# Unemployed AGAIN **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 25, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408 "2010-01-25T19:43:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/41 "2010-01-26T18:54:08Z")
A degree qualifies you to be trained to work at a company. They will teach you how they do things and what your job requires. I don’t care how many degrees you have, a company has to break you in and assign duties. If a million bucks was lost, someone was going to get fired. Generally it is the newest person who they will miss the least. Shit travels down hill to the person who is without handi wipes. The satisfy the blood lust ,create an air that the problem has been solved and they can go on with business as usual. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/42 "2010-01-26T19:26:14Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > Well, Jesus, you guys, that sucks. I had no idea I’d been somewhat lucky to avoid that. If anything, I’ve been in jobs where micro-management was the watchword. The OP clearly expected micromanagement and was unable to fulfill his responsibilities in its absence. As someone who does NOT work well under micromanagement, it’s difficult for me to see this as anyone’s fault but the OP. If you’re qualified for the job, you should be capable of seeing what needs to be done to accomplish it. If you have as thorough a lack of initiative as the OP seems to have displayed, to the extent that you won’t assume that B comes after A unless your manager tells you it does, then MBA or not you’re not in the right field. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/43 "2010-01-26T19:35:29Z")
Just wanted to add encouragement and say how sorry I am for your situation. I hope things improve mightly for you soon and the next job stint is a long one. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/44 "2010-01-26T20:02:04Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > The OP clearly expected micromanagement and was unable to fulfill his responsibilities in its absence. Well, that was what I had assumed based on the OP alone. But then people like **msmith** weighed in with experiences at DEEPLY dysfunctional organizations where it’s not possible to get questions answered. I’ve never worked for such a place, and frankly I’m not sure I would have toughed it out for 7 months in one. I’d love to know more about the OP’s situation, but I agree that on the face of it, it seems like it’s more her (his?) responsibility than the company’s. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/45 "2010-01-26T20:09:44Z")
> [@PatriotGrrrl](#): > > When you have a million dollars you need to shred, there’s really no better way to do it than with a million dollar shredder. But doesn’t purchasing the shredder obviate the need to shred a million dollars? ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/46 "2010-01-26T20:14:53Z")
They probably lied about the million. You probably cost them $52.67, but they didn’t like the way you left the break room after your lunch. You should be more careful about refilling the coffee pot. Just keep in mind, no matter how angry or upset you get about this, you cost those fucking bastards _a million dollars_! I’m so proud of you! I’m 25 and I probably won’t see a million dollars in my entire life even if I started saving every penny right now. I’m not even sure I comprehend how much money that is. Then again, I went to public school and don’t have a fancy MBA. ---
**Author:** ![Mannish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Mannish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mannish)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/47 "2010-01-26T20:51:15Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > But doesn’t purchasing the shredder obviate the need to shred a million dollars? Somebody give this man an MBA…and an advanced degree in business administration. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/48 "2010-01-26T20:56:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Are there MBAs _without_ advanced degrees in business administration? 😃 Oops. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/49 "2010-01-26T21:27:18Z")
I once worked for a firm so dysfunctional, they refused to tell their salespeople who their clients were. Because, and I quote, “Why would they need that information? It’s highly confidential.” :smack: Three guesses for the reason they gave when they started laying the sales force off. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/50 "2010-01-26T21:53:28Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > But doesn’t purchasing the shredder obviate the need to shred a million dollars? Yeah, but when you suddenly have another million dollars to shred (it happens) you are good to go. After all, a million dollar shredder is a long lead item. It’s not like you can pick them up at the dollar store. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/51 "2010-01-26T22:57:09Z")
