# Job Related Hell **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 23, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567 "2011-06-23T15:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/21 "2011-06-23T20:48:06Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > First, I cannot say the name of where I work, and if you KNOW, I beg of you to not to put it in this thread. We were informed yesterday that they actually have people in the company whose job it is to Google the company name to see what’s being said about it, and if you are caught saying anything negative, you will be fired. This is another Google service called **Google Alerts**. It began as a service to let sales people know when their products are being talked about. Say that your company is selling a product called “SomeCrap”, every time that SomeCrap is mentioned on the web an alert is sent to the sales rep so they can respond. I have seen several instances on this board where someone will inquire if a product is any good, and a few posts in you see a newly registered poster who just happens to be a sales rep for the stuff. Particularly with ‘snake-oil’ type stuff, to shout down the negatives and provide sales fluff. How do they find these threads so fast? Google Alerts! > **[Google Alerts - Monitor the Web for interesting new content](https://www.google.com/alerts)** This tool is now being used by Human Resource departments to track and deal with any comments a poster might make about the organization or company they are working for. They plug in a few key words that identify the product or company and just monitor what is being said. Right after I post this, some one at SomeCrap, Inc. is going to start wondering who this \*\*Dallas Jones \*\*is and whether or not to respond in some way. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/22 "2011-06-23T21:37:38Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Sorry, I’m not clear on this. What is the presumed benefit to the company by enforcing a quality standard that no one can practically meet? I don’t understand it, either, but I could name a half dozen to a dozen companies I’m aware of that do _exactly_ that… which I won’t name out of deference to the OP. It’s like someone in management gets the notion you can make things _absolutely perfect_ if you just “evaluate” people enough. Yeah right - all it takes is one dick customer to screw up your best employee. OP - if you are fired STILL apply for unemployed, and if you’re turned down contest it. It’s a bit of a process, but sometimes you can wind up winning. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/23 "2011-06-23T21:49:49Z")
I think it’s done to get rid of people and hire new ones at minimal pay. They hope the people will believe that they can’t get unemployment benefits to save even more money. They’re going to have to hire new people to replace the old ones, and those people won’t do as good a job starting on day one. The MBAs run the world now, and they’ll do anything to save money. Quality can just be redefined. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/24 "2011-06-23T21:51:42Z")
Based on my personal experience as an employer, the employee ALWAYS gets unemployment. I have fired two people where I have contested the unemployment. One consistently abused company equipment, ignored instructions and had numerous written warnings before being fired after simply not showing up and not calling. The other was fired after threatening to physically assault the boss (me) to several other workers. She also had received written warnings about her attitude. Both employees qualified for unemployment and I will be paying the extra charges for the next 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/25 "2011-06-24T00:02:49Z")
I have been fired from 2 jobs in the past. The first was a medical courier route and they added 124 miles to my route with 3 additional stops and gave me 1 additional hour to do this in. When I couldn’t, I was fired because the computer said it was possible. This one I was able to collect unemployment from. The other was a horrible sweat shop of a factory, and I was heavily involved with trying to get a union in, to the point of going to court and testifying against the company because of their lousy labor practices. I was fired from there when they went into the computer system and doctored my absenteeism. Of course I had no proof of that; not being the most organized person in the world, I did not have my check stubs from a year back. This one I was not able to collect unemployment from. And one job I quit because my paychecks were bouncing, and because of the bounced paychecks, my checking account was frozen. Applied for unemployment and it was granted when I told WHY I quit. I do not have good luck with jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/26 "2011-06-24T01:07:01Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > This is exactly the case in my state as well. Incompetence or failing to meet standards isn’t considered just cause for unemployment compensation purposes. The employee’s actions must be something egregious like not showing up, sleeping at work, stealing, etc., as TriPolar stated. The company will of course challenge the unemployment claim, and then you attend a hearing where you present your side and likely win. The companies are very quiet about this because they don’t want employees to know that they are entitled. Same in my state. “For cause” doesn’t necessarily mean they can set any arbitrary performance standard they want and expect you to meet it. And even if you are fired, the company may not want to use the resources it would take to contest an unemployment claim. