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Job. - 4/16/2008 2:25:01 PM   
pahunkboy


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I dont know if I want to post this. I been pondering the past few hours.  My buddy was half asleep. [when I called today]  I dont know if I am supposed to know this.  But I am fired.  Specifically, I am not allowed back, [tho others are] due to "an awkward situation with a staff member"  ..... whatever that is supposed to mean.

The thing is 'awkward" is my middle name.  I always make people  feel awkward.  I was on my best behavior, this is the friend who did not want to have his name come up.

So naturally all the different, woulda coulda- mixed feelings have been running thru me.

I cant help but wonder if I am good for nothing.  Tho that sounds immature and "poor me".  So I guess I blew it by speaking.  I did not say what said staff member wanted to hear. Im not sure even what it was- who it was. So I have little clue.

So evidently I dont fit into their office-fine. I dont fit into alot of places.  I dont know if I wanted to know this information either.

But I do make people uncomfortable. I always have.

Thinking of it another way, my job wasnt to deal with staff members, it was to make phone calls. So on that I did what I was paid to do.
Being that a office worker, feel so awkward by my presence, that suggests that office quarters are too small.

Should I ask them about calling from home?  I dont think I am supposed to know this.

Alright- so if I am the guy who makes people feel awkward, there could be a way to use that in my favor?   If not on this- but for future reference.

??

< Message edited by pahunkboy -- 4/16/2008 2:26:48 PM >
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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 2:30:30 PM   
subfever


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If you trust your source of information, you might indeed consider asking about the possibility of calling from home... before the axe falls. 

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 2:32:04 PM   
pahunkboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: subfever

If you trust your source of information, you might indeed consider asking about the possibility of calling from home... before the axe falls. 


I trust him.

Tho perhaps I should  ask him to elaborate when he is fully awake.  

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 2:34:44 PM   
subfever


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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: subfever

If you trust your source of information, you might indeed consider asking about the possibility of calling from home... before the axe falls. 


I trust him.

Tho perhaps I should  ask him to elaborate when he is fully awake.  



It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask for more information!

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 2:39:28 PM   
subfever


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By the way, I have a friend who is on the phone all day at work along with his co-workers. He tends to make people around him uncomfortable as well, primarily with his unbridled emotions.

He was called in on the carpet, and damned nearly lost his job. Had to attend stress and anger management classes as a condition to keep his job... which I might add, pays amazingly well for phone work.



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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 3:11:31 PM   
CalifChick


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I think I would mention to my boss that the sexual innuendoes in the workplace were making ME uncomfortable.  Kind of an offensive rather than defensive position.

Cali


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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 3:20:08 PM   
pahunkboy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

I think I would mention to my boss that the sexual innuendoes in the workplace were making ME uncomfortable.  Kind of an offensive rather than defensive position.

Cali



the other thing it could have been is mentioning political thoughts. tho a coworker did not think I was out of line on that.

If it was the above- thats perplexing.   I was so bad- that 5 more days would be unbearable?  [there is a conference room and auditorium]

So I guess that comment was a no no.  All I wanted was a knife so as to share my sandwhich with a coworker who had none. 
I wasnt even permanent. argh.

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 3:50:18 PM   
angelikaJ


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Well, at this point you don't know the reason why you are being fired...

get more info and request an exit interview...

*hugs*

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 3:51:54 PM   
camille65


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There isn't anything I can say that hasn't been said above me, so really big hugs okay? 

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 4:19:11 PM   
shigglyboom


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PAHunk,

First of all, if I'm reading your post right, you haven't been fired, so stop taking someone's dreamy ramblings as the truth. People say all kind of weird things when they're asleep.

Until you hear it from your employer, you're not fired. Show up, do your job as normal, and keep your good idea about working at home in your back pocket as a negotiating strategy in case the management does confront you. In the meantime, strategize how you can make the other worker more comfortable - whether it's keeping more of a distance or taking the leadership to ask him/her how you can work together better.

Here are other things to do:

1) Stop using this single incident to whip yourself. A situation between you and a coworker is exactly that - "between" you. Two parties are involved, and much as we try, interpersonal dynamics are never easy or predictable. Turning "He/she felt awkward" to "I am useless" is a completely unfounded step.

