Good Friday job shock
Donation protected
Hi, some of you have known Gary and me (and our pup Connor!) from elsewhere online; we have been through some ups and downs over the past year and more, always getting through, sometimes with the help of wonderful people, always with the help of God as I see it.
On April 19 (Good Friday) I received a shock by being let go from my job of about a year, even though I had been privileged with a promotion earlier on. My colleagues were shocked too.
I had been awarded Employee of the Month not long after I started with the company, and within a couple more months had been promoted to supervisor. My bosses knew I had no specific supervisory experience, so I felt privileged that I'd been awarded that role; they hired several other supervisors at the same time, all of whom did have that background.
We were given no training for our new roles, though --- only two hours' orientation and then sent out to the floor. My colleagues were very helpful, but of course such support can only be piecemeal, since we were busy with our duties, so I sometimes wondered if I was doing all that was expected of me. My boss was also seldom available for coaching, but at such times he always commended me "You're doing great, keep up the good work." I was also given a positive performance review shortly after the new year, so all that was encouraging.
So it came as a shock not long after, when my boss coached me on a few things I had overlooked --- typical newbie mistakes, nothing I'd done repeatedly, and no material harm done --- but then produced a document for me to sign, as a "first written warning". That caught me off guard, so as most would do in my place, I just signed without commenting.
However in reviewing the document, I questioned the points raised, since they did not take into consideration facts in the wider context (which I was able to document). So I wrote a detailed response, requesting he reconsider the warning. I never received an answer.
He soon left for three weeks' family leave at the birth of his son, and his boss filled in for him (mostly in absentia, since she was seldom able to come onsite). I got a second shock when she had a phone conference with me, in which she said she was emailing me a "final written warning". She went over the points in it --- again, all typical newcomer mistakes, none I had made before, and no harm done. This time I delayed signing the form, while I wrote an extensive appeal to corporate HR, detailing how the points raised were not repeat errors, nor again did they take wider context into consideration, and attached abundant documentation of all of it.
HR replied that they were taking it all "into consideration", but that the warning "stands for now". When my boss returned, he and his boss (again by phone) took time to talk over with me every point I had raised --- but set aside all context and insisted I had "failed in my core duties", and concluded that the final warning still stood. Afterward, HR asked how that went; I replied with my disappointment and made a second appeal, asking consideration of all facts, including that I was new in the role and made no repeat errors, along with questioning why their approach had turned to punishment rather than coaching and staff development. Again, they simply replied that the warning stood.
A few days later, my boss called me aside, cited another error (late return on an assignment for which no deadline had been given), and fired me with no chance for appeal. My colleagues, as I said above, were shocked, several on my team and from admin staff came outside to wish me farewell. I asked them to tell everyone they are one of the most wonderful teams around, which they are, and that I was privileged to work with them all.
Some of you know that, about a year ago, we went through another adventure when my previous job was eliminated and we were hit by a long series of car repairs that blew through what savings or credit we had, and then it was nearly six months till I could find another job.
(It's difficult for Gary to find work, he is on the autism spectrum, so mine is often the only income.) We were barely getting back above water, when this has now hit --- and earlier in the year we had also had car repairs (from an icy accident) and a medical (dental) emergency of Gary's.
Of course I filed for unemployment right away, and when I got the final written warning, I had updated my resume and contacted a good agency who had found me my last job (as a precaution, hoping I wouldn't have to call on them---they have had some good leads, but no offers yet). Coworkers assured me I'll get unemployment even though I was fired (I've never been fired before!), since I can show I did my job to the best of my ability---however a call to the UI office found that can take four to six weeks to kick in, while they make a determination. And of course I am pursuing my own job search daily.
So ---- it's with sincere humility we're asking you to help if in any way you can. I picked a dollar amount that I hope will give us some breathing room for a month or so in the job market is not so good --- I will be taking whatever I can find in the mean time, I'm also considering Lyft/Uber or any other side work that can offer more immediate funds.
We know that a lot of you are going through tough times too, and your help means more than you know. No matter what, please love one another, this Easter and spring season let your love be the best thing you give to anyone. Love breathes life into the world.
