Ever been fired unexpectedly?

The One Doctor

I was handed my notice today and while it wasn't a massive shock (I've seem similar signs in other big companies before receiving a swift boot to my overfed arse) or my fault it's still not particularly pleasant. Our first baby is currently in the plush residence of my girlfriend's womb and will be evicted in December, so there's no massive hurry and we've some savings, but still, needs must.

So AHers, have you ever experienced the heavy hand of unexpected unemployment rearrange you jaw?

Agent Smith

How much they give you?


On a completely unrelated note. how much stuff can you fit in your car?

anncoates

Been made redundant twice before in the last 8 years with very little warning but got redundancy both times and was working again within 2 months.

Still a horrible feeling though. commiserations. Once you get over the surprise, you'll feel a lot better and maybe even enjoy the break between jobs.

DrumSteve

Once, however I was in a cannon at the time.

The One Doctor

Agent Smith wrote: »

How much they give you?


On a completely unrelated note. how much stuff can you fit in your car?

No redundancy, only been in the job 9 months. Got redundancy in my last job though. Can't fit much in the car, it's only a 3 door. Worst case we move into my girlfriend's parents place, so no homelessness beckoning.

bucketybuck

DrumSteve wrote: »

Once, however I was in a cannon at the time.

Then it was hardly unexpected now, was it.

Maphisto

Commiserations OP.

Never been fired or made redundant in 35 years - maybe I just learned to jump first

All the best OP I hope you get sorted soon.

Sleepy

Yep, got made redundant back in 2009 with my (now) wife and kids to support. I knew there were problems in the company but thought I was relative safe because I was involved in the area of the company that was still making money and was subsequently sold off after the Irish tax payer took a €90m hit on the company's bad debt to Anglo. Unfortunately, those making the redundancies hadn't analyzed the business too well and while my boss and his boss both tried to fight for me, it was ultimately useless.

It's a horrible experience when it happens but luckily for me I'd been with them for 6 years so even though my redundancy payment was statutory minimum it was about the equivalent of 4 months pay and they paid out my months notice. I took a month off, brought the kids to Eurodisney and was back working within a month of job-seeking, albeit on short-term contract in the UK. About 5 months later I was contacted on LinkedIn about a role back in Dublin and I've just passed the 4 year mark with the company.

TBH, given the interest I've been getting from some recruiters lately, I'd almost welcome another redundancy!

Good luck with the job-hunt OP!

The One Doctor

From my job hunting in the last month or so, there are a fair few jobs out there, but they're being snapped up almost instantly or I'm over experienced etc. Pain in the arse.

razorblunt

bucketybuck wrote: »

Then it was hardly unexpected now, was it.

Hey, what he and the Canon do in their spare time is their own business.

falan

Got laid off last week after 10 years. Was told im getting made redundant.

Alf. A. Male

Yes, once. In fairness having an all night lock-in playing cards with gangsters probably wasn't the best reason for failing to open the pub on a Saturday. Letting the guard dog escape to bite the area manager who was hammering on the door only compounded the error. I say error, I mean wanton fecklessness.

Johnny Be Goode

Sorry to hear that. One door closes another one opens….. Best of luck

Mr. CooL ICE

Kinda. It was just a summer job while in college, but I was working 6 weeks before all summer students were let go. Company had a short-term order to fill, so hired loads of students with the promise of 3 months work. Some were only there 2 weeks and had turned down other jobs for this one.

My current company had costsaving redundancies a few years back but none were voluntary. I hated my job at the time and begged to be let go (was there just over 2 years) but was kept because I was one of the few who were good at it. It seemed completely nonsensical that most of those who were let go wanted to stay and vice versa.

Going Strong

From my first ever job after leaving school back in the early 1980's. I was an assistant in a store room, fetching and carrying and being treated like dirt. Six months in and I go to collect my pay slip on a Friday to be told "You're fired, don't come back." I wasn't given a reason other than "The boss says so."

A while later I heard that the boss had a nephew who'd dropped out of further education and was in need of a job, so he was given mine.

kylith

Three times.

