NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: GUEST,DocJohn
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 09:27 PM

it's not the end of the world. It's the beginning of a new life. It will be tough at times. But it will be better.

Uusally, when one calls for references, now days the only question that can be answered without opening yourself up for suit is "is this person eligible for rehire.?" That is the only question which can be answered. And by and large the answer is "no" because most employers have a "no rehire" policy. I know I do.

The mostimportant thing for you todo, when you are interviewing and after you begin your new job: DO NOT MENTION THE RAT. Do not talk about, refer to or comp,ain about your former employer. Find a way to leave that emotional baggage behind and do not mention him to friends, relatives or new work mates. It will reflect very poorly on you and make people wonder about you. Turn around and walk away with your dignity and your pride. You WILL land on your feet and you WILL be happier for it.

I've quit jobs suddenly, I've been fired and I've fired people. None of those events ever had the smallest negative impact on me. I always grew from the experience.

good luck

John

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Mbo
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 09:19 PM

Reminds me of Crow from MST3K. In one episode, he made himself a "What Would Buffy St.Marie Do?" bracelet. So whenever he was in a time of confusion, he'd say "What would Buffy do? I know! I'll write a folk song!" Love that Crow! Round the lips!

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 09:03 PM

Everything Sinsull says is right but she missed a most important point. Once you've got all of that unemployment stuff sorted out and you will be in that time between jobs when you have plenty of time for music! I assume you have the interest, since you are here with the rest of us, so now you can play albeit within a very limited budget. But then, isn't that what folkies do? Play within a very limited budget?

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: GUEST, Banjo Johnny
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 09:01 PM

Have you considered going to your boss' superior to explain what has been going on? == Johnny

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 08:43 PM

Guest,
It's a scary business but a year from now you will know that this is the best thing that could have happened. I have been through it. Private Message me. I have some ideas to help you get back on track.
For now, take a deep breath, sign up IMMEDIATELY for unemployment, make sure that if you are fired tomorrow you leave with a check representing your severance pay and any vacation or overtime due you. Don't sign anything. Get all the information you need re: COBRA, continuing Life Insurance, explanation of 401K payouts, etc. Relax. You can now enjoy a well earned vacation.
Unemployment allows a certain amount of temp work without cancelling your benefits. If money gets tight use it. Take stock of your credit cards and available lines of credit mainly for peace of mind. It helps to know that the rent can be paid for the next six months.
You haven't thrown away a 30 year career. Every minute of it will count towards your next job. I, who did not know how to turn on a computer, landed a position selling sophisticated networking equipment. A year later , I see myself retiring early. There is a silver lining to your cloud.
Look in the mirror. You are the same capable, experienced worker you were three days ago. And there has never been a better time to be job hunting. Employers are desperate for good people.
It will be OK.
Mary

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 08:38 PM

Guest, bite that bullet and sue the bastard for bullying. That's what he has been doing to you for the past few years, make sure you have a good union rep who is not afraid of confruntation. Even if you don't win anything, at least you will have dragged his bullying and violent ways into the light, and others might be willing to stand with you.

I was sacked last year, basically for having an illness that was chronic enough to mean a lot of time off, but not chronic enough to be registered disabled. When I went, I went kicking and screaming. I subsequently lost my appeals on techinicalities, but my former manager underwent a humiliating experience that has taught her never to assume that power or position is unassailable. She got hauled over the coals for misuse of position, and mistakes she'd made, I got employed in a much better job. Don't go without a fight.

LTS

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Mooh
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 08:29 PM

A 30 year career is a huge achievement in and of itself. One firing which says lots of negative things about your former boss and place of work, might actually speak to your higher moral and ethical sense. You are not the first or last employee to be fired for taking the higher ground. Decent employers will look at your whole record and know that your qualities (which might have played a part in the firing) are the same qualities they need in their employees.

Someday I hope you can wear this episode as a badge of honour.

By your description, I don't see just cause for your dismissal, but I do see a great opportunity (excuse, if you like) to move on. Have faith in yourself, and confidence in your abilities. Remember that to focus on what's next heightens your ability to promote yourself.

And, good luck. Let us know how it works out.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: kendall
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 08:26 PM

This is where a good union would step on that roach.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 08:21 PM

I am a woman and I live in the US. I am his personal administrative assistant. When he informed me that my job was to do the office dishes left int he sink, clean the office toilets if someone made a mess, clean the refrigerator of someone else's rotten food and wash the dishes where this food was left, I told him that everyone should be responsible for their own dishes, etc. It was a short conversation and I've not said anything since and I've done the dishes.

Lest you think I am a doormat, I am not, but I have been afraid of this individual for some time. Until recently, it was never in my nature to allow someone treat me this way. He is fully aware of my fear and the power he holds over me, as far as my career goes. Some people, both men and women, become "heady" with this kind of power. I am also single and he knew there was no one for me to turn to if I quit my job.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:59 PM

Guest, you didn't say whether you're in the US, but if you are, I recommend you apply for Unemployment Compensation right away. Don't assume that just because you're being fired "for cause", that you're not entitled to it. Also, don't resign. If you quit, you won't be entitled to UC. If they ask you to resign, or try to talk you into resigning, it's probably because they know you WOULD be entitled to UC if they fire you, and they're hoping to avoid that. Go ahead and let them fire you.

