Ever been fired unexpectedly?

Ray Palmer · 29-05-2014 04:42PM

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.

29-05-2014 04:43PM

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 · 29-05-2014 04:55PM

^^^^

Obviously went out on his own.

Maphisto · 29-05-2014 04:59PM

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 · 29-05-2014 05:03PM

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 · 29-05-2014 05:14PM

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 · 29-05-2014 05:17PM

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 · 29-05-2014 05:57PM

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 · 29-05-2014 06:07PM

bucketybuck wrote: »

Then it was hardly unexpected now, was it.

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

29-05-2014 09:51PM

harvester of sorrow wrote: »

^^^^
Obviously went out on his own.

Ohhhh

Tail Docker · 29-05-2014 10:12PM

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 · 29-05-2014 10:21PM

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 · 29-05-2014 10:29PM

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 · 30-05-2014 08:59AM

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 · 30-05-2014 09:35AM

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 · 30-05-2014 10:30AM

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 · 30-05-2014 10:30AM

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 · 30-05-2014 12:59PM

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 · 30-05-2014 05:38PM

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 · 30-05-2014 11:24PM

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.

The One Doctor · 04-06-2014 01:26PM

Ironically, a week after being given notice my contract has been extended until October.

Happy days!

Butterface · 04-06-2014 02:04PM

When I was around 19 I got let go from a call centre after about a week of cold-calling. I absolutely hated it and was delighted to be fired. I don't think I got paid for the week either.

cletus van damme · 04-06-2014 02:18PM

been fired twice. Both within 6 month probabtion.
great things happened to me immediately after both events so didn't work out too bad.
Have to say i didn't see either coming but I knew both werent working out too good.

redundancy would have been nice.
In 2nd of those roles the manager promised me a month's salary but they only paid me 2 weeks - I rang the HR and they told me to f-off and read the T&Cs.
anyway it was ****e place i was only hanging on so it wouldn't look too bad on my cv leaving a job after 5 month.
Didn't matter in the end.

had 6 interviews in 2 weeks, bagged a lovely role and brought my son away to legoland between that and the start date.

Ruu · 04-06-2014 02:20PM

Yes, I work for a chap named Montgomery Burns. I must have been fired at least 10 times, always get my job back some way or another.

grundie · 04-06-2014 02:22PM

I was made redundant a few years back. I was taken on to work on R&D stuff as the owner expected their business to thrive in a recession - it didn't.

He did it one week before my two year mark, so no redundancy money.

I would have left it at that, but two things happened. A rival firm tried to head hunt me and that drove the owner of the original company in to a frenzy that involved me having to get a restraining order against him. He claimed I was passing on trade secrets and came to my home every night for a week demanding I sign paperwork promising never to work in the field of invoicing software ever again. He said if I didn't he would tell the Guards I had stolen his code and passed it on to a rival.

Secondly he advertised for replacement two days after I completed the 30 day notice period. He was hiring a junior developer at a much lower salary, by rights he should have asked me if I was interested before making me redundant.

I took him to a tribunal and got a few grand out of it.

The owner was a bit odd. He ranted at my solicitor about why I wasn't taking his demands to sign his paperwork seriously, my solicitor responded by telling him the fact that I was seeking a restraining order was as serious as I could possibly take the matter. After I won the tribunal case, the owner had another rant at my solicitor telling him i had ruined his plans to cut costs by making other devs redundant and rehiring new ones at lower cost. My solicitor had to advise him to shut up as he was taking notes and they could come back to haunt him.

Going Strong · 04-06-2014 02:34PM

The One Doctor wrote: »

Ironically, a week after being given notice my contract has been extended until October.

Happy days!

Hooray!

A while back now but I had the opposite happen. I was told my contract was being extended and that I'd be joining a new project. Two weeks before my current contract expired, I was at a couple of meetings about the new project and got taken to a newly fitted out room and told "Pick a desk."

A week before my current contract expired, I was brought in to a meeting and told "Well, good luck and thanks." No explanation given despite me asking why the change of heart. The rest of that week was rather awkward as everyone tried to pretend I wasn't there at all.

wonski · 04-06-2014 02:41PM

I was fired only once, but I didn't mind at all. I gave a 1 month's notice letter and 1 week later my manager called me into his office to inform me that he was going to fire me anyway

(good timing) and asked me to leave. Fully paid for the whole month so happy days.

Spent a lovely summer in Ireland and got a job just after my final pay from that job.

Ray Palmer · 04-06-2014 03:23PM

wonski wrote: »

I was fired only once, but I didn't mind at all. I gave a 1 month's notice letter and 1 week later my manager called me into his office to inform me that he was going to fire me anyway (good timing) and asked me to leave. Fully paid for the whole month so happy days.

Spent a lovely summer in Ireland and got a job just after my final pay from that job.

I had something similar happen to me. Handed in my notice and a week later my direct manager called me in to fire me. It ended up being a really strange conversation with him telling how he was disappointed in me and that was why I was being fired. I apparently did nothing wrong so when I asked him to explain why he was firing me he couldn't give me a reason. I even tried to give him the logic of needing me out because I was leaving and information was sensitive. No I was fired for no reason other than I disappointed him by handing my notice in. So I went home

The next day I got a call from his manager to ask me to come in and work my notice and I had to explain I had been fired the day before. He didn't know. So a few more calls and a request for me to come in the next day for a chat to sort it out. Said I had made plans and would come in the next day.

Went in and it was basically them apologising for crossed wires and that a mistake had been made by my manager. I completely agreed but said how could I work for them given how terrible they were at their job and that it was the main reason I was leaving. Explaining to them that it would completely undermine his position. In the end they agreed to pay me for the month and had me come in for a few days to do a handover of what I was working on. The manager was out on the days I was in I never got an explanation to why he thought I was to be fired other than them basically saying he misunderstood comments about the fact I was leaving.

wonski · 04-06-2014 03:36PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I had something similar happen to me. Handed in my notice and a week later my direct manager called me in to fire me. It ended up being a really strange conversation with him telling how he was disappointed in me and that was why I was being fired. I apparently did nothing wrong so when I asked him to explain why he was firing me he couldn't give me a reason. I even tried to give him the logic of needing me out because I was leaving and information was sensitive. No I was fired for no reason other than I disappointed him by handing my notice in. So I went home

The next day I got a call from his manager to ask me to come in and work my notice and I had to explain I had been fired the day before. He didn't know. So a few more calls and a request for me to come in the next day for a chat to sort it out. Said I had made plans and would come in the next day.

Went in and it was basically them apologising for crossed wires and that a mistake had been made by my manager. I completely agreed but said how could I work for them given how terrible they were at their job and that it was the main reason I was leaving. Explaining to them that it would completely undermine his position. In the end they agreed to pay me for the month and had me come in for a few days to do a handover of what I was working on. The manager was out on the days I was in I never got an explanation to why he thought I was to be fired other than them basically saying he misunderstood comments about the fact I was leaving.

I was informed by other employees that they had a history of people leaving and doing some damage to the company on last days. That wouldn't apply to me really as i was more than happy with the job itself. The money was the only reason I was leaving, really.

We had an access to sensitive and confidential information, one of the reasons, I guess.

I didn't like their idea of walking me up to the gates without even having a chance to say good bye to everyone.
It was a lovely day and I was happy to be paid for doing nothing for 3 weeks anyway.

Strange things happen when you want to leave...

The One Doctor · 12-06-2014 07:49PM

...and they changed their minds again. 3 weeks of garden leave though, not too bad.

Bugger.

Ever been fired unexpectedly?

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