Foo - Getting fired from the job. Advice.

I need some advice from anyone who has some.

I had been working a job as a busboy at a large restaurant since Mid-august to help pay for school. On Friday, The day before I was leaving to spend time with my grandparents in tucson, i was called into the mangers office and got the "This is the least favorite part of my job speech" and then let go of. I asked why and was told it came from the top. Namley, a surly owner who dosent like anyone.

I walked out totally bewildered and confused. I really thought I was doing a good job, and was on good terms with my co-workers. I couldnt belive this, and after talking to one of the cooks and hearing about the drastic january drop off, things started to make sense. My whole job there was seasonal, Without anything upfront about it.

I guess i just want to know if i have any recourse on this. It came so abbruptly that if i was spending alot of money, It could have really messed things up for me. Thanks for taking the time to read this, please let me know if you have any thoughts. Also, i live in the state of oregon, if that helps.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's much you can do except look for another job. Oregon is an at-will employment state I believe. Unless you have some form of contract then an employer may discharge you for any reason or even for no reason at all. You might want to check to see if you qualify for unemployment benefits while you job-hunt.

Thanks for clarifying that, it just makes me angry that a business could be so devious about someones job. I guess that saves me from making a fool of myself if i ever went back there.

I'm sure you'd have some recourse if you had proof of wrongdoing on their part. Not that you'd want to pay for a lawsuit and unless they explained their evil plan like some comic book villian while you recorded it, they'll just deny it.

Thanks for clarifying that, it just makes me angry that a business could be so devious about someones job. I guess that saves me from making a fool of myself if i ever went back there.

Self employment is the best solution IMO of getting away from this type of thing.

Do you want to earn money for someone else the rest of your life and take the crums they toss you or do you want to take charge of your future and life.

Just my .02 cents for what it is worth.

Sorry about the job, but it could be a good lesson that will motivate you to take charge and move forward. Do not let this kind of thing make you take a step backwards. Always, always look for the good lesson to be learned.

Ahh Grasshopper, a lesson in commitment learned early. Unless you are the hoovering type, you'll probably experience this kind of about a half a dozen times it your lifetime..

Oncem, they tell me, there was a time when ;loyalty meant something, and It worked both ways. Employees would band together to conquer insurmounatble odds all in the name od 'getting the job done'. Employers knew this and treated them in kind... if things got slow at the mill the employers took it in stride, because soon things would pick up again. And so it went.

Today, try to fine a loyal one of either. Oh how ehtics have changed.

Sam's right... Self employment :-)

Sam's right... Self employment :-)

;)

Only if you are a leader. If you are a herd animal and can only follow then you are doomed to suffer at the hands of corporate @sswipes for the rest of your life. It is also intetresting that sometimes even the herd animals think they are in charge of their destiny yet still settle for the crums they bare offered based on what is considered the accepted industry standard. You don't have to accept $hit friends, you must be strong to break free from the crowd but if you can you will soar above those you once considered your peers.

Don't take the sacking personally. Job security is a myth in the US. Think about this; if you did make a stink and forced the company to take you back, would you enjoy working there? They could make working there miserable for you. Revenge is sweet but the expense of getting the job back is probably not worth the effort, especially for a busboy. If your job paid $50 an hour, then that is a different matter.
I have been working for about 40 years and in that time lost two jobs. One when they closed the plant, and the other had similar circumstances to yours – one of the big guys didn't like me. I ended up getting a new job at a company that is on the Forbes 100 best companies to work for list and it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love it here.
You asked for advice so here it is: Do whatever it takes to finish school then get a good job in a good company, or start your own.

That seasonal thing happens a lot here in Branson, MO. Employers will promise year-round work so you will take the job, then they let you go in mid-december when the tour busses stop coming.

Living in a resort this is common practice, especially in restaurants. Take it as it is, an experience.

My advice, don't spend paycheque to paycheque. Save the salary and save what you can when you can. When you have savings then start spending.

Also, will they give you a reference? Since the firing seems seasonal they may still give a reference?

I had a job last year and it sounded great. (Working for a multimedia company website). The pay was fantastic, everyone was young and cool but I was fired in a month. The guy who was my immediate superior was just one of those guys who doesn't get along with anyone, and from the day I got there I was warned about him. He couldn't even come up with a real reason for firing me, except that he didn't think I would be able to handle the job. Anyways, as it turns out, I found out recently that this type of thing is par for the course at this company. People who I talked to were surprised I lasted a month! nearly everyone who was there when I was, are now gone and they laid of a ton of people. I think they're in trouble from poor management. At the time though I was absolutely devastated because I'd been looking for a job for months and couldn't figure out what I had done wrong. As it turns out, at least it wasn't something I did. The guy is a d*ck and a lousy manager.

