I'm Being Fired!?

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Not A Good Thing

How does it feel to be fired from your job? Not a good feeling. On November 4, 2019 at about 2:15 in the afternoon...I was paged over the intercom system at work. Then was asked to come to the HR manager's office. Once there, she read a statement and then said, "Bob, this is a discharge." All I could say was, so I'm being fired!?

There was no emotion in what I said. Just restating what I was told for my own clarity. I was shocked...I had no idea what or how things got to this point. Well, I do know...words cannot even express how I felt at the time...it was so unreal to me. I mean, I've given them 26+ years of my life working for them.

A Little Background

I will be brief on this, but it is an interesting story to say the least.

Tuesday Oct 29th: We had some meetings that morning...after which I went back out to my machine to start my day. I ran a CNC (computer numeric controlled) grinding machine and that day the grinding wheel guard fell off...it broke off and was laying in the bottom of the machine when I opened the door to change out the finished part.

I shut off the grinding wheel and after ensuring the machine was safe...went to enter a work order into our maintenance system, paged someone over from maintenance to fix it, then went to my direct supervisor to let him know about it...

I then went back to the machine and performed my quality checks on the part that just came out of the machine. So far, I did everything correct as far as safety and all. One of the maintenance guys came over to lube the machine, but not to check on the needed repair. I showed him the issue and he walked away. I thought to get his tools, but nope...he never came back.

I checked and was going to inform my direct supervisor that maintenance said they couldn't do anything. He wasn't at his desk, so doing what we usually do in this case...loaded a new part in the machine. Closed the door, started the grinding wheel, and pressed the cycle start and my plan was to inform the supervisor when I saw him again to let him know what was going on. I ended up forgettting.

My Oooops!

I should not have ran it. But, I did. I was running it in a safe manner, by shutting the wheel off before opening the door, change the part, close the door, then start the wheel back up, and press cycle start. Well, I ran it like that all day, because the culture was "run it no matter what, we need parts". No I didn't hear that on the 29th, but it usually would be the statement.

Well, with it all said and done...I got fired on the 4th of November. Fast Forward...9 days later, I get a phone call from the plant manager to explain my case and what happened that day. Now, I did, he asked me a few more questions...I answered them and he told me that he would probably done the same thing. I'm thinking, hmmmm! He then told me he wants me to come back.

With it all said and done...I have a meeting Monday morning at 8:00 to meet with some key people involved. I will probably get my job back and things will be back to normal...or will they?

The Turn Around

I will go back, but I know now that most companies are not out to help their employees in some cases. There are people in positions that see where they think that the people are not important. They jump to conclusions and don't consider the circumstances around why someone has done something. Many times, we think we know the situation as we see it. Like the key people involved here in my case. But, each person involved didn't do what they should have and only see their own side of the story.


But, do you really know what is going on in someone's life or why they do what they do? Most of us here are seeking to improve our lot in life, we want better for our families. We strive to be successful, because we do not want to have to answer to someone else who has control over your livelihood. Like the manufacuring plant I work in. I will be one of the best model employees there...even though I thought I was already.

It only takes one small mistake or misjudgement...and you're out on your keester. Like I was. Now mine ended in a good way for me. Because of the past environment and going about our business as usual. Some of the key people involved didn't do what they should have done and it is being discovered that I did everything I should and could do.

They will now have to answer to why they didn't do what they should. I will think about this into consideration and push to make sure I am being successful here and on my website.

Ah, you were wondering where I was going with this little story...weren't you?

Now you know...do what you can to be in control of your own life circumstances and if you really want this bad enough...

WORK ON IT!!!

Do not hesitate to move yourself to be successful here. You want to be controlling your own destiny.

Don't let others determine what needs to be done for you. If you see action needs to be taken...TAKE ACTION!

My determination is even greater now that this little oops happened to me. I do not plan to spend too much longer in my current job.

I need to see better for myself...just like you!

I came out of this in high spirits and am very happy with the outcome...things couldn't be any better...now that I have much more clarity on why I am here.

What are your thoughts...do you want to see yourself in better terms?

I would love to hear your ideas on this...


UPDATE 11/18/2019:

Well, in case some of you wanted to know. I have met with the plant manager (Markus), HR Manager (Rhonda), Value Stream Manager (Lonnie), and a couple others. Markus basically laid it on the line and explained that some things weren't done correctly. I did what I should have done and even based on my experience, evaluated the machine and took into account the risk. That I didn't do any wrong doing, except just trying to make production.

Where his problem was with the way it was handled and didn't like a 26+ year employee being escorted out the door and terminated. He stated things need to be different and that things do need to be looked at on a case by case basis.

Our safety manager did mention that there were a number of machines that were aged and needed safety upgrades. Markus informed us all that upgrades weren't needed, but mostly machine replacements.

They asked me to come back and offered to pay for what time I missed and all my vacation will be replaced since they cashed it out. So, I am happy. I still have a job, for now. I do intend to push myself more on my website like I said in the post and determine when it is time to call it quits at the hourly job on MY TERMS.