Moved from The BBQ Pit to Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/52 "2010-01-27T01:05:00Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > A degree qualifies you to be trained to work at a company. They will teach you how they do things and what your job requires. I don’t care how many degrees you have, a company has to break you in and assign duties. No. I mean sure, any job requires some specific training. But if you’re pushing paper without understanding why or where it goes, you’re an automaton. And if you fail to push the paper because it never occurred to you that it might be anything other than busywork, you’re a bad automaton. Now granted, I ain’t got no fancy degrees. Hell, I’m an executive assistant with a GED. But if I’m reading this correctly, the OP either failed to understand that the task in question was related to claims processing (in which case I wonder why he never asked the purpose of this task), or failed to understand that processing claims promptly was important (in which case I wonder if there’s an “MBA” other than the one I’m familiar with). I literally can’t imagine a scenario in which I don’t understand WHY I’m doing what I’m doing, and the ramifications of it not being done correctly and on time. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/53 "2010-01-27T02:06:49Z")
I’m having trouble with that, too - I’ve worked in various offices for 14 years, and when I didn’t know why I was doing something, I asked. Maybe my perspective is skewed from being a temp so long - I am very experienced with being trained, and asking questions and taking notes and forcing people to tell me how to do my job. ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/54 "2010-01-27T02:47:18Z")
Tomorrow afternoon I have a meeting with my boss and dept VP. I can only assume it’s the official kiss off and exit interview. When I spoke to HR today, they gently suggested that I resign. I do admit that I am not completely blameless in the situation. I should have kept asking questions until I was clear about my duties. It was a new industry and computer system for me. The computer system was relatively easy to learn but the convoluted business processes were dizzying! I am still fuzzy on how some of the pieces I worked on fit into the big picture. However, the manager who hired me and supervised my training left a couple months after my hiring. My new boss had no time or patience to answer any of my questions so I decided to just figure things out on my own. She has a PhD and worked for the company for 20 years so if you don’t understand something, you are gum on the bottom of her shoe. We also had to log every project we worked on daily. I was diligent about that and apparently no one looked at my daily log until this mess up came to light. It was one million dollar claim and a bunch of little ones that were held up by my confusion. Each job is a learning curve and I learned a lot in this job! Hopefully, I won’t repeat the same mistakes in the future. And also, I hope I can claim unemployment benefits! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/55 "2010-01-27T02:48:41Z")
Sorry to hear your predicament. I’ve been laid off 2 years after working only a year. Very frustrating. Just got my first good lead in a long time today. Ran home to make calls and email paperwork. I hope you’re mobile and can move to where your MBA can take you. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/56 "2010-01-27T16:41:11Z")
> [@AmericanMaid](#): > > And also, I hope I can claim unemployment benefits! Not a lawyer, not your lawyer, etc. But while you can \*hope \*for this, definitely don’t \*count on \*it–at least not without a fight. Expect them to document in detail exactly why they’re firing you, and expect them to challenge it if/when you apply for benefits. It’s possible that you could make the case that you were never trained properly, but who knows if it’ll work. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/57 "2010-01-27T19:18:09Z")
You have an MBA and you couldn’t figure out in 7 months that your actions were costing the company millions of dollars. Did you get your degree from a cracker jack box? And to top it off you blame the consequences of your actions on the people that trained you. You should be required to turn your degree in. ---
**Author:** ![Success20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Success20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Success20)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/58 "2010-01-27T19:34:50Z")
I had no on the job training in my current job or the ones before that - it is just figure it out on your own. I highly suspect this may be one of the major reasons this country is in a major recession (not the only reason but one of them). Even if a person has an MBA or a degree - a worker has to be trained in that companies procedures - which may change daily anyway. Apply for unemployment anyway - if they didn’t provide proper training - then that is a good arguement. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/59 "2010-01-27T20:18:20Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > You have an MBA and you couldn’t figure out in 7 months that your actions were costing the company millions of dollars. Did you get your degree from a cracker jack box? And to top it off you blame the consequences of your actions on the people that trained you. You should be required to turn your degree in. You, on the other hand, are clearly psychic. All hail **Wilbo**! ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408/60 "2010-01-27T22:01:07Z")
Today I had the meeting with my bosses and I’m fired. Tonight will be a night of drinking. Let’s see if the job market is any better than 7 months ago… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployed-again/526408.md?page=4)