I’m unemployed.
Well, I got let go from my job today. It’s an awful feeling, one I’ve felt before and I had hoped to never experience again.
This is how it all went down:
I got into work this morning to see an e-mail from a friend. It linked to a job posting on Craigslist. She is also in marketing, and wanted my opinion on the posting, because it was in my industry and my line of work, and also because she wondered if I knew anything about the company. Well, it turns out THAT IT WAS A LISTING FOR MY FREAKING JOB!!! WTF! So I marched into my boss’ office and asked if I was being let go. Long story short, the answer was obviously yes. But seriously. They weren’t even going to tell me. They were going to interview and hire someone behind my back, AND THEN let me go once they had someone in place. Who wants to work for a company that operates like that!? Certainly not very professional and totally sleazy.
My boss made it clear that I am great at marketing. I am good at my job, and I get along with everybody at work. I’m pleasant, hard working and creative. But, my boss said that since I didn’t know anything about the industry that I’m in (real estate), and if co-worker wanted to leave on vacation, I wouldn’t be able to take over her position. Which is fair. Except that I was hired by them knowing that I knew nothing about the industry, and it was co-worker’s job to train me to do her position. But she refused to train me. She told my boss that too. She just wasn’t going to do it because she doesn’t like me and it stressed her out too much. And that was that.
There was no warning, no discussion, no performance review, no action plan, nothing. I wasn’t consulted, and wasn’t given anything in writing. The only thing that ever went down was my boss telling me that my co-worker and I had to settle our differences and work together from now on. Which I thought we were doing, but apparently not. It takes two. So now, 1.5 years after I was hired, I get fired because I can’t do part of my job (because nobody ever took the time to train me), which technically isn’t really my job. And yeah, I knew all that time that I’d have to get trained eventually, but I didn’t know it was job-critical. Nobody said that. And it’s not like I wasn’t willing to learn, or that I was taught and just didn’t grasp the concepts. I asked questions when I had them, and I was interested in learning. But how do you ask a co-worker (who you know despises you, and said outright that she refused to train you) for help and guidance? My boss acknowledged that it isn’t all my fault, and that others do have to take the blame for my downfall, but he said when it comes down to it, he had to choose co-worker over me because apparently her job is more important than mine, and she has seniority over me. So typical of the company.
I received 3 weeks of severance, which they made sure to let me know was beyond generous of them since they were only obligated to give me 2.5 weeks. Everybody I said goodbye to at work was SHOCKED that I was being let go – hell, I was shocked! I was good at my job and everybody knew it. And it feels awful to be fired for something I don’t feel that I had any control over.
I keep thinking, what could I have done differently? What could I have done that would have resulted in a different outcome? And honestly I don’t know if there is anything I could have done. I’m a nice person. I try to treat everybody with respect, and I really get along with everyone else at work (whereas there aren’t many people who get along with co-worker). But when someone is obviously trying to make life difficult for me (my boss definitely agrees that co-worker was going out of her way to be mean and pick on me), how do you respond? You can only take it for so long. Especially when the people who count aren’t willing to stand up for you.
So that’s that. I cried for a few hours when I got home. Spoke to my mom, my sister, my best friend, and BF. Getting let go is different this time, though. Because I know that I’m better than that job. I know it was holding me back from being creative, and it wasn’t a career-type job. I knew I would be leaving eventually, and it was always meant to be a temporary job until we went traveling. There was no room for movement, no room to learn anything new or expand my skills. It just is what it is. You had set tasks to do, and you needed to get them done. Which led me to feel bored and restless all the time. So maybe it was meant to happen, me being let go. Maybe it’s for the best, because I am now free to find something better suited to my skill set. And I do have skills. My boss didn’t hide the fact that he loves my work, and so does the President. I am talented, and there’s a company out there waiting to hire a person just like me. I know it.
Still. It sure takes a beating on my confidence, getting let go like that. Job posted behind my back. No warning. No chance to fight for my job. And in this economy.
83 Responses to “I’m unemployed.”
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Ugh. That is disgusting the way they handled that. Absolutely despicable. I'm so angry for you right now.