Also, don't assume that being fired means you are unemployable. Most people don't talk about it, but a lot of people have been fired from a job at one time or another, and it doesn't necessarily hurt their careers.

Check around in your area to see if there are any social service agencies that serve the unemployed, and find out what they have to offer. If they have support groups, get into one. Once you start swapping stories with others in a similar situation, you will realize you are not alone, and that in itself is worth a fortune.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:25 PM

I once worked for a boss who ran the office by temper tantrum. I learned everything I know about how NOT to run an office from her.

We decided she was overwhelmed by her job and the responsibilities she was forced to assume. As a result she was frightened and insecure and overcompensated by taking it out on us.

None of this helps you directly, Guest, except that you should look at this as not being a reflection on anything you have done. You could be, unfairly of course, just taking the brunt of his anger and frustration.

I am curious, though, are you female? Is this a case of male domination that you refuse to put up with? That could set off a negative behavior pattern too.

Either way, you are better off not working for him. When you interview for your new job point out your 30 year record and, if asked, explain the possible reasons why your boss was difficult to work with.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:23 PM

Getting fired is not at all uncommon and will not end your career. It might not even damage it. Employers today know that people get fired for personal reasons much of the time. Getting fired for a mistake doesn't make you unemployable. Getting fired for stealing will make getting a desireable new job tough, but even then, not out of the question.

Approach your prospective new employers with confidence and realize that you are bringing them something new and useful, not damaged goods.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: DougR
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:13 PM

Guest: Don't write off your future because of this one incident, even if it results in your being fired. From what you write, it sounds to me as though he may have done you a favor. The job does not seems to be ideal for you anyway if you are frightend of your boss.

Any prospective employer worth his/her salt, is going to take into account your thirty year record, not just this one incident.

I would advise you to be upfront with those who interview you. Tell them that your last employer was a tyrant and that you do not expect that you will receive a good recommendation from him. If you have multiple years of employment with that company the intervewer surely will take that into account when considering your present employer's comments. After all, if you served the company for a considerable period of time and your employer was so dissatisfied with your work, why did he keep you around so long?

View this as an opportunity to open a new world for yourself. If you are in the U.S., work opportunities are abundant in most parts of the country. Go at it, and be positive.

I wish you the very best.

DougR

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: Midchuck
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:02 PM

Consult competent local counsel. His "raising his hand at me" could be your retirement plan. Probably not, but don't go without at least checking it out.

Peter.

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: GUEST,Ickle Dorritt
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 07:02 PM

If you have a thirty year career it would be a sad prospective employer who dismissed all that experience because of one incident. the important thing is not to let this experience damage your confidence. If they call for references ask them to contact other previous employers as well. Be positive and honest in your interviews and I am sure you will do well

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: CarolC
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 06:52 PM

That sounds really rough. What would happen if you quit before you were fired? Is that the only employer that you can get references from? Do you have any records of good evaluation reports from the past?

Maybe if you can demonstrate a good track record for the past 30 years, a prospective employer might overlook this new development.

Good luck, and best wishes.

Carol

Subject: RE: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: guinnesschik
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 06:41 PM

Don't know if it's any consolation, but I wish you the best, and hope all turns out well.

Blessings....

Subject: NotMusic ... Thoughts On Being 'Fired'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 00 - 06:33 PM

It looks like I'm going to be fired tomorrow . the first time ever . and now I will have a blemish on my career. I've put my whole life into my career and now this.

Last week I made a mistake, while trying to carry the load of a person who quit, and not knowing there was a specific procedure for a task I was asked to do. My boss confronted me with it this afternoon and I explained what occurred. He became very angry and irrational and I walked out of his office, when he raised his hand at me. He ended up slamming it down on his desk. Then I received a call, from another staff member, whom he had asked to call me to bring my laptop into the office tomorrow morning, for a reason I know isn't true.

On one hand, I'm rather relieved, because he has, on several occasions treated me in an inappropriate manner. He has a vile temper and I am the one in the office who feels the brunt of it. I've thought for some time that he does that because he is afraid anyone else would walk out, and I wouldn't. Whatever his reasons, it is inappropriate behavior. I told him at one point that I'm afraid of him and he didn't bat an eye.

Unfortunately, relief is fleeting because now I don't know what I'm going to do financially. I plan to relocate to another area, and now is probably a good time to do so, but I wanted to wait until next spring. Where I'm planning to move has a 1% unemployment rate, so they are literally crying for good people, but now I'm probably unemployable. I could put my household stuff in a storage unit, which I already have, and possibly go ahead and move, but it won't be long before I'm totally financially strapped. I also don't know if I will be able to find employment, because whosomever will call references, and they will be negative.

A 30-year-career has been destroyed in one fell swoop.