I'd pack my desk and go. I will not do them any favors by going quietly and saving them the trouble of dealing with me. If they want to get rid of me they'll have to sack up and actually do it.

[area51]

27. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

:hug:

[Wcross]

29. What you have now is a great opportunity.

Find a job you love rather than a prison you lock yourself in for 40 hours a week just to make money. It may seem like a big deal right now but in a year it will be just a memory. I work for a big old corporation and I feel like I am in some kind of servitude. It's as if I have sold my soul for a paycheck. I HATE corporations too!
You will come out better for this, trust me.

[undeterred]

31. Thank you

There were some things I hated about it and some things I loved. Its always a mix. One of the things I really did like was my supervisor, and now that he's stabbed me in the back I guess it makes it easier to hate the whole thing.

[Radio_Lady]

34. Here's a good thing to say to yourself. "It's not that it (the job) was wrong,

it's just that it is no longer right."

Don't waste your time on anger, revenge, lashing out, speaking ill of the company.
These just use up your energy. People get fired all the time, everywhere. It's a heavy blow, but you will recover.

Luckily, the company that fired me in 1992 had to give me a $43,000 lump sum pension payment when I turned 65 in 2004. That made me feel pretty good!

By the way, did they offer you any kind of severance? Do you happen to have money in any savings or IRA plan with them? Did you sign final papers giving them back their keys, ID card, etc.? Did you have to go to an exit interview so you could understand your benefits now that they don't employ you?

These are all important things. I wish you well in your new life.

[ThomCat]

33. I hope you quickly find yourself in a much better place

with much better bosses and coworkers, and in a much more positive atmosphere.

[philosophie_en_rose]

36. Are you sure you were fired?

Maybe a technical glitch that turned your accounts off? Maybe?

Probably not. :( But you're probably better off in the long run for not having to work with those people.

My only advice to you is to document everything. If you have saved any emails, print them off. If you have a letter of termination (which they must give upon demand in Washington - not sure about where you live), then keep it ready.

Maybe try calling a lawyer who will interview you for free. Keep calling around and don't just take one attorney's refusal to mean anything. Different lawyers will see different claims.

But the best places to go are probably your local unemployment office or an EEOC office. If you were fired, then you'll probably qualify for unemployment benefits. The EEOC may or may not cover your employer, but they may be able to help you understand whether you have a claim. From your post, I don't see one, but that's only an internet opinion.

:loveya: Sending you good vibes in the new job search.

[undeterred]

40. Not a technical glitch

A supervisor who won't return my phone calls. Which is infuriating. Why can't they just tell me?

[philosophie_en_rose]

42. The supervisor is probably trying to get you to quit.

Then he can say he had a personal emergency or some other reason to not contact you, but that you took it the wrong way and quit.

The note might just mean "I had to turn off this account for some reason." or at least that's what he might say to you.

If you go to work on Monday, stow some boxes in your trunk to take your personal effects home if you need to. However, you might want to not assume anything - just in case this is just a mind fuck and not a termination.

You're not fired until you're fired. And they have to pay you for working on Monday, if you work. If you're not fired, how are you supposed to know to not work?

[undeterred]

44. I am quite sure he wouldn't fuck with me unless someone else made

him do this. But he is too cowardly to return my calls and tell me whats going on. These people are making me crazy. I have to get away from this.

[Scarlett17]

45. By all means, update your resume this weekend. . .

but in the meantime, don't do their job for them. Go to work Monday. I don't know about Wisconsin, but in Michigan if you are fired for cause (i.e. no showing for work) you do not get unemployment benefits.

[philosophie_en_rose]

65. But you are getting away from this.

Believe me, I've quit some otherwise great jobs because of toxic work environments. But it is liberating to decide to quit on your own terms. Do not hide away.

You are leaving this. Even if you stay for a few days or weeks, you're still on the path to freedom from that place. I know it's hard, but I'm sure there is a better workplace out there.

As Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsy said in David Copperfield, "Meet your reverses boldy." Be assertive. Give yourself permission to be upset or sad or stressed, but realize that you're almost done.

And when you are done with them, they have to live with their unprofessionalism and pettiness.

[Connonym]

52. I agree, you're not fired until you're specifically told so

Just in case, I think you should show up on your next schedule day. Don't let their head games jeopardize your unemployment benefits. Besides, if they are messing with you, you showing up Monday and forcing them to deal with it will be way more uncomfortable for them than you. :hug: Sounds like a really hostile work environment and leaving it is probably the best thing but try not to let them screw you over any further. Don't play their game. I wish you the best.

[donheld]

46. Aw soo sorry!

:hug:

[wildhorses]

47. sorry this happened...hope you can springboard into something

better:hug:

[Callalily]

48. What a mess!

It appears that you are in a state of limbo. Not actually knowing if you're employed! How utterly unprofessional of your HR department. Ours is not much better, but as least they have the courtesy to let people know that their job have been terminated.

Although revenge may feel good now, please don't do anything foolish and burn any bridges.