*fumes*
I'm glad you're away from that place now though. It didn't sound like a good place to be. I'm also glad you're a PF blogger with savings! It sucks to have to use them, but at least you'll be secure til you find a new job. *hugs*
My condolence….. Firstly i thought this was a guest post on your blog. I read it a few times to let it sink. I am uberly shocked and dumbfounded. Its been almost an yr or more i have been following your blog and you seem to be on a good path career-wise. but WOW…. i have no words to how your company treated you …:O
Holy moley. I feel like I got punched in the gut with you just reading it. At least my whole department was fired with no notice. I can't even imagine what it must feel like to be singled out for the usual BS corporate reasons.
You have a lot of skills, and you are blessed to live in a country with free healthcare. Why not think about doing your own thing?
Krystal – I’m so sorry to hear about this. I second what Dog said – you’re so talented and you have access to healthcare – maybe this will really turn out to be a great step in the right direction for you.
holy terrible!
Wow, I can't believe the nerve of your manager. I'm appalled!!! You were sucker punched, point blank. I've been there and it sucks so bad, even if you know that it's for the best… which it is. Try to let go of the hurt (I know this is easier said than done, I've been there) and look at it as a good thing (I know, just shut up already) because it really, really is. They sucked. And you rock. And the two of those things just don't go together. Now go rock with other people that rock.
Well crap. All you can do now is try to make it a good thing and find the job you really want. Best of luck!
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Sorry~
That sucks. Makes me want to smack somebody upside the head. I hope you land back on your feet and a much more rock awesome job than before. Or you win the lottery. Either way.
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OMG. Are you KIDDING ME????
That is SO… rude.
So rude.
Maybe it's best you got out – sounds like a horrible company to work for.
I wish you nothing but luck finding something new and something that you love.
Wow, what a crappy way for them to handle the whole thing. I think that you have the right attitude, clearly these are not people you want to be working for long term and maybe now you will have the opportunity to find a better fit position.
Still though it's super crap of them and you have every right to feel pissed, best of luck for you new job search!!
Wow, I'm really sorry to hear this… I can't believe they posted the job behind your back! Thank goodness your friend saw it or you might have been stuck training your would-be-replacement!
I think you'll find something fairly quickly… the economy is better than this time last year… good luck!
Do you have any legal ramifications? It doesn't seem right that your co-worker openly creates a hostile work environment and that you are the one who has to lose your job because of it.
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Wow. Possibly the most unprofessional firing ever. I hope that they hire the new person, your coworker refuses to train her and they go through this until they realize they have to fire the coworker who won't play well with others. Either way, they're getting what they deserve for not firing the right person. Or rather, for not resolving the situation so no one has to be fired here.
And posting on Craigslist. Wow. D*ckish.
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I'm so sorry Krystal. That is awful. I can't believe they treated you like that! Like you said, there is obviously something better out there for you. You deserve to be treated so much better! That co-worker will get her karma!!!
wow that is so awful!! From the beginning that manager should of told that other girl, that regardless of whether or not she gets along with you she has to train you to do her job incase you ever had to take over. I would of been like I dont care if you dont like her, its your job to train her! OMG.
Ugh..companies these days just don't care about their employees.
On the up side, atleast you don't have to deal with these people anymore, and I really hope you can find something soon! If people love your work, hopefully it won't take long!
Awful – I hope you get something a lot better soon.
That is HORRID. :( If I were you I'd be so mad at that ex-co worker right now. How petty and juvenile of her!!! Well its okay.. what goes around comes around. I know you'll move on to bigger and better things. Good luck!!
Sorry to hear it but that's what it has become in the employment world. Bosses are using their staff to train new hires to take their own jobs (with a lower pay). Once the old staff realizes this, they purposely not train or train badly.
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Companies should know how in today’s world, good employees are hard to come by and if you were good at what you were doing, they are the big loser here.