2) Consider this event as only one shred of your history of interactions with others - good and bad. Write down the times when you felt you've made people uncomfortable, what you said, and what was going on in your emotions and your environment at that time. Take note if there are repeat subjects or situations where you need to be on particular alert. Also remember the times you've handled interactions well. What was going right for you then?

3) Consider your body language. You look like a big guy. Could standing a little farther from people help stop them from being intimidated by you?

4) If you decide to do some work on your interactions with others, join a social training group like Dale Carnegie.

If you do get fired:

5) Get more information on exactly why you've been fired. Take notes. If a coworker is "uncomfortable" because of your sexual orientation, religion, etc., it's illegal to fire you. If it even possibly could be something like that, you need to know. If it's a specific action you took, you deserve to know what it was. It may also impact your eligibilty for unemployment compensation.

6) Consider consulting an employment lawyer regarding wrongful termination. I don't know how laws vary by state, but in my state for example, you cannot be fired without warning unless you do something absolutely horrifying. "Awkward" would never cut it.

7) Remember that there's no launching pad so powerful to your next big step as being fired. Many people have turned that momentum into a gigantic success.

Shig


Edited because I reread the original post.

< Message edited by shigglyboom -- 4/16/2008 4:28:55 PM >

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 5:12:15 PM   
Rule


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I have got nothing to add, except: best wishes.

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 7:48:04 PM   
Griswold


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

I think I would mention to my boss that the sexual innuendoes in the workplace were making ME uncomfortable.  Kind of an offensive rather than defensive position.

Cali



Actually...that's a remarkably sound bit of advice.

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 7:52:49 PM   
GreedyTop


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*hugs*, sweetie

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 9:15:13 PM   
TheHeretic


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quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

I think I would mention to my boss that the sexual innuendoes in the workplace were making ME uncomfortable.  Kind of an offensive rather than defensive position.

Cali




        Nope.  Then the boss says something along the lines of "it doesn't sound like you are all that happy working here either.  We'll just go ahead and call it mutual."  That makes it even easier to screw you out of any unemployment.

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 9:23:04 PM   
Missokyst


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If you mentioned the sexual harassment issue early on in your employment that is probably what will get you booted.
Sadly, people have very few strings to hold onto in those first 2-3 months of employment.  You are on trial and they can just say you were not a good fit.  Indeed if the office is accustomed to sexual banter then it is not a good fit for you, even if the majority would consider that illegal. 
The fact is, all new hires can be dropped without a second glance or an explanation.
Of course you can sue, but you would need proof.
I wish you luck in what ever you choose to do.
Kyst

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RE: Job. - 4/16/2008 9:38:45 PM   
Marc2b


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It's late and I'm too tired to think of anything usefull to say so I'll just say - best of luck.

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RE: Job. - 4/17/2008 6:33:01 AM   
pahunkboy


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Kind replies- and I do thank you.

Thinking on this overnight,   if everybody was 100% comfortable 100% of the time, nothing would evolve, improve, resolve.  So "awkward" in itself can be a stimulus for improvement. 

So concluding that, I examine the "staff member", if the matter was reversed- I would be told, I can not get along with others, and am not a"team player".

Perplexing that work politics, currents of fraiity are prevalent in 2008.

Often I dont regret being the guy who marches to a different drummer.  In fact, while this has been a small % of my downfall, it has also been a large % of where I am today, which all and all is a good place.

:-)

Chins up, a bit; now that some perspective...

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RE: Job. - 4/17/2008 7:01:55 AM   
sub4hire


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Roger,
I read this on the other list yesterday afternoon.  After the way you have been going on and on about this job since you got it.  It is hard for me to imagine you even really caring that you got fired.
The pay was low...not enough for the commute...remember those words?

Knowing your attitude going in, perhaps that is part of what got you fired to begin with?  I would celebrate if I were you.  You didn't want the job and they didn't want you.
Although that is your problem..being rejected.  It was ok when you were the one doing the rejecting. 

Go do something you couldn't do when you were working all day.  Be free and enjoy it.


