Comments on: Why Getting Fired is a Blessing

By: Epicnyx

Epicnyx — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:17:00 +0000

I’ve been fired several times.
(1) Once for being pregnant. During a layoff at Aladdin Mfg. I asked our manager about my layoff information. He told me he was firing me instead because I was pregnant and he thought I knew it when I started working there 2 months previously. Boy do I wish certain laws had been in place THEN.
(2) Job eliminated. Guess this wasn’t really being fired, but the company was going to close it’s doors. Made sense since they really didn’t know what the hell they were doing anyway. I’ve never seen 3 men more ignorant of how a TPA works in my life. Part of the reason they closed their doors though was somewhat my fault…I admit. After seeing one of the owners refuse to give some of our people any severance pay what-so-ever (for having work reduction they were being laidoff/let go) I DID make the conscious decision to stop trying to sell anything. These guys did more to piss off clients than to help them, so it was in my best interest to not have my reputation sullied further by their inability to comprehend the idea of building a “relationship”. They obviously thought they were still selling widgets and we should be order takers….morons.
(3) Fighting. Yup. Myself and spouse were working together at a company and on different shifts so one of us could be home with my 4 year old son. Hubby decided to start having an affair with one of our coworkers and she was coming to my house while I was at work. Needless to say, when I found out she and I had an altercation in a back ally (away from work). Of course, when someone ran to get the manager and he tried stepping between us…well, I slugged him too. The owner called me later that evening to tell me to turn in my uniforms. When I started asking why was it that both myself and husband were being fired yet the girl (oh, and I had gone to high school with her too) wasn’t, I was told “Well, she didn’t know he was married.” You are effing kidding me right? I’m like, she’s coming to my HOME. I have a 4 year old and my CLOTHES are in my BEDROOM.

All of the above turned out ok though. Each time I was able to move higher and higher with more opportunity for growth. The girl in question…well, she stayed there in that little podunk job and never developed any real marketable skills. That company eventually closed down. So I was pretty blessed though it sure didn’t feel that way at the time.

I would hate to lose my job now until I get somethings paid off, but since I work for a horse’s ass who seems to hold my age against me it could turn out to be a good thing. I’ve learned a lot in my years in the workforce….#1 is that I keep really good notes and I have enough saved to hire an attorney.

By: CluelessGrad

CluelessGrad — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:45:00 +0000

Great story! I’m sure many people can relate. Getting fired seems like the worst thing ever, but it’s really an opportunity to grow that many people overlook.

By: Abrad1019

Abrad1019 — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 19:01:00 +0000

I like your post. You are dead on. I was fired in a situation that was entirely the result of a communication problem. Interestingly, it was a Communications office. Information flowed down more than it did up. For the task I was assigned, the information really needed to flow up because it involved the development of our website.

I will never think back on my time in that office fondly. It was for the most part a period of pure agony. Being set free was a relief. It was scary because I had bills to pay, it was frustrating because I had no choice but to take all of the blame (HR wasn’t about to help me out), but it was an experience I gained a lot of personal skills from. These include the ability to stand up for myself, the ability to take necessary risks, and the ability to articulate things in finer detail. All skills that give me more mobility in my career.

I’m not happy that I was subjected to that kind of situation, but I’m lucky because I have an experience that others don’t. I’m more grateful than some of my co-workers for the culture of the company I currently work for, and I’m much happier now because I’m in a job more aligned with my values.

By: CluelessGrad

CluelessGrad — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:18:41 +0000

I didn't know you got married? Congrats! Sorry to hear you lost your job in the same week. That hurts. What type of work are you looking for? I may not be able to help, but I'm curious to hear what you're up to.

By: Dustin Love

Dustin Love — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:54:21 +0000

I have felt the sting of being let go first hand. Last October I purchased a home, lost my job, and got married all in the same week. I figured that since I just graduated from SLU that my degree would allow me to find an even better job….. p.s I am still looking

By: Jonathan Schultz

Jonathan Schultz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:58:19 +0000

look like someone watched "up in the air" recently… haha nice post Jeff