I don’t think you need them. It sounds like underneathe you know that too. I always try to find the silver lining when something goes wrong. There is always an opportunity. From the short time I’ve been following you, it sounds like you are confident and know what you want to do. I have faith it will work out. For now though, I also think you’re entitled to be super p*ssed, cry, eat loads of ice cream and scream your head off. I would. Hell, I do at smaller things. Sounds like you’ve got lots of supporters here.. All the best :)
Oh wow, that is awful, I'm so sorry to hear that, Krystal. I hope you find something better soon.
My recent post Financial Goals for 2010
That's infuriating!! I'm so sorry. It seems so unfair that you had the initiative to learn, but your coworker was such an unprofessional yatch! It absolutely sucks that people can be so stupid and immature. Take a couple days to grieve, and then find a job you love!
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I'm no lawyer, but my thinking is that you being let go for the reasons you mention would likely entitle you to more than 3 weeks severance – especially considering a replacement for your position was being solicited prior to your departure.
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the way they chose to go about it just shows the character of the place. It's horrible how they went behind your back to do that. They should of been upfront and honest about it.
Sorry that it was handled so poorly. You are so much more than that job though. And you are in a really good financial position. Sure it totally sucks, but you are prepared for this and I know that you will be one of those people that says that this is the best thing that ever happened to you (obviously not today :)). But I just know it – a little patience and perseverence…
Krystal, this completely blows. I would be FURIOUS is I saw that my job was being advertised on CL and I wasn't even warned about it. That is just awful.
Will your freelance work and savings be enough to keep you afloat for a while? Do you think you'll be able to expand your freelance work into a full time job?
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Holy crap! That's awful! I'm really sorry to hear this, Krystal. It doesn't help the hurt and the dent to your self-esteem much, I know, but I think you're right: the silver lining in this is that you are now free to find the perfect job. You are strong, motivated, creative and intelligent (we know this from your blog!) and there are companies out there who would LOVE to have you work for them. If this company is happy with crappy employees, that's not your problem anymore. But yeah, go the ice-cream route for at least for a couple of days and regroup. We all look forward to hearing how you're doing!
That is possibly the worst bumbling of a firing I've ever heard of! What's worse is that they fired someone who is great at her job because she isn't knowledgeable about what's not her job. I agree with whoever said that this cycle will be repeated again and again until they finally realize that your coworker is the root of all of the problems. It's probably good that you're getting out of a company that operates this way!
Crap, that sucks! You’ll be better off without them in the long run, but I know that doesn’t soothe the sting in the short term. Good luck, and keep us updated on the next stages!
Crap, that sucks! You’ll be better off without them in the long run, but I know that doesn’t soothe the sting in the short term. Good luck, and keep us updated on the next stages!
I can’t imagine finding my job on craigslist. Even if the reasons they needed someone different in the job had hypothetical merit………..which I doubt………………the back handed way they did this is just so slimy.
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I am so sorry :( That is awful. I agree, go have some ice cream!
Wow – first of all I am very sorry to hear this.
You are right about one thing: you don’t want to work for a company that operates like this. I get a sense your co-worker was reluctant to train you for fear of your abilities and the potential to make her look bad or take her job. At the same time, shame on your boss for letting things get to this point.
Luckily you have a great family, the BF and a bunch of anonymous readers every day who love the fact you are so open and share everything.
This is just the start Krystal, there are better jobs out there and you’ve proven in the past you can land them. Hit the pavement hard and find something bigger and better.
That really sucks – I’m glad you have some money saved away in your emergency fund and were able to walk away with a ‘generous’ severance package. Best of luck getting back out there – I hope you land in a better situation with a boss that has a little more class.
Best,
KC
My recent post Net Worth – March 2010
Sorry to hear about your job loss it can be horrible but hopefully it is a blessing in disguise. The way it went down is disrespectful and mean spirited. You walked into an office setting where your coworker is really your boss or close enough to your boss that if she did not like you she can get you fired. These people were all there before you got there and you walked into a dynamic that was already in place–nothing you can do about that sometimes–move on and chalk it up.
I'm SO sorry Krystal.
I know you're great at what you do and you have the skills and confidence to succeed. Here's to finding a new job quickly and painlessly.
