OT: Fired on my birthday...?

[ILoveMPower]

Alright, well today is February 14th, which happens to be my 20th birthday. Awesome, right? Not exactly.

Saturday night into sunday we had, well, a blizzard on the northeast. I was supposed to work sunday night. Well after struggling to move out of my driveway with the blizzaks, to no avail, I decided I better stay safe and take the night off.

What I was going for was emergency PTO (paid-time off), which involves me calling the security monitor room (I work security at a casino) at least 2 hours prior to shift start, as well as calling back just before shift start (12-8am) and talking to my shift manager.

I called the monitor room at about 5:30-6pm on sunday, let them know that I couldn't get out of my driveway, schools had already been cancelled for the next day, etc etc. He told me I had to call back and talk to my shift manager, which I was already aware of.

So, about 9:30pm rolls around, when I hear a loud slam, and out with the lights. Somebody slid off the road and macked into the telephone pole that connects to my house. Needless to say, I have no power and no phoneline.

After not being able to find any of the numbers I need, I find a mohegan sun pen with an 800 number on it. I walk to my neighbors, about 200 yards, and ask to use their phone (you cannot get cell phone reception in my area). I call the number, only to reach an answering machine that does no help to me. Unfortunately, all I can do at this point is sit in the pitch black and hope for the best.

Well, when I went to work last night, I arrived like usual. Suddenly, my supervisor approaches me and says that they had me for a no-call, no-show. I told him it's impossible, I had 4 people right next to me when I did the initial call, and also informed him of my situation. He goes up to the managers office to figure out what's up.

Basically, the manager told him that it's too late, the paperwork is already in, and to take my work badge. He tried to explain my situation, but obviously that was not relevent, in my shift manager's eyes.

WHAT THE F*** CAN I DO!?! I'm broke, I'm young, and I lost my job and my seniority for powers outside of me...

Comments, questions... answers..?

Broke as hell,
- Jeremy King

[DaCan23]

Wow that sucks, sorry to hear that. What jerks at Da Sun, I always liked Da Woods better anyways.... go over there and explain what Da Sun did to ya and maybe they'll give you a job on sympathy.

[Alexlind123]

Arent there laws against that?

[dacoyote]

That sucks.... silly question... I though you had to be 21 to work in a casino... at least in Nevada....

[1995 525i]

Arent there laws against that?

Not sure about where he is, but here in NC you can be fired at anytime and without reason. They can walk up to you and ask you to leave without any explanation. On the other hand this means you can walk out in the same manner, without working a notice. Of course it won't look to good to a jury if you take the company to court.

Sorry to hear you got your walking papers on your birthday..That is a huge bowl of suck! You might be able to pursue a wrongful termination (car hit the pole which should be documented by the Police and the phone company probably has documentation on the loss of the phone line as they had to send someone out to fix it. Power went out and that, I'm sure, was documented as well) claim against them. I would. Of course I'm not an attorney so you would need to investigate this a bit farther.



Then again, if you do file a complaint and get your job back, do your really want it? They sound like asswipes over there.

You will find another job that pays the same if not better.

Good luck!

Michael

[ILoveMPower]

Anyone have any idea what I can do to get unemployment? Obviously I'm looking for another job but for the time being I do have bills that need to be payed...

[Dash01]

Document all the facts that you relayed here, including from the power and phone companies that the pole got hit, when the power went off, what areas of service were disrupted, etc.. Get a written statement from the neighbor whose phone you used, with the date and time of call specified. Get a copy of the employer's policy manual, which tells employees about the no call/no show rules. Talk to the state employment bureaucrats, and learn what your rights, if any, are: In some states, one can be terminated for good reason, bad reason, or no reason whatever. That's called "employment at will"--they can fire you anytime, just as you can quit anytime, without explanation or reason. OTOH, some states have laws to the contrary, which may help you. Write a nice polite letter to the CEO of the company that fired you, explaining the facts and including the documents you got from the phone/power companies, neighbor, etc.. Ask politely for their forbearance and to be reinstated without prejudice or ill will. Wait patiently for a response. If they still won't take you back, and esp. if the local law favors your rights, get a lawyer to write his own letter to the employer. Meanwhile, don't hold out too much hope for full reconcilation, as even if they do take you back, the guy who fired you will be miffed that you went around him and he got over-ruled by the suits upstairs. That's life.

[ILoveMPower]

I think I'm better off working somewhere else...

[HDhandyman]

I think I'm better off working somewhere else...


