Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 12:52     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any advice for me?
I was reprimanded for not doing my timesheets daily, sending out a power point presentation that I later modified, but the initial draft was poor, this doc issue happened 6 months ago. I still got flamed for it now.
I agree that the pp prep was poor, but so were their list of requirements of what they wanted on it.
I cannot wait to get out. Just not bothered to document.
Why would a company refuse to let the employee collect unemployment? Could that really happen to me too


Unemployment claims raise the company's unemployment insurance tax rate.


Yes, they can do it. When my friend was let go they told her she could resign (not qualify for unemployment) or be fired (she could file for unemployment but if she filed for unemployment that they would fight it.) She ended up resigning and taking a meager pay-out because she was afraid of losing the unemployment claim.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 12:32     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
What happened OP and the poster who was worried about DH. Did you guys make it???

It sucks when work sucks. Good luck to you!
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 11:35     Subject: Re:I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:not OP, but I'm pretty sure DH will be fired today, or put on probation. there may be some performance issues, but he was warned repeatedly before he took the job that his boss was a nightmare--and indeed the boss is. about 3 months ago, she got really angry at him and started shouting at him, using obscenities and claiming that he was out to get her job (which is not at all true)--I think because she felt that he was arguing with her (she is control freak and he comes across as argumentative, which I have told him and he has really tried to tone it down). He was so shaken by this strange behavior that he reported to HR. Although this was supposed to be confidential, it was not and HR knows since there is a history but they've never done anything since she's outlasted many of his predecessors. Anyway, since then she has been documenting his underperformance, which unfortunately is very subjective and has her flunky second her in all of this. while he really wants to leave as soon as he has another job, we need this job to last until he finds a new one. Ugh. he has not been sleeping or eating all week--he wakes up at 3 am and is up for the day and looks haunted. I feel terrible. We have 3 kids, two under 3 year old and enough savings for about 3 months.


So sorry, feel bad for you all. Hope he gets a good job soon!
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 11:29     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
HR is not your friend. I don't know where this myth of "Report to HR and they will help you!" comes from, but it is bogus. HR REPRESENTS THE COMPANY, NOT EMPLOYEES.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 11:10     Subject: Re:I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
not OP, but I'm pretty sure DH will be fired today, or put on probation. there may be some performance issues, but he was warned repeatedly before he took the job that his boss was a nightmare--and indeed the boss is. about 3 months ago, she got really angry at him and started shouting at him, using obscenities and claiming that he was out to get her job (which is not at all true)--I think because she felt that he was arguing with her (she is control freak and he comes across as argumentative, which I have told him and he has really tried to tone it down). He was so shaken by this strange behavior that he reported to HR. Although this was supposed to be confidential, it was not and HR knows since there is a history but they've never done anything since she's outlasted many of his predecessors. Anyway, since then she has been documenting his underperformance, which unfortunately is very subjective and has her flunky second her in all of this. while he really wants to leave as soon as he has another job, we need this job to last until he finds a new one. Ugh. he has not been sleeping or eating all week--he wakes up at 3 am and is up for the day and looks haunted. I feel terrible. We have 3 kids, two under 3 year old and enough savings for about 3 months.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 09:31     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:Any advice for me?
I was reprimanded for not doing my timesheets daily, sending out a power point presentation that I later modified, but the initial draft was poor, this doc issue happened 6 months ago. I still got flamed for it now.
I agree that the pp prep was poor, but so were their list of requirements of what they wanted on it.
I cannot wait to get out. Just not bothered to document.
Why would a company refuse to let the employee collect unemployment? Could that really happen to me too


Unemployment claims raise the company's unemployment insurance tax rate.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 08:00     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Any advice for me?
I was reprimanded for not doing my timesheets daily, sending out a power point presentation that I later modified, but the initial draft was poor, this doc issue happened 6 months ago. I still got flamed for it now.
I agree that the pp prep was poor, but so were their list of requirements of what they wanted on it.
I cannot wait to get out. Just not bothered to document.
Why would a company refuse to let the employee collect unemployment? Could that really happen to me too
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 07:03     Subject: Re:I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
OP, I am in a very similar situation. It has been awful. I hope that in a year or so I will be able to look back on this and know it was for the best but right now it is really hitting me hard. I am terrified about what comes next, what I will do and how I will help my husband take care of our family. It is dragging out for a number of reasons that I will not get to here but I have literally been sick to my stomach for weeks. You have gotten some good suggestions here. Wishing you the best of luck and a better job in your future.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 06:03     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
penguinsix wrote:A friend of mine used to train cops. Every now and then he would come across a 'bully' who was like 'I am the Law!'. My friend would write a letter to their chief saying "I think this person has a problem, etc, etc" and would, 9 times out of 10, get back a letter from the Chief saying "I've known this guy for years. He's great, you're wrong, etc". My friend would then write a second letter to the chief saying "thank you for your letter in full support of this bad cop. I feel you are now "on notice" as to this officer potential problems, and under proper record keeping procedures I will keep a copy of your unqualified and complete support for this officer. Should there come a time when his poor judgment is called into question, I will gladly furnish your whole-hearted approval for his abilities to the proper authorities."