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Wow that is nuts and very deceitful on their part! At least you know you're better than that. Good luck finding a new job!
That's terrible! Wow I can't believe you found out because a friend showed you a posting for your company. Just shocking.
*hugs*
Honestly, that’s so outrageous. I don’t know what the labor laws are up there, but if you have any recourse at all, I hope you’ll pursue them for the principle of the matter. Because 3 weeks of severance when you’re literally being let go because they have a petty employee who refuses to do HER job of training you is NOT generous. Furious on your behalf. Utterly and totally furious.
Honestly, that’s so outrageous. I don’t know what the labor laws are up there, but if you have any recourse at all, I hope you’ll pursue them for the principle of the matter. Because 3 weeks of severance when you’re literally being let go because they have a petty employee who refuses to do HER job of training you is NOT generous. Furious on your behalf. Utterly and totally furious.
I’m so sorry too Krystal; thats an awful way to be treated, and to find out! Good luck in finding another job soon, I’m very confident that you, very soon. Laura
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Thats terrible. I know what its like to work for a company that treats you like crap and its nothing to even do with you. I hope you find something. :/
I can’t believe that happened!!! That’s ridiculous HOW they went about it! I”m sorry to hear.
Man, this economy is just crazy scary, isn’t it?
Hmm sometimes change can be for the better, maybe you’ll find a better job that you’re really passionate about…hopefully some place where people aren’t manipulative and deceitful… you don’t need to be in a workplace environment like that, anyways.
I honestly don’t know why companies do that though- don’t give you any warning and strike out of the blue. Sheesh.
Good luck finding a new and much better job!
My recent post youngandthrifty Net Worth Update: March 2010
I can’t believe that happened!!! That’s ridiculous HOW they went about it! I”m sorry to hear.
Man, this economy is just crazy scary, isn’t it?
Hmm sometimes change can be for the better, maybe you’ll find a better job that you’re really passionate about…hopefully some place where people aren’t manipulative and deceitful… you don’t need to be in a workplace environment like that, anyways.
I honestly don’t know why companies do that though- don’t give you any warning and strike out of the blue. Sheesh.
Good luck finding a new and much better job!
My recent post youngandthrifty Net Worth Update: March 2010
First off, I would like to say I'm so sorry to hear the news. I got "let-go" from a job (technically I resigned, but was basically being forced to or chose being fired for something I made a bad decision about and they treated me with more respect than that. Let me stay on for about 6 more weeks (through the holidays) and let me "work from home" and let me use all vacation/sick time before I left. And I had done something wrong. It makes no sense that they would treat you like that. Shameful… Are you eligible for unemployment? At least your expenses are low now that you live with BF. Spread your wings and fly!
I’m so sorry about this happening to you. That really sucks. Hopefully you’ll find a new job that is even better for you, and where they will appreciate you.
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Oh no Krystal! I’m so sorry! I hope you’re able to find a new job, that you like better, quickly!
WOW. I am so sorry to hear that. What kind of manager is this person that he would post your job before even telling you??? I hope you are able to find something better that you love really soon. Good luck with your search.
Wow, my mouth just dropped open at my computer! That’s so crazy! I can’t believe they handled it in that way. Well – I know you are right – on to bigger and better things! Good luck!
I'm so sorry to hear! On the bright side though, Krystal, maybe this is exactly the kind of push you needed to get down to starting your own business, like you were planning? Now there's nothing holding you back :)
It really does suck though, and especially, like you said, in this economy. But I know you're a good little saver, and that's what your 6-months of emergency savings is for, right?
Still luv you and your blog <3
-Sabrina
My recent post Is it Possible to be Frugal to a Fault?
I'm so sorry that it turned out this way.
But look at the brighter side. If it had happened last year, the job scene was really dismal. Now it isn't that bad. So its time to go to the mat and start looking for a new (better) job. I'm sure you won't stay unemployed for long.
im so sorry! how deceitful of them, that is justhorrible. im sorry you had to go through that, it was totally unfair. im sure you will have no problems securing a new job. you're a smart girl. good luck and keep your head up! :)
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