Anonymous wrote:I'm about 51% certain it's happening to me tomorrow. I'm not shocked, just bummed bc we're broke and in the throes of kids activities and life.

Me again. I was right. Day 1 begins.

Pushed out of a position as a physician at a medical school because I couldn’t renew an NIH grant. I had private grants, was carrying a full patient load (same as my clinical colleagues), got teaching awards and was a program director, but I was on the research track, which requires an R01 or a P01.

I was told that I should start looking for jobs because when my contract was up (in about a year) I would be formally pushed out.

Closing my lab was traumatic - so much research that just got dumped (cell lines and reagents) because there was no one to pick it up (no one wants to work on rare cancers anymore because the funding line is so low at the NCI - industry has now taken over that role in large part). Also had to find landing spots for my postdocs and techs. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and trying to cry softly so that I wouldn’t wake up my husband. Last year a German group ended up publishing the same conclusion as one project we were studying, so at least I have the intellectual satisfaction that we were on the right track.

I went into private practice and I make 3x more than I did in academics and work 4 days/wk. However, we had to move away from friends and family. It’s been 5 years and I think I’m happier now - at least I don’t wake up at 3 AM and cry. But I still mourn what my family and I and my lab and my patients lost in the turmoil and the move.

As a result, I am probably too lenient with our employees because I know how awful it is to lose a job.

Ironically, post Covid my old hospital asked me to come back in a higher level administrative role because of the doctor shortage. They even admitted that they made a mistake in pushing me out. I rejected their offer.

Anonymous wrote:I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

It’s really not a big deal. Jobs aren’t above being human.

Anonymous wrote:I guess this has happened to me a fair number of times.

First time was from BigLaw - they gave me three months to find something else. I found something else that I liked a lot better. It could have been characterized as a layoff but it really wasn't - I just was really checked out from the job, and it showed.

I had a few bad fit jobs after that where I found new jobs before I got let go, but I'm pretty sure I would have been let go if I hadn't moved on myself.

Most recently, I took a fancy sounding job at a nonprofit - where it just was a terrible fit. They gave me a good title but the work was NOT at that level - also, I had serious issues with the mission, it turned out.

And I just did not get along with the person I was working with most closely. I wouldn't say I was "fired" because it was a lot friendlier than that - but I hung out my own shingle after that and was self-employed for a few (very happy) years. Then got recruited into my current job - they were one of my consulting clients - which I've been at for almost a year. Gotten one promotion so far - and so far so good. It's me, so I am always sort of looking out for what might be next - but I'm pretty happy here right now, anyway!

Is it just me, or does your story kind of sound like those reviewers on recipe websites where they give a recipe a 5-star rating (“Loved! Perfect dinner!”) except then they elaborate that they changed like six different thjngs and it wasn’t even the same recipe anymore!

Dude! OP asked if anyone has gotten fired. You said it’s happened to you a number of times. And then you proceeded to detail different job scenarios in which you were not fired. So weird.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. If you could afford a lawyer, you should qualify for disability. I wish you the best and hope you have support.

Thanks, but I wouldn't be able to live on disability. It wouldn't pay enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

Have you gotten a neuropsych test, diagnosis and proper treatment (meds, therapy)?

Not as an adult. I basically had terrible behavior and didn't learn anything all through school, then at age 19 was diagnosed with a ton of learning disabilities through my old school district and they recommended (I kid you not) that I become a cashier. Like as a full time job, as if that would support an adult. As a child I was forced to go to therapy where (somehow, the psychologist never noticed I had all these learning disabilities or connected that they could affect my behavior?) I was encouraged to be better behaved, follow directions at home and do my schoolwork. That was my "therapy." I wouldn't know how to go about it as an adult, and wouldn't trust a neuropsych test to be accurate since I've spent over four decades working around my self/brain.

Anonymous wrote:I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. If you could afford a lawyer, you should qualify for disability. I wish you the best and hope you have support.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I fired 2 employees (different occasions) for sexual harassment. Both were 12-15 years ago and neither seems to have worked for another company since although they did both apply at different points because there were reference checks. They both have their own LLC and have been consulting per LinkedIn and people that have kept in touch with them.