So, what you're saying is that if someone didn't agree with his subjective opinion, he responded by threatening them? Nice.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 00:58     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
I worked at a large accounting firm in Tysons 10 years ago, and they would "indicate" that someone was on their way out, but refused to fire anybody so that they never had to pay unemployment. They would rather walk by the poor schmoe shopping online or reading a book with no work assignments and laugh at them doing nothing, like a big office joke, until they quit. It was like a game of chicken. . . and they were proud of it and everybody knew about the policy.
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 00:38     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I didn't get fired, but was "warned" that my performance is "questionable" and tht there needs to be a change "or else". It is bogus, bc of my team of 8 people, my performance is #2, based on numbers/results/relationships with colleagues, etc. This woman hates me and is trying to force me out. Can't go to HR bc they are in her pocket (hr director is her BFF). So, now the for real job search begins. Thank goodness my company does not give any references at all, so they can't totally burn me in looking for something else.

When we were on the phone (she manages me remotely) she actually said to me, "gosh, you feel pretty bad now, huh?" and then laughed for about 30 seconds. It was awful.

Thanks for all the advice. Hopefully I can find something new before getting fired, but maybe I need some time off to get myt head together for something new.


Do you work for SAIC?


LMAO. I was thinking it sounded like Booz Allen.


So SAIC and Booz Allen suck?
Anonymous
Post 03/29/2012 00:02     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Nope, but my office is in Tysons
Anonymous
Post 03/28/2012 23:57     Subject: I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I didn't get fired, but was "warned" that my performance is "questionable" and tht there needs to be a change "or else". It is bogus, bc of my team of 8 people, my performance is #2, based on numbers/results/relationships with colleagues, etc. This woman hates me and is trying to force me out. Can't go to HR bc they are in her pocket (hr director is her BFF). So, now the for real job search begins. Thank goodness my company does not give any references at all, so they can't totally burn me in looking for something else.

When we were on the phone (she manages me remotely) she actually said to me, "gosh, you feel pretty bad now, huh?" and then laughed for about 30 seconds. It was awful.

Thanks for all the advice. Hopefully I can find something new before getting fired, but maybe I need some time off to get myt head together for something new.


Do you work for SAIC?


LMAO. I was thinking it sounded like Booz Allen.
Anonymous
Post 03/28/2012 15:39     Subject: Re:I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
Anonymous wrote:OP, did she explain what you need to do to change your performance to meet her expectations? Either way, I would take pp's and send an email documenting what it is you need to do to meet her expectations. If she didn't say what you need to do, then send an email saying you want to "clarify" what are the measurable results she is seeking. Be a bit careful here because she could come up with something completely unachievable so based on your circumstance, I would suggest some results to her. Meanwhile spend any extra time looking for a new job!


Yes, this! When a boss documents, the decision to fire you has nearly always been made. At least, this is my experience. Agree strongly with this PP. To fire someone for poor performance you really do need measurable documented failures. Did she tell you in what way your work was suffering? I would reopen the conversation and ask for metrics against which you can assess your performance-- past and present -- and specific areas of focus that she feels you're lacking.

If it makes you feel any better, and although it's not the same as being fired, my boss is always telling me my writing is bad. I am not egotistical but I'm actually a good writer (especially when I pay attention, in contrast to some of my DCUM posts). Same boss writes things that looks like a crazy person whose keyboard lacks punctuation keys got loose. So, it's good to have a written statement of where you're lacking, examples of this, and then benchmarks to try and hit.

Good luck and yes, start looking.
Anonymous
Post 03/28/2012 15:35     Subject: Re:I think I'm getting fired tomorrow
OP, did she explain what you need to do to change your performance to meet her expectations? Either way, I would take pp's and send an email documenting what it is you need to do to meet her expectations. If she didn't say what you need to do, then send an email saying you want to "clarify" what are the measurable results she is seeking. Be a bit careful here because she could come up with something completely unachievable so based on your circumstance, I would suggest some results to her. Meanwhile spend any extra time looking for a new job!