MetaChat - I just got fired!

for real? did something happen?

that sucks

posted by amberglow 14 March | 16:25

I did not do bad work, I did not fuck around on the computer, I did not assualt or harass anyone. Unlike one of my co-workers, who's still there right now.

Oh well. I've never worked anywhere before where I've been treated like such shit. Anyone know of any jobs in Lawrence, Kansas?

posted by interrobang 14 March | 16:26

Sorry to hear it, man. Hope you find a new (better) job soon.

posted by weretable and the undead chairs 14 March | 16:26

wheat farmer?

(seriously, that sucks, man. sorry to hear it.)

posted by jonmc 14 March | 16:27

Whoa!

Sounds like you are better off without them. Ugh.

Hope this turns into a positive for you -- that you stumble upon something a lot more wonderful to do.

posted by Miko 14 March | 16:28

So sorry. Could be $$$$ related, cost cutting. Secure a recommendation from a superior. Good Luck.

posted by rainbaby 14 March | 16:30

Ack! Is that even legal? WTF?

posted by taz 14 March | 16:30

That sucks, man. They sound like their crania are filled with fecal matter.

posted by matildaben 14 March | 16:35

Jerkoffs! You're better off gone.

posted by Capn 14 March | 16:35

Is that even legal?

Yeah, it is, as long as he was employed at-will and didn't have a formal employment contract.

Sorry about the job, interrobang, but sometimes these things turn out to be blessings in disguise.

posted by amro 14 March | 16:35

i wonder why tho--it's so weird not to give some reason, even if it's a lie

ok--what do you do?

posted by amberglow 14 March | 16:40

That sucks. : ( I am sorry to hear it.

posted by sisterhavana 14 March | 16:41

Man, how shitty. I'm sure it will turn out better in the end, but it still sucks. Keep on keepin' on.

posted by omiewise 14 March | 16:42

Sorry about the job, interrobang, but sometimes these things turn out to be blessings in disguise.

I sure hope so; I have a suspicion that this has to do with this new asshole who's started working in my area, who's been after my job--he's been slandering people left and right, trying to "get ahead". Only the funny thing is, I didn't get paid any more than he does, and I had more work to do.

Oh, and I just got a call from my best friend--he got fired, too. I think we got identified as troublemakers, or something.

posted by interrobang 14 March | 16:43

your friend worked in the same place?

posted by amberglow 14 March | 16:46

Yes--he used to be a proofreader, too, but moved into a better job. What the fuck?

posted by interrobang 14 March | 16:47

(They wouldn't give him a reason, either.)

posted by interrobang 14 March | 16:48

Same well, same poison? Same poisoner?

(Sorry to hear you got fired. I hope it turns into a blessing. Good luck. To your friend too.)

posted by Hugh Janus 14 March | 16:50

Shit dawgs, 'bang! Sorry to hear it, but I'll bet something worlds better comes right along. You didn't seem particularly happy there, iirc.

posted by Frisbee Girl 14 March | 16:50

So, what do you tell prospective employers when you were fired from your last job? Since they didn't tell me why they fired me, is it okay to tell the next people that I was "downsized", or what?

posted by interrobang 14 March | 16:53

Fuckin' hell! Sorry to hear about this.

posted by selfnoise 14 March | 16:55

IIRC, your employer was an asshat of olympian quality, treating you and everyone else worse than dogshit.

I hope you land on your feet. You deserve better.

posted by Five Fresh Fish 14 March | 16:57

yup--you can tell them anything you want--by law, employers are only supposed to verify employment length, salary and position held (unless you broke the law or something, i think).

posted by amberglow 14 March | 16:57

WTF? >=(

posted by Eideteker 14 March | 16:58

This just means that better things are in the works, and you had to be freed up to get ready for them. Seriously.

Did you actually get fired or laid off?

Sounds like they're sucky management and you didn't want to work there anyway.

Hang in there, honey.

posted by Specklet 14 March | 16:58

jesus christ dude, that's terrible.

posted by dodgygeezer 14 March | 16:58

tell them budget cuts, or a loss of funding, or something like that.

posted by amberglow 14 March | 16:58

Man, bang, that really sucks. But, like everyone else said, it's probably a good thing. Even though it sucks.

posted by mudpuppie 14 March | 16:59

Dude, I'll come out there and beat some folks down. If its just an aimless drifter they can't pin it on you.

I'll take pics.

posted by sciurus 14 March | 17:03

That sucks. I've been through it and it sucks.

IME: Unless you were specifically given at least one written citation for an infraction of workplace policy, you were not fired, you were laid off. That goes for at-will states as well as not-at-will states. (IANASHRP - I am not a soulless HR parasite)

There is nothing perjorative about having been laid off, so don't sweat it. (lord knows that employers never do...)

posted by Triode 14 March | 17:11

It probably is a good thing... still, WTF? Obviously they have some particular purpose/reason/excuse; not even giving you the courtesy of the barest reason is bizarre.

posted by taz 14 March | 17:12

Fucked up. Sorry, interrobang :(

posted by mike9322 14 March | 17:30

Unemployment insurance?

posted by warbaby 14 March | 17:31

That's messed up, bang. Hope something much better comes along soon.

posted by gaspode 14 March | 17:40

I'd definitely file for unemployment and hire a lawyer that works on a contingency-fee basis. My father has to deal with that shit all the time and it's awful (he runs a telemarketing company and turn-over is very high).

posted by mullacc 14 March | 17:51

Totally file for unemployment. As long as they didn't give you any specific reason for firing you, you're eligible. My friend got fired for no apparent reason a few months back and she got unemployment. I got "fired" for "budget cuts" last summer, and life was good for the next few months until the unemployment ran out. I'm sorry, man. It sucks totally but, on the other hand, welcome to the peaceful relaxing world of the unemployed, which, it must be said, has it's points.

posted by mygothlaundry 14 March | 17:56

Again another voice for filing for unemployment. And if it's denied, appeal that shit (in California, I quit a job for the promise of one that ended up never materializing; my initial unemployment claim was denied, but I appealed and won. Then my fucking ex-employer appealed the appeal which I won AGAIN, and then they quit because then they would have had to sue me in civil court) because it's totally worth the time and effort if you lose your employment through no fault of your own.