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/27 "2011-06-24T03:38:22Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > I have been fired from 2 jobs in the past. The first was a medical courier route and they added 124 miles to my route with 3 additional stops and gave me 1 additional hour to do this in. When I couldn’t, I was fired because the computer said it was possible. This one I was able to collect unemployment from. > > The other was a horrible sweat shop of a factory, and I was heavily involved with trying to get a union in, to the point of going to court and testifying against the company because of their lousy labor practices. I was fired from there when they went into the computer system and doctored my absenteeism. Of course I had no proof of that; not being the most organized person in the world, I did not have my check stubs from a year back. This one I was not able to collect unemployment from. > > And one job I quit because my paychecks were bouncing, and because of the bounced paychecks, my checking account was frozen. Applied for unemployment and it was granted when I told WHY I quit. > > I do not have good luck with jobs. Oh, honey. Two firings, two successful unemployment claims and trying to unionize? Publicly? You admit you’re not the most organized person in the world, that you’re irritable, physically disabled and that you cry before you go into work every day? This is a total tough-love question: If you were an employer, would you want to hire someone like you? ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/28 "2011-06-24T04:25:10Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > First, I cannot say the name of where I work, and if you KNOW, I beg of you to not to put it in this thread. I don’t know where you work. But I have a friend who worked for a very similar company with similar standards, and at a certain point, she couldn’t meet them. Let’s say the standards were adjusted for quality and for time, and she felt she couldn’t meet the time standard without occasionally disconnecting people whose problems were a little more complicated. She’s getting unemployment. The ruling was nicely phrased with something about her being unable to violate her personal ethical service standards in order to follow the company’s strict policy. So…incompetence is one thing, but if you can phrase it in some other way (I loved that “violate her personal ethical service standards” line) it can look different. So if it’s that kind of situation, it might be okay. Or your state might be different. But I hope you don’t lose your job (until you’ve found a better one). Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/29 "2011-06-24T05:20:40Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > Oh, honey. Two firings, two successful unemployment claims and trying to unionize? Publicly? You admit you’re not the most organized person in the world, that you’re irritable, physically disabled and that you cry before you go into work every day? This is a total tough-love question: If you were an employer, would you want to hire someone like you? Wow… did you even read what I wrote? I was not the only one trying to get the factory uninonized. In fact I was approached by others who began the organization. I am irritable BECAUSE of my job, I can’t fucking help the fact that I am disabled (I guess those of us who are should just be shot, huh?) and no one but my dogs know that I cry before work. But hey, thanks for your vote of confidence, umkay? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/30 "2011-06-24T05:53:27Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > Oh, honey. Two firings, two successful unemployment claims and trying to unionize? Publicly? You admit you’re not the most organized person in the world, that you’re irritable, physically disabled and that you cry before you go into work every day? This is a total tough-love question: If you were an employer, would you want to hire someone like you? What did this have to do with the OP? Did you just feel like kicking somebody who was down? Nice, calling it “tough love”. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/31 "2011-06-24T07:43:11Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > Wow… did you even read what I wrote? Yes, I read everything you wrote. You weren’t the only one but you were “heavily involved” and testified against the company in court. Tried to claim unemployment when they fired you (probably in retaliation, which blows) but were unsuccessful. Fired from another company with a successful unemployment claim. Quit another with another successful claim. Laid off from your last job. You can’t stand, walk or lift things. Admits to being disorganized, irritable, weepy (to dogs) and not liking the job. You’re always on time and get along with your co-workers but keep mostly to yourself. I’m sorry you’re stressed and as per your OP, my suggestion would be to reflect inward. Also, look for a new job. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/32 "2011-06-24T08:12:28Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > What did this have to do with the OP? Did you just feel like kicking somebody who was down? Nice, calling it “tough love”. Why, hello White Knight. The OP asked for good suggestions and I suggested that the OP might not be an ideal employee. Good is relative: It may not be what OP wants to hear but it is a good suggestion. And yes, tough love. You know how when someone complains about a string of bad romances others whisper about a common denominator? Well, I’m not whispering behind OP’s back, I’m actually saying, “Hey, have you ever thought it might be (probably is) you?” Perhaps you’d prefer that I just send hugs and fairy dust OP’s way? {{{{ ~~~_~~~ _\*\*~~~}}}} Yay! Everything is better! ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/33 "2011-06-24T08:58:21Z")