God bless you all and thank you.
On April 19 (Good Friday) I received a shock by being let go from my job of about a year, even though I had been privileged with a promotion earlier on. My colleagues were shocked too.
I had been awarded Employee of the Month not long after I started with the company, and within a couple more months had been promoted to supervisor. My bosses knew I had no specific supervisory experience, so I felt privileged that I'd been awarded that role; they hired several other supervisors at the same time, all of whom did have that background.
We were given no training for our new roles, though --- only two hours' orientation and then sent out to the floor. My colleagues were very helpful, but of course such support can only be piecemeal, since we were busy with our duties, so I sometimes wondered if I was doing all that was expected of me. My boss was also seldom available for coaching, but at such times he always commended me "You're doing great, keep up the good work." I was also given a positive performance review shortly after the new year, so all that was encouraging.
So it came as a shock not long after, when my boss coached me on a few things I had overlooked --- typical newbie mistakes, nothing I'd done repeatedly, and no material harm done --- but then produced a document for me to sign, as a "first written warning". That caught me off guard, so as most would do in my place, I just signed without commenting.
However in reviewing the document, I questioned the points raised, since they did not take into consideration facts in the wider context (which I was able to document). So I wrote a detailed response, requesting he reconsider the warning. I never received an answer.
He soon left for three weeks' family leave at the birth of his son, and his boss filled in for him (mostly in absentia, since she was seldom able to come onsite). I got a second shock when she had a phone conference with me, in which she said she was emailing me a "final written warning". She went over the points in it --- again, all typical newcomer mistakes, none I had made before, and no harm done. This time I delayed signing the form, while I wrote an extensive appeal to corporate HR, detailing how the points raised were not repeat errors, nor again did they take wider context into consideration, and attached abundant documentation of all of it.
HR replied that they were taking it all "into consideration", but that the warning "stands for now". When my boss returned, he and his boss (again by phone) took time to talk over with me every point I had raised --- but set aside all context and insisted I had "failed in my core duties", and concluded that the final warning still stood. Afterward, HR asked how that went; I replied with my disappointment and made a second appeal, asking consideration of all facts, including that I was new in the role and made no repeat errors, along with questioning why their approach had turned to punishment rather than coaching and staff development. Again, they simply replied that the warning stood.
A few days later, my boss called me aside, cited another error (late return on an assignment for which no deadline had been given), and fired me with no chance for appeal. My colleagues, as I said above, were shocked, several on my team and from admin staff came outside to wish me farewell. I asked them to tell everyone they are one of the most wonderful teams around, which they are, and that I was privileged to work with them all.
Some of you know that, about a year ago, we went through another adventure when my previous job was eliminated and we were hit by a long series of car repairs that blew through what savings or credit we had, and then it was nearly six months till I could find another job.
(It's difficult for Gary to find work, he is on the autism spectrum, so mine is often the only income.) We were barely getting back above water, when this has now hit --- and earlier in the year we had also had car repairs (from an icy accident) and a medical (dental) emergency of Gary's.
Of course I filed for unemployment right away, and when I got the final written warning, I had updated my resume and contacted a good agency who had found me my last job (as a precaution, hoping I wouldn't have to call on them---they have had some good leads, but no offers yet). Coworkers assured me I'll get unemployment even though I was fired (I've never been fired before!), since I can show I did my job to the best of my ability---however a call to the UI office found that can take four to six weeks to kick in, while they make a determination. And of course I am pursuing my own job search daily.
So ---- it's with sincere humility we're asking you to help if in any way you can. I picked a dollar amount that I hope will give us some breathing room for a month or so in the job market is not so good --- I will be taking whatever I can find in the mean time, I'm also considering Lyft/Uber or any other side work that can offer more immediate funds.
We know that a lot of you are going through tough times too, and your help means more than you know. No matter what, please love one another, this Easter and spring season let your love be the best thing you give to anyone. Love breathes life into the world.
God bless you all and thank you.
Organizer
Roger Smith
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