Plus, your ex-employer's unemployment insurance payments will go up ;-)

posted by WolfDaddy 14 March | 18:20

runs a telemarketing company

what's his number?

posted by quonsar 14 March | 18:40

I really hope you get a better explanation at some point, interrobang. I hate to say it, but my gut reaction was to think of the kid in school that failed a class because the teacher/professor "hated" him.

posted by mullacc 14 March | 18:42

quonsar: 1-800-222-0300

posted by mullacc 14 March | 18:45

What's the address? I've got some eggs...
Seriously, that's fucked!

posted by pieisexactlythree 14 March | 18:52

No reason? Bozos. As others have said, it's probably just as well. You'll find something better!

posted by deborah 14 March | 18:55

fuck. sorry to hear it, 'bang. went through it not long ago, too, and yeah... definitely a blessing in disguise! keep us posted on anything we can do to help.

posted by moonbird 14 March | 19:06

Man, that is teh suck. Something new will come up, though! Chin up, stiff upper lip!

posted by ooga_booga 14 March | 19:11

wow, that sucks, interrobang. Hang in there...

posted by dhruva 14 March | 19:24

That sucks, the troublemakers tend to be my best friends in the office. Sorry you got canned though, I hope you took the opportunity to smash something.

posted by fenriq 14 March | 19:25

Bummer, interrobang. Keep us posted, OK?

posted by jrossi4r 14 March | 21:04

Holy fartknockers, what assholes. If I were there I'd buy you a beer or five. Like others said, I'd hit unemployment too. What idiots! The karma bank has a reeeeallly good memory.

That is crappier than the crappiest place I ever worked - stayed for 5 years like a moron and got ONE raise the whole time of $0.50 hour. I got so mad at one of the owners once I called him a goddamn knowitall fuckup goiter brain constipation factory. I was way across the room though, so he didn't hear me. The dude sitting next to me thought it was hilarious.

posted by chewatadistance 14 March | 21:15

I went through this a couple of years ago. I'm sorry to hear it. Definitely file at the employment office as soon as you can. And take a tip from someone who didn't: let them withhold taxes from your checks. Ouch. Good luck. Take good care of yourself. Those are stressful times.

posted by rebirtha 15 March | 01:29

"...you can tell them anything you want--by law, employers are only supposed to verify employment length..."

Yes, but those who care have found ways to imply whether you were fired or left in good standing.

About unemployment...I'm sure most already know this, but you can't get it if you were fired and unemployment claims cost companies significant money: many will fight every one of them. And different states are differently favorable.

posted by kmellis 15 March | 01:59

Thanks for the sympathy, everyone. I'll keep you guys updated.

I'm going to try going for the unemployment, but as kmellis pointed out, it's still uncertain.

posted by interrobang 15 March | 02:43

"...you can tell them anything you want--by law, employers are only supposed to verify employment length..."

Yes, but those who care have found ways to imply whether you were fired or left in good standing.

I once saw a reference that said the employee had left the company the same way he had arrived "...fired with enthusiasm"

posted by essexjan 15 March | 04:12

interrobang, I just got fired a few weeks back. At least here in Seattle the job market seems to be off the hook. They're hiring like crazy up here. Check monster.com and post a resume there if you haven't already, I was contacted by recruiters within something like five days after posting.
The reason I was fired was very similar to yours: 'We don't want you here anymore' thang. Basically I did good work quickly and it made the old hands look bad, so therefore, no soup for you. . .
Now I've been offered a position at a company where I would be making close to what I was making after seven years employment at a job I had awhile back. Provided the credit check goes through *whimper*. I talked to the recruiter though and he said not to worry about it, so I will worry about it even more. Still though, I've got about two months 'emergency money' socked away. The company I was at was so bad I've never had greater incentive to save so I could quit. Apparently many others there felt the same way. I've never seen so many upper management, middle management and entry level people jumping over the side in any job I've worked in. Truly repulsive. Since I've left so have four more. And it's not a big company. . .

posted by mk1gti 15 March | 12:27

I'll try that, mk1gti.

Well, I did the online application for unemployment. We'll see what happens....

posted by interrobang 15 March | 12:46

Also, log into your monster.com account once a week and update your resume. By that I mean erase a contact phone number, save, go back in then re-enter it. It will help to move your resume up in employer's search rankings.
I saw the part about the 'glad handing untrustworthy goober' that you had working at your previous employer, I had a similar problem with my employer, real suck-up individual who would treat everyone else on the team like crap, then suck up to management. Believe me, good things are going to come from all this, wait and see. I'll bet you a beer or two you'll be gainfully employed within two weeks.

posted by mk1gti 15 March | 13:15

Ouch, that sucks. To fire you for cause, they probably have to specify the cause. So you should get unemployment. So say I, Not A Lawyer, although I've watched plenty of LA Law in my time, let me tell you.

posted by theora55 15 March | 17:15

14 March 2006