Fired From Job

Get Out---Before You're Fired From Job

Tim: Fired From Job

"We're not going to need you here any more. I'm sorry." That's all the boss said when he called Tim into his office Friday afternoon. Tim was devastated. There'd been no warning. Just like that, his income and professional life were gone.

Susan: Fired From Job

Susan didn't see it coming either. She was bitter about the lack of notice, but after thinking about it, the signs were there for the savvy person to read and act upon. These are some signs to notice and heed.

Fired from job warning #1: Lack of motivation for the job
Susan had been a star performer, until they hired a new supervisor she scornfully compares to the pointy-haired boss in the Dilbert cartoon. The supervisor abruptly changed the department, eliminating several positions. He reassigned her from the projects she loved and did expertly. Overnight, she lost all enthusiasm for the job and has been going through the motions ever since. While her anger might be justified, she now realizes she was foolish to think she could hide her feelings. She's no actress, and her resentment was being read loud and clear. Many people hate their jobs, but wrongly believe their supervisor and co-workers don't know.

Fired from job warning #2: Lack of promotions/Demotions
Tim loved his job and the great relationship he enjoyed with Mark, the COO. His responsibilities and influence extended far beyond his department. Then a newly-hired manager named Martha, started bending Mark's ear. She convinced him to reverse several of Tim's decisions, and assumed some of Tim's responsibilities. Although he kept the same title, in essence, Tim had been demoted. Tim gamely cooperated with Martha, believing it would work out. He never saw that his head was on the company guillotine. If the company shows no positive signs about your performance, they may be looking for your replacement.

Fired from job warning #3: Being left out of projects and decisions
Tim was told someone "forgot" to invite him to two important project meetings. Meetings with the COO became increasingly difficult to arrange. He felt increasingly isolated and "out of the loop." People went to Martha with their ideas, problems, and questions.

Fired from job warning #4: Conflicts disappear
Ben and his supervisor rarely saw eye to eye, and there was a thinly-veiled hostility between them. Twice, it had escalated into an open argument. This by itself was alarming. Then, suddenly, the tension disappeared. The boss was almost pleasant. Ben misinterpreted this change and felt relieved--until he got the termination notice. Once the boss knows you're on the way out, there's little reason to fight.

Beware if you find yourself making up explanations for the way you're treated, whether the treatment is good or bad. Consider the odd behavior against the test question, "If the person with the strange behavior knew about your imminent demise, would the behavior make sense then?"

Be in action
If any of this sounds familiar, be in action right away.

One strategy is to acknowledge the situation and negotiate a way out. Susan might have said, "Look, it's obvious this isn't working. I'd like to discuss phasing out." She might negotiate severance and/or time to look for a new job.
Another strategy is to set up projects and outside-the-office schedules that will give you freedom and flexibility to go on interviews. Then crank up a job campaign pronto!

Finally, if you think you have a case for discrimination by race, creed, color, age, gender, etc., consult a lawyer about available remedies. Generally, actually using those remedies won't serve you, but having them available can give you leverage and confidence in negotiating severance.