# Oh shit. I think I'm about to be fired **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 30, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911 "2003-07-30T14:40:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/41 "2003-07-30T20:11:06Z")
Document your potential problem callers and approach your boss before she approachs you! Good luck. Glad you didn’t get fired. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/42 "2003-07-30T20:14:17Z")
Hang in there, Otto. You stuck up for yourself really well, you know. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/43 "2003-07-30T20:14:30Z")
Man, that sucks, **Otto**. I’ve been there too. I once got written up because I had an expression on my face that was less than thrilled because someone had screwed up a customer’s order (NOT ME), and I had to re-do it, at _great_ inconvenience to me, and to my other customers. Less than thrilled, I think was how it was described to me. Glad to hear you’re still employed ! but it sounds like you’re better off working elsewhere, in a more positive environment. Maybe this morning’s stress has kick-started you into thinking about a switch? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/44 "2003-07-30T20:20:04Z")
Well perhaps this gives you some time to find a new job, but continue to collect a check. Good luck, I’ll continue sending those luck vibes your direction. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/45 "2003-07-30T20:22:18Z")
Aren’t these complaint calls monitored? Couldn’t HR, or your boss, go back and see if you really _are_ as rotton to the customers as the customers claim you are. Your salvation could be on the tapes. And did you _have_ to sign that statement they gave you. It’s my rule of thumb not to put my “Happy Lendervedder” on anything I don’t absolutely have to. Happy ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/46 "2003-07-30T20:24:45Z")
That bites **Otto**. Super-secret probation sounds rather creepy. Is it possible to tape your calls, or have the company tape them, during this period? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/47 "2003-07-30T20:27:06Z")
**Isabelle** has a great point. Document all your problem callers. It’s harder for HR to take action against situations that are documented. If you are without paper backing, you’re gonna have a rough battle. That said, good luck. I wish you the best…but post your resume anway. You never know what you might luck into given the right opportunity, then you won’t have to worry about the negative atmosphere you’re in now. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/48 "2003-07-30T20:28:35Z")
I’m glad you’re not fired but I’m not happy you’re screwed. Was your old boss fired or promoted? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/49 "2003-07-30T20:47:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Was your old boss fired or promoted? Promoted. The company added a new layer of middle management lard. The supervisor became the associate manager, the “mentors” (senior reps) became the supervisors and the two people in my position who had been groomed for the last year to the exclusion of the rest of us became the mentors. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/50 "2003-07-30T21:00:57Z")
Otto, I don’t mean to a downer, but I would start looking for a job right now! In my experience, probation usually means that they are trying to build a paper trail in order to fire you. I hope I’m wrong and I wish you luck ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/51 "2003-07-30T21:04:46Z")
Is this an instance of HR “creating a paper trail” to justify future . . . actions . . . ? ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/52 "2003-07-30T21:23:43Z")
I’m so sorry, Otto. That is really nasty. Can you talk to your former boss? Will that person stick up for you in this situation? ---
**Author:** ![yoyo3500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5daacb/32.png) [@yoyo3500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyo3500)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/53 "2003-07-30T21:29:58Z")
Hang in there Otto. Oh, and I must take exception to the adjective you give your boss as I do respect the decent reputation of famale dogs… ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/54 "2003-07-30T21:35:51Z")
Otto, I understand your position. The word “no” doesn’t go over well. Numerous times I said no as per policy, had people go over my head to my boss, and been overruled. In fact, just about EVERY time someone complains up the line, they get what they want despite policy. I’ve been trying to follow rules as laid out by my boss, and I am continuously undercut. It’s very frustrating. Fortunately for me, my boss does not take this as a failing on my part. We’re in the process of coming up with new policies, and the rewrite has been stuck at upper management for nearly a year. Why? Because the “real” policy can’t be put in writing; it is, “If you have a friend in upper management, don’t worry about the written policy.” ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/55 "2003-07-30T21:44:44Z")
Otto can you go to your personal departmen, not your current Boss and explain how you think that your current manager isnt very nice to you etc. etc. Because personally I think its very strange that you would get the highest reviews possible under the old manager and now you need improvement? Please! I think your manager has it in for you, and you should be able to sort somehting out with your Personal Department if this is the case. ---
**Author:** ![Kallessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@Kallessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kallessa)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/56 "2003-07-30T21:46:21Z")
[climbing on to soapbox] This is why workers need unions. [/climbing down from soapbox] Sorry this is happening to you, **Otto**. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horrifying_Howler_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/57 "2003-07-30T21:51:44Z")
**Otto** that stinks, I am sorry for you. Best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Kobaltblu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@Kobaltblu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobaltblu)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/58 "2003-07-30T21:57:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*See you should be working and not tooling about on the SDMB!! > > Whatever you do…don’t cry. No one likes a cry baby. Take it like a man! > > Good luck \*\* Not knowing the work situation, and how his time can be used, that was a bit of a harsh judgement, Isabelle, which was then followed up with a useless piece of advice that most career consultants suggest to avoid doing but say a reaction like that is perfectly human, and can be mended. Well, Otto, having been in similar situations, I can empathize. Sometimes things like that are out of your hands. I’ve been in customer service, and worked a call center, where, due to a new automated system, the only calls we got all day long were customers who, out of the gate, were on the attack. I’d suggest if your company has union representation, to consult your shop steward. In addition, diary your issues on a case-by-case basis, so that if anything occurs, you will have documentation to either bolster your position or to prove your side. More enlightened work environments don’t put people in a stressful situation where they are aware that a negative situation awaits them. It’s bad for everyone else involved, and is a supreme morale destructor. ---
**Author:** ![im2evil4u](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5ac83/32.png) [@im2evil4u](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/im2evil4u)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/59 "2003-07-30T23:54:00Z")
What bullshit! My customers complain about me all the time, yet I bend over backwards to make the customer happy, even if it means breaking the rules in extreme situations. I’m curious Otto, have you been given the “leeway” to break a rule or two here and there depending upon the situation? Or have you been told outright not to bend at all? ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911/60 "2003-07-31T00:20:26Z")
Darn, I was thinking I could have sold you one of my new [tee shirts](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=201251). Seriously, I’m glad it wasn’t (that bad of) news. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-i-think-im-about-to-be-fired/191911.md?page=4)