I'm Being Let Go

[DiscGo]

I am being let go from work tomorrow (Friday 11/16/2012). I am not supposed to know yet, but my supervisor is my friend and as my friend he let me know. HR doesn't know that I know I am being fired and I am trying to figure out what I can do to make this funny. I truly haven't been happy at this work place in a while. Over the last 18 months the company has changed a lot, and I can see where I am really not a great fit for them any more. So although I wasn't really ready to move on, this isn't the end of the world for me. As a fan of awkward humor, I am not as worried about the job loss right now, as I am about the possibility of blowing an opportunity to do something really funny.

One of my favorite "Deep Thoughts" is: If I was being executed by injection, I'd clean up my cell real neat. Then, when they came to get me, I'd say, "Injection? I thought you said `inspection'." They'd probably feel real bad, and maybe I could get out of it.

Along those types of lines, I thought about trying to have my whole face brighten up (when I see HR in my boss' office tomorrow), and then excitingly ask if I am getting a promotion.

I also thought about asking a bunch of health care question and numbly rave on about my wife's pregnancy, but she actually is pregnant which makes it less funny :).

Alright Bogleyites. I'd like to go out with some style here. What do you guys have for me?

[Sombeech]

Dang, sorry to hear that.

The nice thing about knowing you're leaving a place in either situation, is you really lose that fear of your bosses. (yes, all the multi level bosses out there). You look at them and wonder "why the hell did this person EVER intimidate me in any way?"

Go out as a legend. As George Costanza got fired, http://youtu.be/2MiNxdpWFD8?t=1m30s

I made this little video mocking the CEOs of a little fortune 500 company I used to work for, my employment somehow terminated within days of this video going viral company wide (1100 branches nationwide). The back story is, they spent all this money hiring a studio so they could sit in front of a camera and deliver a trumped up 16 minute mission statement to give their employees a boost.

The same day it came out, mandatory viewing by all tens of thousands of employees, I had a little fun with Windows Movie Maker and audio clips from Office Space, Seinfeld, Austin Powers, and Tommy Boy. I sent it to 5 of my friends. 5. The next day it was in our corporate office back in Newport News Virginia and I was getting an appointment scheduling phone call from the CEO's secretary. Silly me thought there was a slim chance I'd be getting a promotion as well.

Here's the video link (file download 2 MB, had to make it fit in an email )
http://www.bogley.com/forum/attachme...2&d=1145029184

CEO called me and expressed his disappointment that they'd spent the money to film this production and I've undone all of their progress, and how Utah was such a difficult market, yadda yadda yadda... anyways my employment ended there shortly after. But I was legend. And I don't regret it to this day. I got a job the very next week and I had another paycheck plus legend status, you've gotta love that.

Sorry, I don't want to steal any thunder, I just urge you to NOT go out quietly, but to inspire others as you show your coworkers how odd it is that you fear certain men, when all you are trying to do is pay monthly bills at home and this job was simply a means to do so. It was not your purpose in life, it was a tiny notch on the long list of various ways you'll pay your house off.

And in turn it will be the best career move that happened to you.

Good luck, and plant a video camera.

[DiscGo]

Sorry, I don't want to steal any thunder, I just urge you to NOT go out quietly, but to inspire others as you show your coworkers how odd it is that you fear certain men, when all you are trying to do is pay monthly bills at home and this job was simply a means to do so. It was not your purpose in life, it was a tiny notch on the long list of various ways you'll pay your house off.

Loved your post friend! That is the exact sort of thing for which I was looking.

That video was awesome!

[shagdeuce]

You could send out an early morning email inviting everyone to lunch to celebrate your [x] anniversary with the company.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that it might get your friend in hot water for tipping you off.

[erial]

Hmmm, are you sure your sup/friend isn't having a little fun himself? Maybe you really are getting a promotion (the one he wanted) and he's set you up for a self destructo move.

[DOSS]

I would suggest going to work in drag and explaining to everyone that you have decided to finally be "you".. and then don't answer any other questions... after you get fired people will think it is because you came to work in drag

[Eric Holden]

What ever you do, wear the go pro and youtube it.

[Iceaxe]

As an employer I can tell you.... Take the high road and handle it with class. Tell them you enjoyed the opportunity to work for them and you are sorry it didn't work out.

Whatever you do don't burn any bridges. Any time I've fired someone I have always had a chance to make a difference in their life somewhere down the road, often the employee never even knew I helped him get a high paying job elsewhere or was the reason he wasn't hired.

Trust me on this one, handle it with class and you will never regret it...

If you want to compare it to an execution consider standing stoically in front of the firing squad an refusing the blind fold while you enjoy your last cigarette.

The above approach will leave a lasting impression.

It's also nice to understand that if you are getting canned it's because you are not generating a positive cash flow for the company. As an employer there is no way in hell I'm firing someone that is making me major coin.

Thanks for reading this far...

Sent using Tapatalk

[rockgremlin]

Did you like your job?

Ask what kind of severance package management is prepared to offer. Demand one year's salary + benefits. If they scoff, tell them you're going to file a sexual harassment suit against them. If they inquire against who? Tell them against YOU! Can they prove that they didn't offer to let you keep your job if you provided them with sexual favors?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcLvJdrbro&noredirect=1

[DiscGo]

Thanks everyone.

I would hope that years of being on this site would give some indication that I would try and take the high road. I am sure this is happening and I expect this to be the only time in my life that I am let go and just want to make the most of it. I really wish I had thought to come to work in drag. I have loved working here, but largely I loved working here when the company was smaller and I now find that I have all of the cons of a big company and none of the perks (none :) ). Management here (particularly my supervisor and then also the owner of the company) are my friends and I am concerned about this being hard on them. So I would like to make this as fun as possible for everyone and then I plan on letting them know not to feel badly about it, and to let them know that I recognize that it is business and not personal. It really isn't "personal" but even if it were, getting rid of someone you don't like is usually good for your business because there are surely reasons you don't like them. So in my mind even getting rid of someone you personally dislike is still "business" and not "personal" because it is still doing what you think is best for your business.