Just some advice, but as a twenty year old just taking off in the world, you really shouldn't just walk away from this or resign yourself to be fired. It's all good and well to get another job and move on, but doing the documentation work listed up two threads will be an excellent experience for you to gain a sense of empowerment in adulthood. After all, it's nothing more than documentation and writing, making a few copies, etc.. In the end you'll have more than a packet about loosing your job, you'll have a packet that says you're not gonna let people stick it in your ass in life!

Just my $0.02

[ILoveMPower]

I see where you're coming from with that, but I just feel that if I did go through the trouble of really trying to get my job back, I wouldn't last much longer before my manager found a way to fire me again.

He already never liked me, but if I went beyond him and came back I'm sure I would never see the end of it. He really is a horrible human being.

[1995 525i]

Just some advice, but as a twenty year old just taking off in the world, you really shouldn't just walk away from this or resign yourself to be fired. It's all good and well to get another job and move on, but doing the documentation work listed up two threads will be an excellent experience for you to gain a sense of empowerment in adulthood. After all, it's nothing more than documentation and writing, making a few copies, etc.. In the end you'll have more than a packet about loosing your job, you'll have a packet that says you're not gonna let people stick it in your ass in life!

Just my $0.02

If he isn't willing to get stuck a few times then he better not hope for employment in corporate america where they not only expect you to take it but pretend you enjoy as well. Games have to be played and how well you play them depends on how well you get paid.

Mpower, if you confront every boss who pisses you off then better make damn sure you give 120% when you are working and if there are people giving 120% then give 150% cause the second you fall below the minimum requirements your squeaky wheel will be replaced.

Michael

[calmloki]

Those *******s! They have a written procedure employees must adhere to, you didn't, and you got fired? Sorry, that's rough, but that's the way it should work. Pet peeve of mine is the idea that an excuse is equivalent to performance. It isn't. I'm really responding to a niece and nephew who have learned that if they whine hard enough they can usually get another chance. Pisses me off. The world owes nobody anything, you are not entitled to do-overs, and employers pay employees to show up and work. The fact that you did not call is not the employer's problem - it's yours. Think Yoda: "There is no try, do there is, or not do". Good lesson to learn early. Try the next casino, let them know you learned a hard lesson.
Best of luck
Tom Walrod

[DaCan23]

As long as you're not fired for ethical and serious rule violations you can get unemployment.... In cases of being fired, the Employer is contacted and they have the option yes or no to allow you to collect... So unless they are SUPER A-Holes they should say yes...


Anyone have any idea what I can do to get unemployment? Obviously I'm looking for another job but for the time being I do have bills that need to be payed...

[632 Regal]

thats a possibility but think about it this way...you might get that guys job...
I see where you're coming from with that, but I just feel that if I did go through the trouble of really trying to get my job back, I wouldn't last much longer before my manager found a way to fire me again.

He already never liked me, but if I went beyond him and came back I'm sure I would never see the end of it. He really is a horrible human being.

[ILoveMPower]

I appreciate you guys trying to help me out here, but some sympathy would be nice as well.

I know I should be learning a lesson, and that all of you have had this happen to you before, etc. But as about the only employee (security, that is) under the age of 30 that got any respect from the elders, so to speak, it aggrevates me to instantly be placed in the young person slacker category.

And to calmloki, I understand I didn't do my part by calling management back. But, in my situation, what would you have done? Ran to work?

I enjoyed my job, tried my hardest, and had a lot of good relationships. But the fact I was weeded out by a winter storm... seems ludicrious.

And remember, don't flame me too hard, it is still my birthday.

[Phatty5BMW]

Hey HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!


May next years be MUCH better :)
Pat

[DaCan23]

Did you have an exit interview w/ HR? You should at least talk to HR about this and see what they think.


I appreciate you guys trying to help me out here, but some sympathy would be nice as well.

I know I should be learning a lesson, and that all of you have had this happen to you before, etc. But as about the only employee (security, that is) under the age of 30 that got any respect from the elders, so to speak, it aggrevates me to instantly be placed in the young person slacker category.

And to calmloki, I understand I didn't do my part by calling management back. But, in my situation, what would you have done? Ran to work?

I enjoyed my job, tried my hardest, and had a lot of good relationships. But the fact I was weeded out by a winter storm... seems ludicrious.

And remember, don't flame me too hard, it is still my birthday.

