How to Tell if You're About to Get Fired from Your Job

No one takes a job planning to get fired. Somewhere along the way, the unthinkable happens and boom...termination of employment occurs and you're caught unawares. You can't believe it's happening to you. You're angry and feel betrayed that your boss did not live up to his end of the bargain. In most cases, you failed to heed the warning signals and danger signs. If this describes your situation and you are concerned that you are about to get fired from your job once again, or you feel uneasy and think it just might happen to you for the first time; then consider the information in this article to help you prepare your response.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Face the reality of your circumstances. Is there a real chance that you could get fired from your job? Is this because of poor job performance, company policy violation or a mismatch in personal style? Be honest here. If you have even a small inkling that you could be fired from your job, now is the time to discover the reason and take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.

2. Be alert and on the look out for early warning signals that may indicate you are about to get fired. Without being paranoid, consider the following:

   a) Isolation, withdrawal and deterioration in work relationships with colleagues.

   b) Increased focus on your production (quantity) and the amount of errors you make (quality).

   c) Unexpected company investigations of your emails, internet usage and access to company files and supplies.

   d) Requests for your consent to company policies where you are singled out from the rest of your work unit.

   e) Strained or damaged work relationships with bosses that may be beyond repair.

3. Schedule a meeting with your boss to gauge his/her perception and evaluation of your job performance. Don't wait until the annual review process. If you think you are about to get fired, you should find out if it is performance related as soon as possible so you can have time to improve.

4. Develop a termination contingency plan. This is a game plan you will implement if things go wrong and you are fired from your job. Include the actions you will take to manage your response and what you will do to minimize the impact that getting fired will have on your life and family.

5. Research unemployment compensation and COBRA benefits eligibility, and if you are entitled to any company severance or salary continuation payments if you are fired. Review medical benefits coverage and 401k plan participation.

6. Find out how your company responds to employment verification requests from potential new employers. Will the company only give out basic information (employment dates, job titles) or will it also tell the reasons you were fired?

7. If you have violated company policy or engaged in misconduct of some kind, your chances of getting fired are high. The best thing to do here is to own up to the misconduct, accept the termination, learn from the experience and get on with your life.

Resources

• Christian Career Tools