I had been working a job as a busboy at a large restaurant since Mid-august to help pay for school. On Friday, The day before I was leaving to spend time with my grandparents in tucson, i was called into the mangers office and got the "This is the least favorite part of my job speech" and then let go of. I asked why and was told it came from the top. Namley, a surly owner who dosent like anyone.


It sounds like that manager was a wimp. It's so much easier to make a non-commital excuse that "it came from the top" than to have the balls to tell you straight to your face. I'll bet you're right about the January slowdown, the manager likely felt bad about hiring you then laying you off but couldn't admit his own mistake (either not telling you that you were seasonal or not adequately planning his staffing levels and/or budget). Alternatively you were bumped because he had a favourite employee that was hired on a term and he needed you job for that person.

The best advice I can give you is to leave on good terms and use his guilt to get you a great reference. I'd also ask for the firing and reasons for that in a letter. That way, if he tries to give you a bad reference later you can take him to a labour relations board based on the content of the letter.

It's funny you mention "this is the least favourite part of my job" line. That phrase has been in my head all weekend. I supervise 6 people and I just filled one of my positions with someone from another department. On Monday, I have to tell the other applicant (who's in my group and really wanted the job) that he didn't get the job and then I have to try to regain his trust and respect because he really does a excellent job in his current position. *That's* difficult management... not laying off a guy you'll never see again.

motion5447, unfortunately you're in a field where layoffs are common but luckily job openings are common. Keep at it until you're out of school then land a nice union job :D I hate unions but I work a union job and it's nice to know that I can't be canned without a very good reason in writing. I can't be fired for job performance unless it's documented and discussed with me three times... more than enough time to correct the problem and if I do get laid off I can just bump a more junior person out of their position :D

Seriously though, I'm lucky enough to work for a great supervisor that cares about her staff and I know she'd never pull that kind of crap on me. One day you'll find a job with that kind of comfort... good luck.

Move to Los Angeles and I can get you hired, I just had one of my employees fired...damn slackers!

I had a job last year and it sounded great. (Working for a multimedia company website). The pay was fantastic, everyone was young and cool but I was fired in a month. The guy who was my immediate superior was just one of those guys who doesn't get along with anyone, and from the day I got there I was warned about him. He couldn't even come up with a real reason for firing me, except that he didn't think I would be able to handle the job.

Crap, you don't live in Victoria do you? That sounds exactly like my friend's former employer. His company was lying to customers about software delivery dates (this is software that's not even completed yet) and screwing them on add-on pricing. My friend is quite an honest guy and this put him in a tough spot.

The company had no real supervisory structure and the owner was very hands-on. My friend once got diciplined (with yelling) duing a conference call between the owner, him and a couple of managers.

My friend thought he'd landed his dream job and within a month realized he was in hell. He got laid off by email because his "negative attitude was causing problems". After that he did some research and discovered what slime his boss really was.

I've spent the entire night and morning thinking about this, it really all turned into a blur once i walked out of there. The reason being, one of the waiters, and a good friend of mine had told me about his cutting back of his hours. I had relayed this to one of the other managers "the cool one", and he asked me a few questions about my avalibility for the waiters hours. So i was planning on spending a nice christmas with my grandparents and coming back to a nice new job with tips. Then i learned just how expendable we are when i talked to my friend this morning and he had a similar story. He got fired a few hours before me. Most likely because he was asking for certain hours to conform to his class scheduel.

I've debated going back there and as eloquently as i can telling them what F ing crap there employee care is. But then i relized, im glad, i have a good bike tour coming up soon, and was caught up in work anyway. This is a good way to find somthing new.

If you were working at least 35 hours a week, go for unemployment.

It doesn't sound like you would have legal recourse. If he groped you then fired you... then you'd have a case! Get back in there, slugger! ;)

Seriously, though. Firing someone for doing seasonal work is not against the law. But if you were a full time employee, definitely go for the unemployment. If you go in now, you could see it kick in by mid-January, and hopefully, the extra money can get you through until you find a new job.

Or go self-employed. Find something you're good at that you can market about yourself, and just get out there and do it.

Koffee

I supervise 6 people and I just filled one of my positions with someone from another department. On Monday, I have to tell the other applicant (who's in my group and really wanted the job) that he didn't get the job and then I have to try to regain his trust and respect because he really does a excellent job in his current position. *That's* difficult management... not laying off a guy you'll never see again.



Simple. I have been in that position before. Just tell the truth. Or something similar. You needed that guy for the team and the only way to get him was to offer a better position than what he had in the other department. Tell your guy he didn't do anything wrong and he will still be in the running the next time a promotion is available.