Wishing you the best and pray that you find employment that is fulfilling and challenging and employers that are honest and caring, or at least ethical.

[undeterred]

49. thanks

As soon as this new manager was hired and he started acting like Commander Napoleon towards me I knew that no matter what I did, things would be rough. I have no idea why companies let managers get away with crap like this. But they don't see how incompetent he is, so they deserve him and the results of all his bad decisions, which will be infinitely worse than anything I could come up with. I truly don't want to have anything to do with him so there is nothing to fight for.

[Callalily]

50. It doesn't sound

like a healthy place to work. No one should be treated as you were. Please use all your energies to seek better employment. I'm pulling for you and good luck!

[mtnester]

51. You ARE going in Monday aren't you?

The advise given to you about the "fired" technicality is all true. If you have not been officially let go, via verbal or written notification, a Monday no show is just cause, and costs you your right to unemployment benefits.

Are you?

[undeterred]

53. I will probably call in sick.

Takes 3 days of not showing up to qualify as job abandonment.

[Radio_Lady]

58. No good. Steel yourself and go to work. Do you have personal items at your desk to recover?

Just go in as if nothing had happened on Friday. Start packing up your stuff, or just do busy work.

You will get some reaction (they may not let you enter the building) but you STILL need that to PROVE that you have been fired and NOT QUIT. Staying at home and calling in sick are not good options.

My husband and I have been through this process several times in our work lives. The emotional roller coaster is terrible, but you will survive and be better for it. Unemployment benefits as well as possibly health insurance benefits are due to you by law and you MUST be able to know what the circumstances of this termination are. They are supposed to give you some kind of an EXIT INTERVIEW to explain all of this to you. I only had this happen once by telephone (at a temporary job I'd been working for just a few weeks) and even then, I went to the employer to gather my personal items.

Every other time, there was paperwork to complete, severance and accrued vacation pay and health benefits explained. Is this a tiny company with only a few workers -- or a big company?

[undeterred]

61. I have been bringing stuff home for a couple of weeks

and there are only 3 books left there that I don't really care about. I have their laptop. There are 350 people at this company.

I've been laid off twice before from companies that I worked for when the headquarters were in other states - jobs where there was just a staff reduction, nothing bad. They made a short phone call to notify me and everything else was done through the mail or over the phone with the various departments. They gave me a fedex number to return the laptop and cell phone.

I am honestly so emotionally distressed that it has been becoming more and more difficult for me to get through the day and even just to make the drive for the last 3 weeks. Its 106 miles round trip on the interstate, and lately its 106 miles in snow with lots of accidents and I'm in tears most of the way.

My mental, physical, and emotional health have to start coming first. Through this whole ordeal not one person from the company has treated me with the respect due to a human being.

[mtnester]

67. You can put all your healths right up there at the top, but you really MUST

give them the opportunity to formally let you go. Suck it up, go in Monday as if nothing has happened. If they refuse you admittance, then inquire WHY. I figure you will be escorted directly to HR anyway....THEN you get the formal reason....and also he explanation of benefits, COBRA options (if they apply) etc.

Why, if these people have treated you like a toad, would you EVER let them off the hook this way? Your mental/emotional and physical health will be easer to attend to if you don't cut off your ability to collect unemployment benefits while you look for another job. Don't let your disappointment cloud or affect your ability to either defend yourself or provide for yourself...please.

[Radio_Lady]

69. Also, don't you have to return their laptop computer? To do otherwise could be construed as theft.

I'm sure you're going through hell this weekend.

I wish I could more than offer my opinions.

If you want to talk more, please PM me.

[cwydro]

54. A lot of good advice here

and I agree, I think you should go in on Monday. YOU be professional even if they aren't. No more emails.

[Radio_Lady]

56. Undeterred, you should speak with an employment counselor immediately at

the telephone number I gave you -- first thing on Monday. Go to work as usual if you ARE NOT SURE THEY TERMINATED YOU. You have to have a separation package or agreement. How long were you there? Do you have vacation pay or severance pay or a check for either (or both)?

You must corroborate that you really were fired. If that means going into work, then do it.

I know it's a long way to drive, but you cannot just abandon your job if your computer account is turned off.

Nobody spoke to you on Friday and told you that you were terminated?

You decided not to meet with HR or your boss? This sounds like YOU QUIT!

It's important to have an exit interview all documented.

Good luck and let us hear from you.

[idgiehkt]

66. I agree with this

thanks radio lady it is good advice for anyone. More than likely a company in this position would of course be trying to convince someone to quit.

[Radio_Lady]

70. One of my jobs kept reviewing me every three months, and the reviews started to get worse and worse.

It was a job I had held for almost ten years! I redoubled my efforts to work harder and put in more hours, even though I was doing as well as anyone else in my opinion. Finally, my former manager said to me, "If I were you, I would leave this company. You are never going to get any further than you are now, and frankly, there are people here who don't like you." End of discussion.