I wish you all the best!

Bob

Oh mash that "LIKE THIS" button, and comment with your thoughts. :-)

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Recent Comments

57

Hi Bob,

I think this a disgraceful decision made by a company, you have dedicated 26+ years of your life to.

I do believe that most big companies have their employees best interests at hand, and are always disregard the impact they cause when they put the almighty dollar before the people that have made them a success.

I am glad to hear you have a meeting on Monday where the key decision makers will be taking another look, and in all probability you will have your job back. I wish you get what you are looking for.

Wishing you all the best,
Michael

Thanks Michael, It’s strange, but I’m actually looking forward to it. I am expecting Markus to most of the talking to those involved and probably asking question.

I think I will post an update to it so those of you interested...will know what the outcome is.

Until then...I wish you well.
Bob

Hi Bob, I would be interested in an update, if you don't mind.

Thanks,
Michael

I will do that. It’ll be in the original post.

Bob, I’m so sorry that happened. Though, I am so proud of you for doing what you know what’s right! We all make mistakes, that’s life, but you did what you had to do! Im also glad that they realized the mistake they did and now they want you want. Hopefully things won’t be so different.

When I was in college I had a job on one of the important offices. I had that job for some time but due to the environment and then pressure I was getting (I had way too many panic attacks to count) I had to take care of my mental health first. So, that’s what I did! I got fired as well for taking care of MYSELF.

A year later I applied for another job and ended up getting it....but it was in the same place I was fired before. Luckily, the manager understood my issues with my mental health and also my new physical issues (as I had serious problems with my vision). We came to terms and I got my job back!!

I’m not working there at the moment but I am glad I had that second opportunity of not only working, but also showing everyone that I was really capable of doing my work.

That's awesome that you had a second chance to prove yourself. I had 26+ years and that is my proof. They know my abilities and I think my higher pay that really got me terminated. I'll be watching my back when I go back.

I didn't state this in my blog, but there is another employee that they walked out 10 minutes after me. She had been there for a long time. She was terminated for not doing a job...but the point is SHE DID DO IT.

They "couldn't find the paperwork" was their answer and accused her of not doing it. The paperwork was found a day later...funny how it suddenly turned up now. When the dust settles on my situation. I will bring up her wrongful termination to the plant manager as well.

Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation.

I wish you the best!
Bob

That is absolutely awful. They’re basically firering people for fabricated reasons. Sadly, a lot of companies do that. They just want money and power therefore, they will do anything to get some employees out of the way.

I really hope you figure everything out and so does your co-worker!

I honestly think it was an oversight on too many people and they couldn't just put it all on me as my fault in the process.

Hopefully it wil all get sorted out

👍😀

Wow!!! Sorry for what happened on your job!!! One of the reason I decided to retire and work for me, being the boss!!! Chin up, I'm a newbie and I think you have a lot of support here at WA to be your own boss and leave the past behind!!! Blessings of success!!+

Antoinette

Thank you Antoinette. I appreciate your comments and support. I will do exactly that. I have a renewed perspective on my website and will hopefully move on...

I have some serious work to do first.

Wow! Somebody seriously goofed - and it wasn't you!!!! My background is in HR with extensive policy background. If you want to talk about this further, feel free to drop me a note on the private side.

On the flip-side. A. You're really taking this all very well.
B. You have completely illustrated why we are all here.

Hope things all turn out well. Enjoy your weekend.

Christine

Thanks Christine...there were extenuating circumstances that prompted my plant manager to have me back.

There is more to this story as well. I have a very strong work ethic and honesty and doing what is right was one of the things that came into light.

The saying “he who has the last laugh, laughs best” fits here very well.

I wish you the best!

Bob

Hi, Bob!

Glad your story has a happy ending for you. I imagine it has quite a lot to do with somebody's (not you) failure to follow company policy and procedure at a much higher level. To just outright out of the blue fire somebody without investigation is generally a problem. Especially when that somebody has the track record and length of service you have. I would expect to see some shake ups higher up the food chain. Good luck!!

Christine

There have been. The plant manager has issued a memo or letter to the effect that terminations will go through him or a termination review board from now on. The HR Mgr no longer has that authority any longer.

Things are well now.

I was just thinking about you today. I imagine there is also a significant change of the companies employee manual and the P&P. If you are in the United States, any labor attorney would have a field day with the company, even though you were brought back. Big mistakes were made!!!!! Glad you had a happy ending. Thanks for letting me know!!

Christine

Very in depth thinking on thinking, and how the corporate world constructs decisions. At least you got your job back, and can freely relinquish it when you have more than replaced your income via WA. Wisdom actualized, eh Bob?
Yes and over here it's us who handle quality control. That was a good lesson you shared with us, Thank you!
Suzay

Thank you for stopping by to read it. I learned a very important lesson on how the management can sometimes think.

Luckily, I have a very wise plant manager.

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