Bullship... He'll be thinking... "That SOB! Next time my ass. I need that extra $xxx NOW, not in six months! What's so special about that guy that you have to brobe him on to the team?"

Been there, done that... middle managers are incompotent castrated go-betweens!

Simple. I have been in that position before. Just tell the truth. Or something similar. You needed that guy for the team and the only way to get him was to offer a better position than what he had in the other department. Tell your guy he didn't do anything wrong and he will still be in the running the next time a promotion is available.

That's the basic plan. Actually we're going to tell him that and then tell him that we're going to work with HR to get his job reclassified at a higher level. He is classed too low where he is for the duties he performs (something I inherited 3 weeks ago when I became the supervisor of this group).

It should go well but it's hard when someone else can swoop in and take a job that you're qualified for. I know, it happened to me in April.

I need some advice from anyone who has some.
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Stock up on tyres, and ride ride ride :p

Stock up on tyres, and ride ride ride :p

Great advice. I did just that when I got fired for the first time a couple of years ago.

Try to get the reference letter, but being laid off is pretty common. So, if a perspective employer asks, be honest without saying anything negative about your past employer (who obviously was sadly lacking in supervisory skills).

go to school if ya can.

It's funny you mention "this is the least favourite part of my job" line. That phrase has been in my head all weekend. I supervise 6 people and I just filled one of my positions with someone from another department. On Monday, I have to tell the other applicant (who's in my group and really wanted the job) that he didn't get the job and then I have to try to regain his trust and respect because he really does a excellent job in his current position. *That's* difficult management... not laying off a guy you'll never see again.
Please be sure to explain to the guy who didn't get the job what he can do to improve his chances next time. Not getting a position you thought you were good enough for sucks. Being told what to do to get the next one helps you grow, and shows that management cares about you.

F1, no I don't live in victoria. It shows you that employers like that are everywhere, unfortunately.

Sorry to hear about your job loss. It sucks, I know, I've been there more then once. I agree with those that have responded to this. Don't let your spirits get to low about this. Go to the unemployment office & register for benefits. Khuon mentioned that Oregon is a at-will state, which I assume is the same thing as a no-fault state. That means an employer can let you go for any reason. But they have to be willing to pay for you unemployment benefits if they do so. Provided of course you qualify for them. At the very least by registering you will have easier access to potential job contacts even if you will not receive benefits.

Good luck.

Bullship... He'll be thinking... "That SOB! Next time my ass. I need that extra $xxx NOW, not in six months! What's so special about that guy that you have to brobe him on to the team?"

Been there, done that... middle managers are incompotent castrated go-betweens!

Hughdamright, this song and dance while in a few cases might actually be true does not sing well with competent hard working people trying and seeking better opportunities. Do not be surprised if this employee decides to find another employer after being denyed a position he knows he is qualified for.

Been there and done that myself. A self confident hard worker does not have to sit and wait for crums tossed out at the whims of the company.

I looked into unemployement, they fired me a week befor the minimum number you need to qualify. I would have qualifyed for hours worked, but no deal.

God, i really miss free seafood pasta and ceasar salads. Thats about it.

Food Service Industry... jobs are a dime a dozen and therefore bosses, managers & owners treat their employees like they're disposable for the most part.

Take it all as a blessing, move on, get another gig, don't look for recourse (it's only one job out of many you'll do in your lifetime plus you're young so ignore advice that comes from those that are all too concerned with the Blame Game instead of just getting on with sh|t and moving forward. Wallowing in muck & finger-pointing only creates a bitter person)... chalk it up to being a Life Lesson.

Go for a ride, drink a nice cup of coffee, thank the Spirit's for the day, buy a newspaper near the end of your ride, sit down and circle some jobs that seem interesting to you... and tomorrow get up, make some calls, set up some interviews, do some interviews and get on with getting your groove back.

Food Service Industry... jobs are a dime a dozen and therefore bosses, managers & owners treat their employees like they're disposable for the most part.

Take it all as a blessing, move on, get another gig, don't look for recourse (it's only one job out of many you'll do in your lifetime plus you're young so ignore advice that comes from those that are all too concerned with the Blame Game instead of just getting on with sh|t and moving forward. Wallowing in muck & finger-pointing only creates a bitter person)... chalk it up to being a Life Lesson.

Go for a ride, drink a nice cup of coffee, thank the Spirit's for the day, buy a newspaper near the end of your ride, sit down and circle some jobs that seem interesting to you... and tomorrow get up, make some calls, set up some interviews, do some interviews and get on with getting your groove back.



Thats probably the best way to do it

Be thankfull you are not in mid-life with a pile 'o bills and wife/kids to support....