[calmloki]

Like I said - I'm responding more to my neice and nephew than to you. Getting fired sucks, and the bigger the company and the more oriented toward "sin" type activities, the more likely they are to have really rigid practices. Think bars, cops, casinos, bail, tow or repo businesses. I sure didn't mean to lump you in with the slackers - but bottom line is, you did not do what was required. You chose to be safe and not drive, when unable to call you stopped. I have no idea what more , if anything, you could have done. But it was still your responsibility to call. The lesson is, if you don't do what you are supposed to, bad things happen. An employer has no touchy feely desire to keep an employee safe and happy other than to keep him working as much as possible for the lowest cost /hour. I really think that you can turn this firing to your advantage by parroting to your next employer the hard lesson you have learned: namely that you will get to work or to a phone come Hell or high water. Think about what the employer wants to hear: minimum hassle, maximum work and reliability. What do you want from a BMW part supplier? Minimum hassle, good quality, reliable delivery? An employer is just like you. Use that mind set to your advantage - and have a good rest of your birthday - you sure have a much nicer car than I did at your age! Congratulations!

[1995 525i]

I appreciate you guys trying to help me out here, but some sympathy would be nice as well.

I know I should be learning a lesson, and that all of you have had this happen to you before, etc. But as about the only employee (security, that is) under the age of 30 that got any respect from the elders, so to speak, it aggrevates me to instantly be placed in the young person slacker category.

And to calmloki, I understand I didn't do my part by calling management back. But, in my situation, what would you have done? Ran to work?

I enjoyed my job, tried my hardest, and had a lot of good relationships. But the fact I was weeded out by a winter storm... seems ludicrious.

And remember, don't flame me too hard, it is still my birthday.

:D

[peterllo]

Happy Birthday and welcome to reality.

Having managed people for near 20 years I can see both sides of the coin. First from what you said you got a raw deal. If you enjoyed the job and felt that you were going to stay and advance there try to go one up above the supervisor you spoke to. Explain the situation stress the fact that you did try to call in and that had you attempted to drive you never would have made it anyway.

Understand however that you are at the bottom of the food chain, holding the type of position where employers see high turnover and daily excuses for why the employee didn't do or get something done. They get sick of hearing it to the point becoming insulated from feelings. Being that it is your birthday adds to your being upset but wasn't a factor in their decision, likely they didn't know or would have cared less. The fact of the matter is your dilemma, storm, power loss, etcetera applies to everyone else who did make it in, in some fashion. Therefore those who made it in are likely to be held in higher esteem by management that will in turn get them some slack if it were to happen to them in the future.

On that note go out and have some fun, today is Valntine's Day, your girlfriend should work you extra hard to cheer you up.

[632 Regal]

think of the bright side, you got your birthday off ;)

[kyleN20]

i just got laid off

[dacoyote]

i just got laid off

Like just now?

[HDhandyman]

This is depressing.

I hear all this bitterness from you guys about "people bend you over", "should have done the hypothetical impossible", and "management can do whatever they want in life".

You know what? I think that's a crock! I don't think that any of those things has do with "empowerment" about life. I think those are jaded realities from overworked people who "took it" too much.

I gotta tell ya-- You can't go anywhere wrong in life by keeping detailed acounts or records of what happend to you at difficult times. That's a good one to pick up from the start. "People who don't take care of themselves make a habbit of regretting it."

Personally, I started my own highly successful business at the age of 24 cause I got tired of listening to the jaded reality of over-worked America. You know how I made it work? I kept good records, held close to a sense of empowerment, dreamt the impossible, didn't get into relationships with people who were looking to bend me over in life, and I never treated others the way I didn't want to be treated.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that I want you to walk away from this experience feeling empowered about your life. Don't be afraid to fight the good fight, and have a wonderful Birthday!

[angrypancake]

dude, if you got laid off on your birthday you damn sure better get laid on your birthday.

[dacoyote]

dude, if you got laid off on your birthday you damn sure better get laid on your birthday.

**** that... at 20 you better be getting laid on your birthday regardless if you have a job or not...

[kyleN20]

like last week, i dident think it board worthy, but its on topic for this thread, it was a large metal fab show, and i was a gopher/shiping dept

[kyleN20]

getting laid has nothing to do with my b day, let me make that clear, sure its better on my b day i guess

[angrypancake]

**** that... at 20 you better be getting laid on your birthday regardless if you have a job or not...


****, you don't have to tell me that. it's just some support for mpower!

[632 Regal]

1 more post.

****, you don't have to tell me that. it's just some support for mpower!

[1995 525i]

getting laid has nothing to do with my b day, let me make that clear, sure its better on my b day i guess

Damn well better not, you're 19 for chrissake. Hoping for it on your b-day is for the married veterans out there.

[dacoyote]

Damn well better not, you're 19 for chrissake. Hoping for it on your b-day is for the married veterans out there.

I have two words for you... for the sake of all of that are married... or might as well be...

screw you

The truth hurts...