This _is_ MPSIMS - it’s where hugs and fairy dust happen. If this was in the pit, or even in IMHO you’d not get any grief for your tough love, but it’s all love and snuggles in MPSIMS, even if you may have a valid point or two. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/34 "2011-06-24T14:52:15Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > Why, hello White Knight. The OP asked for good suggestions and I suggested that the OP might not be an ideal employee. Good is relative: It may not be what OP wants to hear but it is a good suggestion. > > And yes, tough love. You know how when someone complains about a string of bad romances others whisper about a common denominator? Well, I’m not whispering behind OP’s back, I’m actually saying, “Hey, have you ever thought it might be (probably is) you?” > > Perhaps you’d prefer that I just send hugs and fairy dust OP’s way? {{{{ ~~~_~~~ _\*\*~~~}}}} Yay! Everything is better! And you know, some of us are handicapped, stuck in a specific area that is not job rich, and have to suck up doing telephone customer service for companies that fuck over their employees to get away with not paying unemployment. Stress is fucking hell. Sucking it up is what is causing her to cry before going to work. Hell, I got outsourced out of 3 jobs in a row, and laid off because of the whole financial evil empire crumble, what should I do, take a gun and shoot myself in the head so I don’t disturb your leisurely read of the dope? ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/35 "2011-06-24T15:08:52Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > Yes, I read everything you wrote. You weren’t the only one but you were “heavily involved” and testified against the company in court. Tried to claim unemployment when they fired you (probably in retaliation, which blows) but were unsuccessful. Fired from another company with a successful unemployment claim. Quit another with another successful claim. Laid off from your last job. You can’t stand, walk or lift things. Admits to being disorganized, irritable, weepy (to dogs) and not liking the job. You’re always on time and get along with your co-workers but keep mostly to yourself. > > I’m sorry you’re stressed and as per your OP, my suggestion would be to reflect inward. Also, look for a new job. Y’know, I’m fine with putting blame where blame belongs, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the case in this particular job, and I’m not sure how your contribution does anything to help the OP. “Your employer’s deliberately created impossible standards so they can fire anyone they want in your department, they’ve already shitcanned a ton of people and you’re worried your job might be next? Maybe it’s your fault! Wow, look at your job history, looks like you’re going to have a hard time finding a new one! Perhaps you should smile more. Or not be so disabled next time. Good luck with that!” Seriously, that’s how you’re coming across. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/36 "2011-06-24T15:14:56Z")
I’ve been fired from two jobs, laid off from a couple and quit one in the last few years. I rolled with all that, but I’m in a more precarious financial position now and if I had to worry that my current job was setting me up to fail so they could fire me knowing there are few other job options available, I would be crying and hugging my dogs a lot too. Big hug. Document, document, document. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/37 "2011-06-24T15:48:01Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > (I guess those of us who are should just be shot, huh?) > [@aruvqan](#): > > …what should I do, take a gun and shoot myself in the head… I’m not sure where either of you are getting that I suggested or implied shooting yourselves but thanks for the hyperbole. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/38 "2011-06-24T16:40:56Z")
Two things 1. Keep trying to do your best 2. Take steps towards finding a new job or at least being prepared for unemployment a) Get your resume up-to-date b) Think about what a reasonable new job that you might enjoy would look like c) Think about what stands between you and that job d) Take steps towards that job e) Try to save up some money in case you lose your current job Best of luck! Going somewhere that you dread every day is no fun. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/39 "2011-06-24T16:48:08Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > Oh, honey. Two firings, two successful unemployment claims and trying to unionize? Publicly? You admit you’re not the most organized person in the world, that you’re irritable, **physically disabled** and that you cry before you go into work every day? This is a total tough-love question: If you were an employer, would you want to hire someone like you? It is against the law to discriminate against people with disabilities who can do the job. it is also against the law to retaliate against someone who file for Workers compensation, and it is also against the law to retaliate against people attempting to lawfully unionize a workplace. Employers do it all the time, of course, but it makes them lawbreaking dicks, not **Papsett** a bad employee. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567/40 "2011-06-24T19:24:10Z")
> [@Sue\_Duhnym](#): > > I’m not sure where either of you are getting that I suggested or implied shooting yourselves but thanks for the hyperbole. :rolleyes: Well, I can’t be any _LESS_ disabled. It isn’t exactly voluntary you know, I mean I admit to getting 12 gauge earrings, and a small tattoo - those were voluntary. The CPPD, osteoarthritis, femoral acetabular impingements, sacral impingements and spinal stenosis were really not my idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-related-hell/586567.md?page=3)