Once I was made redundant when the company folded. There were about 35 of us out on our ears that day

Once I got a job and was told at 3.55pm midway through my 11th week to be gone by 4pm because they were downsizing. I later found that she pulls this trick all the time - sacks people just before their probation is up and they have rights.

The last time was in a temp job. I left on Friday with everyone telling me they'd see me Monday and as I walked in the door of my house my phone rang and it was them telling me not to bother coming back, I'd done what they wanted, and they'd courier my stuff over.

Wicklowrider

I sold Motor Spares for a large company back at the end of the '80's.
They then hired a hotshot sales manager and he decided that he would let me go and get a lad covering another area to cover both areas. Last thing he instructed me to do was drop off the van in Commercial Vehicle sales yard.
I stopped off at the credit union on my way and withdrew all I had and along with the small redundancy I got, I bought a Van before I left the yard. On the way home I bought 3 200l barrels of oil and several 25l of anti freeze/coolant. I then went into a wholesale tool place and stocked up on sockets etc.
Back then, mortgage rates were in the high teens and this was real sink or swim stuff.Learnt a lot and when I sold it on I had enough experience and competence to go further. I've been self employed/in business 3 times since and each time it happened it was not my choice. Each time I have learnt a lot and its a great feeling to "stand on your own feet". Someone I knew once told me "You can't teach Experience." Sound advise.

The One Doctor

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Each time I have learnt a lot and its a great feeling to "stand on your own feet". Someone I knew once told me "You can't teach Experience." Sound advise.

I suppose I have a few self-employable skills - PC repairs (hardest bit is listening to the owner saying 'Oh yeah, I nearly sorted it myself') and counselling. I've done both before and they're easy jobs but neither really pays the rent.

Maybe I should start a cut price counselling practice. It would work, and save a lot of depressed or anxious people a lot of money.

Tail Docker

I'm saying nothing.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I was never fired or sacked or made redundant unexpectantly or otherwise.

I was either the ideal employee or just lucky.

Renegade Mechanic

Tail Docker wrote: »

I'm saying nothing.

Thats why you were fired, matey. You were a terrible informant.

Penny Tration

Never been let go/fired. I'm only in the work force ten years though, since I was 15. Was driven out of one company (they paid up when i sued, though), but never fired.

Guess I've been lucky so far.

FloatingVoter

Alf. A. Male wrote: »

Yes, once. In fairness having an all night lock-in playing cards with gangsters probably wasn't the best reason for failing to open the pub on a Saturday. Letting the guard dog escape to bite the area manager who was hammering on the door only compounded the error. I say error, I mean wanton fecklessness.

....and you still owe me €500.

Adyx

Every single place I've worked has closed down (twice for one place!), none of them really unexpectedly, although for the first company we heard about it on the radio. Fingers crossed for where I am now...

gugleguy

The One Doctor wrote: »

(hardest bit is listening to the owner saying 'Oh yeah, I nearly sorted it myself') .

They ALMOST never needed you

Wicklowrider

The One Doctor wrote: »

I suppose I have a few self-employable skills - PC repairs (hardest bit is listening to the owner saying 'Oh yeah, I nearly sorted it myself') and counselling. I've done both before and they're easy jobs but neither really pays the rent.

Maybe I should start a cut price counselling practice. It would work, and save a lot of depressed or anxious people a lot of money.

Counselling does sound good. I'd give it serious consideration if I was you.

PC repairs is worth a try because if done correctly there is little to lose except your time. Contacting local I.T businesses to see if they have work for you on a self employed basis is a good bet. Hardest part of this is getting paid and don't provide hardware/software without being paid upfront.
Best of luck with family.

southcentralts

In my first job out of school, there was a daily game of soccer in the yard, I tackled my supervisor who fell off balance (tackle was fair), he fell and although not physically hurt his pride was somewhat dented and after lunch I was called in and summarily executed let go. The prick was smiling in the corner of the room. I was young and accepted the bs they fed me about why I was being let go.

galwayredgirl

The One Doctor wrote: »

No redundancy, only been in the job 9 months. Got redundancy in my last job though. Can't fit much in the car, it's only a 3 door. Worst case we move into my girlfriend's parents place, so no homelessness beckoning.