Why not let them quit. We call them my old job “involuntary leavers”.

HR verbally tells you and says you can quit on the spot voluntarily right this minute. You will get no reference good or bad but we will confirm title and dates of employment. Or don’t quit, we fire for cause, no unemployment and black mark resume. Plus we open full investigation.

Because they sexually harassed women. That’s not an opportunity to offer to allow someone to resign.

And there was no reason to dance around with references. When they applied for new jobs I was very clear why the person was fired. If the new company wanted to take a chance the behavior wouldn’t happen again, that’s on them.

You’re a walking lawsuit waiting to happen. There’s a good reason why corporations only give neutral references these days.

Nope. Was perfectly fine to answer why they were fired. You won’t win a judgement against someone telling the truth.

Anonymous wrote:I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

Have you gotten a neuropsych test, diagnosis and proper treatment (meds, therapy)?

Anonymous wrote:I'm about 51% certain it's happening to me tomorrow. I'm not shocked, just bummed bc we're broke and in the throes of kids activities and life.

I’m sorry, can you go in early and print out, download files and contacts 94 email yourself stuff you need?

Also, if you get called in to a “mtg” bring your phone in a pocket or portfolio folder and have it set to Voice record. That way you can remember what was said.

At the potential mtg itself, stay calm, take notes, never agree to anything. Say you will think over what was said, you are surprised or shocked to hear this now for the first time, and ask any questions. Would you like me to go on that trip next week? Take that client call tomorrow?
Then say you’ll read over what is sent.

Also read over your employment or comp plan terms in case working through a particular date gets you more bonus or nuts

Get a lawyer if something fishy going in or they have a pattern of such discrimination and blindsiding certain types of people

I have been. Multiple times. I have very severe learning disabilities and just screw up a lot. Unfortunately I can't change careers because I can only do this one thing to support myself. I also got fired as a teenager from part time jobs too. When I got fired from a clothing store I didn't really do anything beyond drive home crying. I didn't know why I got fired. I got fired from being a camp counselor and also didn't know why. I made up an excuse and quit at my ice cream shop job before they could fire me - I couldn't understand the instructions on how to make ice cream related drinks like root beer floats and whatever else there was. I went home hysterically crying from that.

At some jobs when they'd fire me they would be really kind and write me a letter of reference and let me know they wouldn't block unemployment. Basically, you go home, cry, then pull yourself together and start looking for a new job. The cycle never really stops.

Anonymous wrote:I fired 2 employees (different occasions) for sexual harassment. Both were 12-15 years ago and neither seems to have worked for another company since although they did both apply at different points because there were reference checks. They both have their own LLC and have been consulting per LinkedIn and people that have kept in touch with them.

+

Lots of running their own “family office,” consulting freelancing and doing their own thing at home work.

Layoffs are common, for good and poor performers.

Getting fired is rare but have seen such individuals escorted out within minutes and never work in finance again. Ethics, fraud, insider trading, cumulative of complaints, expenses abuse = fired.

Even harassment or discrimination accusation people get “laid off” due to 1+ year long investigations and lawsuits.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I fired 2 employees (different occasions) for sexual harassment. Both were 12-15 years ago and neither seems to have worked for another company since although they did both apply at different points because there were reference checks. They both have their own LLC and have been consulting per LinkedIn and people that have kept in touch with them.

Why not let them quit. We call them my old job “involuntary leavers”.

HR verbally tells you and says you can quit on the spot voluntarily right this minute. You will get no reference good or bad but we will confirm title and dates of employment. Or don’t quit, we fire for cause, no unemployment and black mark resume. Plus we open full investigation.

Because they sexually harassed women. That’s not an opportunity to offer to allow someone to resign.

And there was no reason to dance around with references. When they applied for new jobs I was very clear why the person was fired. If the new company wanted to take a chance the behavior wouldn’t happen again, that’s on them.

You’re a walking lawsuit waiting to happen. There’s a good reason why corporations only give neutral references these days.

I'm about 51% certain it's happening to me tomorrow. I'm not shocked, just bummed bc we're broke and in the throes of kids activities and life.