I struggled on for several months, but became very despondent. Eventually my doctor suggested I go on to short-term disability (I was totally fried mentally after being pummeled for more than a year). That lasted for a couple of months while I got some psychological help. Then, one day, I took what was supposed to be a psychological test for long term disability. I failed that test (guess why -- it was a company paid doctor!). To make a long story short, the HR manager flew from NY to Boston, and she and my manager claimed my job no longer existed; so it was a "reduction in force" (RIF) termination. Then, I was given ONE DAY to resign with severance pay or be FIRED with no severance. A local employment lawyer said this was the standard procedure for large companies, and that he even had a man going through the same thing who was in another division of the same company! Besides that, Digital Equipment Company in Massachusetts was doing layoffs left and right, so I had a lot of company among the "newly unemployed."

I qualified for a job retraining program, and went to other support groups, and they helped quite a bit. I also was able to draw unemployment insurance, even though they essentially fired me. I think there was one week at the beginning of the claim -- a waiting week -- but then I drew the money for quite a number of weeks. I've held some other jobs since then, but none lasted as long as this one did.

My pension wasn't as large as I had planned, but I did get a lump sum of $43,000 when I turned 65 years old. My start date was 11/01/83 and the job was officially over on 3/30/92.

I had no problems with employment references.

[applegrove]

55. Sorry.

[bridgit]

57. that fully blows, i wouldn't even put them on your resume if i were you...

just start talking right around, or over the top of them...assholes!!

[Radio_Lady]

59. Bridgit, your advice is not good, especially if there was a long period of employment!

Those decisions (how to re-write your resume) are better served by reading books on the subject and getting someone who knows how to do chronological resumes to help you write one.

Cutting out parts of your employment history can backfire seriously, especially in this information age, and especially with your place of last employment. Usually, you can get HR in your last company to at least confirm that you worked there. Most of the time, former companies have a policy of NOT providing anything else (reasons why you quit or were fired)! A person needs to know what the company will say if you provide someone there as a reference!!!!

If you leave the job off completely, people may even suspect the person has been in prison!

[bridgit]

60. hyperbole, when writing a resume in 'historical form' you are able to refer...

to experience without mentioning certain & specific employers...research that; cause it's been working for me just fine

[Radio_Lady]

68. I am familiar with all kinds of resumes. Eventually, most employers want chronological information.

Functional resumes have their place, I agree... however...

The question, "Who was your last employer?" usually needs to be answered factually. The Division of Employment Security (the "unemployment office") is the first point of departure. They can usually figure out what the employer would say if queried.

Anyway, Bridgit, I think we've gone beyond the immediate information that this poster needs at this time. Thank you for your comments.

Good night and good luck.

[bridgit]

72. disagreed...

[BarenakedLady]

62. How awful...

I'm so sorry. :hug:

[undeterred]

63. thank you

[Kajsa]

71. That's awful!

Undeterred, your feelings of betrayal are well
justified.

I hope their actions come back to bite them in
the butt.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

:(

[undeterred]

74. thank you for your support

Its a manufacturing plant. Very difficult to support and get used to.

I know of one other person who was already applying for other jobs.

I expect that my supervisor, who spent a year training me, only to have someone else make the decision that he has to start over with someone new for the fifth time in 4 years, is probably going to look for a new job.

And a third person has a spouse who is looking for jobs in warmer climates.

That only leaves the lowest person on the totem pole and the manager. :shrug:

[Radio_Lady]

75. Undeterred, you have the best screen name! You should step undeterred --

into your own future.

Go to work Monday and just be civil. Can you bring someone with you -- friend, family, significant other, neighbor -- even just to help you get there in difficult weather? That will help you on your long drive.

Please be safe.

In peace,

Radio Lady in Oregon

--

[MissB]

73. I really hope you're planning on following the advice

of those who say you should show up for work on Monday. Not doing so makes it look like you quit, rather than got fired. This could make a difference on whether or not you get unemployment.

You may need unemployment benefits.

[Connonym]

76. I hope you'll let us know what happens tomorrow

I was thinking about you and this situation today and want to wish you well. :hug: Hang in there.

[silverlib]

77. Call the IT help desk and report that you are unable to access

your computer files. Leave a voice mail this weekend. Then by golly show up and see what happens.

If you make the call, they will know you are coming in and that you are not assuming you were fired.

Okay - that was worth exactly what you paid. Best to you which ever way this goes.

[The_Casual_Observer]

78. Sounds like you would be better off anyway. Find a different place.

[Lethe]

79. if they fire you without warning that is excellent case for unemployment

it is their responsibility to tell you what is going on, and how you can work together to resolve any problems.

From what i've seen in the past, the abrupt termination without warning is more common to programmers and IT, because they are in a position to seriously fuck up something when becoming disgruntled.

[cwydro]

80. So what happened today?

has anyone heard anything? Undeterred, are you out there???

[Radio_Lady]

81. My question, too. I'm thinking about 'Undeterred' here at lunch time. Hope everything is OK.

[cwydro]

82. Yeah, I thought about her on the way to work this morning

wondering what she was going to do. It would be a very hard thing to go into that job today...I did not envy her at all.