You could always move into the "plush residence of your girlfriends womb" as you so tastefully put it.:eek:

The Backwards Man

I got fired on my first day as a newsreader on a pirate radio station for reading the wrong weather.

The One Doctor

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I got fired on my first day as a newsreader on a pirate radio station for reading the wrong weather.

I don't get the joke, sorry.

anto9

Johnny Be Goode wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. One door closes another one opens….. Best of luck

YES ,BUT THAT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE IN PRISON LOL:D

Ray Palmer

Once. The whole team had pulled massive hours to finish the product. We delivered it with extra whistles and bells. On the Friday we finished the product and were all brought out and congratulated o the amazing amount of work we did.

Came in on the Monday to see the head of the company over from the US and the financial controller over from the Dutch section. We all thought they were there to say thanks and give bonuses. Instead they let us all go as they were dropping the product we just finished.

Within 2 hours I had another job and they gave us a great redundancy package but we had to stay in the company for the next two months. My boss let me go off on holiday while I was in "work" officially and when I came back I started in the other company while still "working". Then I got my redundancy,holiday pay and exaggerated over time.

Felt a bit bad until I found out they had managed to sell the product they dropped 8 times giving them about 10 times their investment so few million. They then revived the product which they now have sold for another massive profit. The new owners of the product contacted me to work for them but I declined but they did say if I was ever looking they would take me in as they were still using my documentation for suggested improvements 2 years after I was gone and it was the majority of the product development road map.

Wicklowrider

Wicklowrider wrote: »

I sold Motor Spares for a large company back at the end of the '80's.
They then hired a hotshot sales manager and he decided that he would let me go and get a lad covering another area to cover both areas. Last thing he instructed me to do was drop off the van in Commercial Vehicle sales yard.
I stopped off at the credit union on my way and withdrew all I had and along with the small redundancy I got, I bought a Van before I left the yard. On the way home I bought 3 200l barrels of oil and several 25l of anti freeze/coolant. I then went into a wholesale tool place and stocked up on sockets etc..

I don't understand the story
What did you do with it all? Set the yard on fire?

harvester of sorrow

^^^^
Obviously went out on his own.

Maphisto

Wicklowrider wrote: »

I sold Motor Spares for a large company back at the end of the '80's.
They then hired a hotshot sales manager and he decided that he would let me go and get a lad covering another area to cover both areas. Last thing he instructed me to do was drop off the van in Commercial Vehicle sales yard.
I stopped off at the credit union on my way and withdrew all I had and along with the small redundancy I got, I bought a Van before I left the yard. On the way home I bought 3 200l barrels of oil and several 25l of anti freeze/coolant. I then went into a wholesale tool place and stocked up on sockets etc.
Back then, mortgage rates were in the high teens and this was real sink or swim stuff.Learnt a lot and when I sold it on I had enough experience and competence to go further. I've been self employed/in business 3 times since and each time it happened it was not my choice. Each time I have learnt a lot and its a great feeling to "stand on your own feet". Someone I knew once told me "You can't teach Experience." Sound advise.

As I'm reading I'm thinking Christ he's gone and fire bombed his old firm - better finish before its deleted.

Fair play and I'm not disappointed in the least

nc19

Twice within 6 months in 2008, victim of the recession. Dole and what the missus earned was enough to get by at the time. Mot so much these days if it was to happen again

Wicklowrider

bluewolf wrote: »

I don't understand the story
What did you do with it all? Set the yard on fire?

should have been clearer, I sold it all and carried on self employed

nc19

Adyx wrote: »

Every single place I've worked has closed down (twice for one place!), none of them really unexpectedly, although for the first company we heard about it on the radio. Fingers crossed for where I am now...

Maybe its you....

The Backwards Man

The One Doctor wrote: »

I don't get the joke, sorry.

No joke. I was supposed to read the Ulster weather off Aertel but I read the Irish weather off Ceefax (or maybe it was vice versa, can't remember) and the owner rang up and sacked me on the spot. I was 15 and devastated, I coulda been the next Sandy Beech, Dusty Rhodes, maybe even Rick O'Shea.