Thanks for all the advice.

[rockgremlin]

As an employer I can tell you.... Take the high road and handle it with class. Tell them you enjoyed the opportunity to work for them and you are sorry it didn't work out
Whatever you do don't burn any bridges. Any time I've fired someone I have always had a chance to make a difference in their life somewhere down the road, often the employee never even knew I helped him get a high paying job elsewhere or was the reason he wasn't hired.

Trust me on this one, handle it with class and you will never regret it...

I agree with 95% of this. I would say Shane is the exception not the rule. Most employers don't give two shits about their employees. I mean that. We're just another cog in the wheel that can be easily replaced by someone else doing the same job for a cheaper wage. That's the harsh truth.

You can stick it to them in other ways. File for unemployment. DO IT - there's no shame in it. And guess who foots the bill for your unemployment checks? It ain't the state nor the Feds -- its the employer who let you go. That's a little known fact.

[rockgremlin]

Thanks everyone.

I would hope that years of being on this site would give some indication that I would try and take the high road. I am sure this is happening and I expect this to be the only time in my life that I am let go and just want to make the most of it. I really wish I had thought to come to work in drag. I have loved working here, but largely I loved working here when the company was smaller and I now find that I have all of the cons of a big company and none of the perks (none :) ). Management here (particularly my supervisor and then also the owner of the company) are my friends and I am concerned about this being hard on them. So I would like to make this as fun as possible for everyone and then I plan on letting them know not to feel badly about it, and to let them know that I recognize that it is business and not personal. It really isn't "personal" but even if it were, getting rid of someone you don't like is usually good for your business because there are surely reasons you don't like them. So in my mind even getting rid of someone you personally dislike is still "business" and not "personal" because it is still doing what you think is best for your business.

Thanks for all the advice.

Man, you're too nice. At least cry a tear or two. Don't let them off so easy. Make them feel it too. Believe me, cleaning out your desk for the last time is gonna suck. And making the walk of shame out to your car with an armload of boxes is gonna suck too.

[DiscGo]

I got to work early this morning, and took all my stuff out to my car. So I should be able to just be let go, make an uncomfortable joke or two for HR, go to my boss(es) and let them know not to worry about me, and then going enjoy a 10 day weekend :)

[rockgremlin]

I got to work early this morning, and took all my stuff out to my car. So I should be able to just be let go, make an uncomfortable joke or two for HR, go to my boss(es) and let them know not to worry about me, and then going enjoy a 10 day weekend :)

I'll bet that was no fun. So what's the next move?

[tanya]

Most employers don't give two shits about their employees. I mean that. We're just another cog in the wheel that can be easily replaced by someone else doing the same job for a cheaper wage. That's the harsh truth.

Oh Rocky... your employer does care about you. How could they not!

I have over 150 employees and I do care about every single one of them and if there is a way to get them back to work I will do it. Employers may not show this to employees, but we do care. We can only do what we can afford to do however.

Don't burn any bridges. I have had a few do that I would not not give them a job back or recommend them to anyone.



Also understand that the employer pays a huge chunk of your unemployment benefits. Granted my place being seasonal, I probably pay more than most, but it is expensive to lay someone off.

[tanya]

I got to work early this morning, and took all my stuff out to my car. So I should be able to just be let go, make an uncomfortable joke or two for HR, go to my boss(es) and let them know not to worry about me, and then going enjoy a 10 day weekend :)

Excellent! They will give you a great job recommend.

[Sombeech]

I understand working with friends, you don't want to screw them. I've only been "fired" once and it got me thinking how they want me to give a 2 week notice if I'm going to leave so they can prepare their business, seamlessly.

But do they give you a 2 week notice? Would your family enjoy a seamless transition to the new job? Or are their financial needs just not as important as some desk job that had to be trained for a week....

Obvious reasons for this include fear of sabotage in the last 2 weeks but this is rare with a good working relationship where the employer truly wants to help the employee move on to better things. If more employers gave a 2 week notice, they could part ways and even harvest some training and expertise on the way out, passed on to the newbie.

[Iceaxe]

But do they give you a 2 week notice? Would your family enjoy a seamless transition to the new job? Or are their financial needs just not as important as some desk job that had to be trained for a week....

Standard practice is that a company should give two weeks notice that you are being let go, they should also provide you with two weeks additional pay (minimum), plus any unused vacation when you leave. This is if you are being fired and are still on good terms with the company, Sometimes things just happen and your job is no longer required or is not making money for the company and it's not really anyones fault the job disappeared.

If you are asked to stay longer to help the company that is your choice and a larger termination package can be negotiated. If I was asked to train my replacement I'd politely decline. No way in hell I'd train someone to take my job, particularly if they are undercutting my wage.

However, twice I have had to let an employee go for other reasons, once for stealing and once for being disruptive to the company. Both times that happened I just called them into my office handed them a pink slip, their final check and a check for two weeks pay and escorted them out of the office.

Bottomline.... just be professional. Also remember the fastest way to get a raise is to get a new job. I have always been amazed more people have not figured that out.

Anyhoo.... that is my perspective as an employer...

[trackrunner]

if you go the high road I'd recommend asking for a reasonable but generous severance package. most HR makes the manager sit through the meeting. if he is a friend then you may not want to make it tough on him.

[rockgremlin]

Also remember the fastest way to get a raise is to get a new job. I have always been amazed more people have not figured that out..

Working in the mining industry I figured that out fast. I'm on my 4th job now...every time a step up.