Signs Of Getting Fired

You’re Fired!

Losing your job rarely happens just like that, with those two simple words.
There are endless reasons people get fired from their jobs, but no one should be taken completely by surprise.
If you believe you are at risk for being fired, consider the following and use this information to reverse your fate while you still can.

Obvious Signs:

There are obvious reasons people get fired, such as poor performance, poor attendance, and poor attitude. Most likely if you fall into these categories, the signs you are getting fired are more of the obvious than subtle.

You’ve probably been faced with:

The Poor Performance Review:

On a scale of 1 to 5 you’re scoring 2 or lower. That’s not good and it’s in writing.
A documented reason for firing you is always better for the employer than a verbal hint. It’s also direct, which gives you more opportunity to understand exactly how to change your ways.
You need to take your manager’s recommendations and move on them now or you are sure to find yourself out of a job.

The Withheld Merit Raise:

Along with a poor performance review, a yearly merit increase may be withheld stipulating that your performance must improve.
Still, you are receiving a salary, so you can work harder, get your raise, and keep your job. If your salary has been cut due to performance, see “The Demotion.”

The Demotion:

If responsibilities have been taken away from you or you’ve actually been given a lower title, you can be sure you are not in the good graces of the company.
You haven’t shown that you’re up to doing the job and they’ve decided to shuffle you around. It’s probably a good time to update your resume and consider getting a fresh start.
If this has happened to you, the company is hoping you will leave your job so they don’t have to fire you. Either way, your attitude will not improve under these circumstances. Consider moving on and doing better.

The Write-Up:

If you’ve committed serious infractions on the job and haven’t been fired on the spot, you may have received a “write-up.”
Again, this is in writing and makes the process of firing you from your job easier and quicker at the slightest problem the next time. You must avoid similar circumstances in the future at all costs.

Subtle Signs:

There are other reasons people get fired from their jobs.
It isn’t only the person who’s coming in late, not producing results, and stealing office supplies. Maybe the company is attempting to downsize, or your manager really dislikes you, or your boss has a cousin he wants to put in your position.
Not all of these reasons are legitimate, but they happen, and it is better to be aware of the signs:

The Outsider:

Have you become the outsider? Do your coworkers band together and exclude you, or even go against you often? Do they have discussions with your boss when you rarely do? Worse, have they recently started avoiding you (it’s a sign they know what’s coming). You’re an outsider and they’d like to see you “outside” permanently. Your performance can save you or you can seek out a less hostile work environment. At least you’ve recognized the signs and taken some control.

The Road to Failure:

A boss who really wants to get rid of you can set you up for failure.
Since she has no valid reason to demote you, she can promote you to a level where you’ll have little chance of success.
Offering you a big job with many responsibilities and goals with no warning or training may seem like a gift to some, but the hand that you take it from may be hoping to guide you to your downfall.

The Disrespected:

You may notice that no matter what you do or how hard you work, you never get credit for your ideas or accomplishments. Do you have to fight extra hard to get someone to listen to your plans? You may just be in one of those situations where, for whatever reason, they want you out and they’d prefer you to leave on your own. What better way to do this than to make things really difficult for you? Maybe your manager does want to give the position to someone else, maybe he has a personal grudge against you, maybe he’s your new manager and he wants a clean house rid of the old manager’s cronies. Whatever the reason, you’re not getting any respect and that’s a sign of getting fired.

Why Need to Recognize the Signs of Getting Fired?

You may feel resigned to your fate, so why recognize the signs of getting fired? Being aware of the signs whether direct or subtle puts opportunity in your hands.
It allows you to make decisions for yourself without being completely under the power of your employer.
You can choose to change how you work on the job or you can choose to seek out a new job while you are still collecting a paycheck.
If you feel your treatment is unjustified you can seek out help from Human Resources. You need to have awareness before you can take action.
In today’s economy, it doesn’t hurt be observant and evaluate where you stand.