DrumSteve

bucketybuck wrote: »

Then it was hardly unexpected now, was it.

It was if I didnt know when it was going to fire.

harvester of sorrow

harvester of sorrow wrote: »

^^^^
Obviously went out on his own.

Ohhhh

Tail Docker

southcentralts wrote: »

In my first job out of school, there was a daily game of soccer in the yard, I tackled my supervisor who fell off balance (tackle was fair), he fell and although not physically hurt his pride was somewhat dented and after lunch I was called in and summarily executed let go. The prick was smiling in the corner of the room. I was young and accepted the bs they fed me about why I was being let go.

I worked for a company(long time ago) - a new MD was parachuted in, a complete sac tbh who was basically a bullying hatchet wielder. I endured his guff, grudgingly for a few weeks, then lo and behold, someone organised a company 5-a-side. LOL. I made sure to be on the other team to him, and waited till someone passed him the ball and he set off on a "run"..resplendent in his brand new trainers and shorts..

Oh Lordy did he hit the astro-turf like a sack-of-spuds - some big rough type took the legs right out from under him, hard stylee, the full thigh across the knees and up-and-over and down on his head..which was dreadful, obviously, but a firm, fair tackle...sadly, he was stretchered off. There were several big, s***-eating grins tbh. Sports a great leveller.

SimonLynch

Just once when I was at college back in the 80s, worked for a famous chicken takeaway place, they told me it wasn't working. I was mystified but didn't really give a whatever. Was replaced by a 16 year old who at the time they could pay less but wasn't meant to be employed beyond after certain times at night, which he was. This practice was repeated across all other branches.

Funny thing was there was another lad at the branch who was 'indispensable' and was ripping the place off something rotten, I'd thought about saying something but when they couldn't even provide a written reference I left it. Whole chain went out of business not long after, no surprise.

C.K Dexter Haven

The One Doctor wrote: »

I was handed my notice today and while it wasn't a massive shock (I've seem similar signs in other big companies before receiving a swift boot to my overfed arse) or my fault it's still not particularly pleasant. Our first baby is currently in the plush residence of my girlfriend's womb and will be evicted in December, so there's no massive hurry and we've some savings, but still, needs must.

So AHers, have you ever experienced the heavy hand of unexpected unemployment rearrange you jaw?

Must say, you sound pretty upbeat considering the circumstances- best of luck for getting a new job and your upcoming new born:)

The One Doctor

C.K Dexter Haven wrote: »

Must say, you sound pretty upbeat considering the circumstances- best of luck for getting a new job and your upcoming new born:)

Thanks. I'm always optimistic, and I'm very happy with my life anyway. Looking for a new job is a minor pain in the arse but nothing to worry about. I always find one sooner or later.

gugleguy

The Backwards Man wrote: »

No joke........I coulda been the next Sandy Beech, Dusty Rhodes, maybe even Rick O'Shea.

.....and your dream of becoming the heart throb was crushed......

Sunny Dayz

I was nearing the end of my trainee contract. We were each called into a meeting with the bosses. I was told that my contract was up at the end of the week and once I had finished the jobs I was currently on, I wasn't going to be kept on. I figured what I had on my schedule was another say two weeks work. Came in on Friday - the day my contract was expiring - and was told that my jobs would be handed over to someone else in the firm, here was my P45 and my holiday pay dues and I could go when I tidied off my desk.

Corkgirl210

Yes I can empathise.. first job many years ago.. sitting there one min, gone the next.. told go home, jobs all gone and btw no pay check.. of course we all headed the pub - had no luck in court thereafter... This week though, our boss threatened our jobs.. for no reason other than he wanted to because he didn't know how to control/fix a situation......... lovely people out there! ;o) Nothing like a bit of financial insecurity to keep your morale up! Best of luck OP, hopefully you will get another job & congrats on the new addition.

Going Strong

Rayanne2010 wrote: »

Yes I can empathise.. first job many years ago.. sitting there one min, gone the next.. told go home, jobs all gone and btw no pay check.. of course we all headed the pub - had no luck in court thereafter... This week though, our boss threatened our jobs.. for no reason other than he wanted to because he didn't know how to control/fix a situation......... lovely people out there! ;o) Nothing like a bit of financial insecurity to keep your morale up! Best of luck OP, hopefully you will get another job & congrats on the new addition.

Yes, a former housemate of mine worked in a place that used to have 2-3 random sackings per month "To keep us on our toes." Basically, the boss would walk the floor and decide to sack someone leaving his middle management team to come up with an excuse after the fact. Unsurpisingly, morale was at rock bottom.

metaoblivia

The job I had before my current one tried to let me go stealthily. In the summer they announced a move and merge to take place in December 2013. Of course it meant that the admin staff was going to be cut because when two companies merge, they don't need two full admin staffs. I was told I was going over with them, though and that people from the other office would be let go. But I didn't believe them - so I started job hunting immediately.

Sure enough, in December, on our last day in the old office (which I had packed up all by myself and gotten ready to move), they called me in and let me go. They were overstaffed and had to cut 2 or 3 more people in addition to me. It was two weeks before Christmas. They offered no severance pay and didn't even intend on paying me for coming in that day. Just, "Thanks for working for us for two years, we no longer need you, let us know if you need a letter of recommendation, good luck and Merry Christmas."

But as it turned out, I didn't need a letter of recommendation because the very next day, I not only got a job offer, but that offer was 3 times what I had been paid working for them. When my old boss found out - he didn't even have the balls to fire me himself, he had pawned it off on his partner - he got super mad that I had used personal days to go on interviews (I had told them I had some personal business to deal with) and that I was telling people I was let go two weeks before Christmas with no warning and no severance pay because it made them look bad. One of the most glorious moments of my life was telling that asshole that, A. Had they been honest with me about their plans to let me go in December once they moved, I would have been honest with them about my job search and B. If you you don't want to "look bad" as an employer don't do sh!tty things to your employees. And he backed right off. He was kind of bully, so I think he wasn't used to someone standing up to him.

But yeah! That's my story. Very happy at my new job, by the way. I do a lot more, work with great people and thoroughly enjoy it. Sometimes getting fired works out for the best.

The One Doctor

metaoblivia wrote: »

The job I had before my current one tried to let me go stealthily. In the summer they announced a move and merge to take place in December 2013. Of course it meant that the admin staff was going to be cut because when two companies merge, they don't need two full admin staffs. I was told I was going over with them, though and that people from the other office would be let go. But I didn't believe them - so I started job hunting immediately.

Sure enough, in December, on our last day in the old office (which I had packed up all by myself and gotten ready to move), they called me in and let me go. They were overstaffed and had to cut 2 or 3 more people in addition to me. It was two weeks before Christmas. They offered no severance pay and didn't even intend on paying me for coming in that day. Just, "Thanks for working for us for two years, we no longer need you, let us know if you need a letter of recommendation, good luck and Merry Christmas."

But as it turned out, I didn't need a letter of recommendation because the very next day, I not only got a job offer, but that offer was 3 times what I had been paid working for them. When my old boss found out - he didn't even have the balls to fire me himself, he had pawned it off on his partner - he got super mad that I had used personal days to go on interviews (I had told them I had some personal business to deal with) and that I was telling people I was let go two weeks before Christmas with no warning and no severance pay because it made them look bad. One of the most glorious moments of my life was telling that asshole that, A. Had they been honest with me about their plans to let me go in December once they moved, I would have been honest with them about my job search and B. If you you don't want to "look bad" as an employer don't do sh!tty things to your employees. And he backed right off. He was kind of bully, so I think he wasn't used to someone standing up to him.

But yeah! That's my story. Very happy at my new job, by the way. I do a lot more, work with great people and thoroughly enjoy it. Sometimes getting fired works out for the best.

Fair play to you! Not quite three times the money, but I got a serious bump in pay by being made redundant in my last job and the next job started a week later. And now, just a day after being given my notice I've already got an interview.