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RE: Job. - 4/17/2008 10:16:39 AM   
Bethnai


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I hope you aren't. I have been fired one time in my life and it had nothing to do with my ability to do my job. It had everything to do with who the boss was doing.  Everybody knew it. She made sure that I knew it and that everyone else was aware of it. She did everything from stand behind me and scream at me to harassing phone calls.
I had another job in less than 6 hours.  They looked stupid. They still look stupid. It didn't make me feel any better. It was devestating. I thought that I was not worth a damn. I do not think that I had ever encountered a situation that I had truly "failed" in and not been able to bounce back in a matter of days.  There was not anything that I could do to change it, it was based on the fact I was not liked by her and viewed as a threat.

It took me 6 months to begin to recover financially and then some to "heal".   But, I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out wtf was wrong with me and the 99 reasons that I did not fit in.  My friends and ex-co workers had been trying to tell me that it did not really have anything to do with me.  I've even been not liked by much better.

Maybe the problem is not with you, maybe the problem is with the level of intelligence of whom your dealing with.  I have to wonder how many people actually fit in judging from the levels they sink to acquire that.

I truly hope your not. I would not wish that ride on anyone. Ok, maybe one other person. Definitely one other person.



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RE: Job. - 4/17/2008 10:19:46 AM   
Termyn8or


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Hunk, someone mentioned what you said about that job, and the first thing to dois to think of it for what it is, no big loss.

It sounds like you are floating, like you really haven't chosen a profession.

You might consider writing down everything you can do. You bought a house, so don't put down painting, but did you tile the bathroom or anything ? Landscaping ? How were your results on the phone ? Do you like to cook ?

The cooking part is tongue in cheek because Pennsylvania Culinary Institute advertises here. But it's an option like any other.

And then there are less cerebral options. Do you have a clean driving record ? Are you physically fit ? If so construction season is upon us. Even if you don't learn to lay bricks, laboring can pay quite well. There is alot to learn, and it all must be learned on the job. The work is very hard, and back in the day I loved it.

I am so hopelessly vested in a dying profession that I will be the one in trouble in a few years. I hope I can take my own advice.

People limit themselves. It is a natural fact. No one person can be aware of all the different jobs there are out there, it is too much to comprehend. But there is one thing, if you really want to work, you got something going for you.

You might be in better shape than you think. If you really have no direction right now, you are better off than I. My direction is set, I can do many things but can claim no professional experience. Once the industry in which I work dies, I will be in the same boat, maybe worse. I am 47 and don't even think of me driving. I can and will drive but I am not insurable. So couldn't even get a hack license, speaking of which have you considered that ? Driving a cab is one f those things that is what you make of it. You usually don't work for the company, you pay your daily lease and what you make is yours. You can cheat on taxes and all that good stuff if you have the gonads. But some people make a good living doing it and they meet people every day. It is a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

Prestige ? Fuck prestige, you work for money. I got prestige right now as I am one of the best in my field, but I would trade it for a good future. I have been sitting onmy laurels for so long they hurt, and I mean a pun there. Since where I work does not have a really good setup to do my job, I am usually sitting on the floor, sometimes laying on the floor to get the job done. It's detrimental to my physical condition. It beats onmy back,my knees and my roids. An upgrade is not likely to be forthcoming because the whole thing is only going to last a few more years. Only the best of the best are still in the business. But our time will come.

I frequently think about my options. I am a jack of many trades but the master of only a few. What's more I have no desire to get in at the bottom of the totem pole working for someone else. Right now I am top dog, but that is only in one profession. And only one facet of that profession. If you want details no problem, just ask, but I don't think it would be appropriate to go into all those details right now.

So in five years I think I will be out of a job. I will be 52. And I'll tell you something else about me that will put me in worse shape than you. I haven't worked full time in the last fifteen years or so. I simply don't have to. Therefore I am not used to it and when I am no longer a "prima donne" prospective employers are not going to like that. Add in no driving, and the tree of oppurtunity is quite pruned.

So take stock of everything you can do, at least competently. You may be the best cocksucker in the east, but leave that out. But there are surely many other things.

Here's a random thought, if you grate on people, which you put a different way, maybe you should think about working for a collection agency. Something like that, always be nice, but just talkingto you grates ontheir nerves. You might find your niche. While I haven't done it professionally I have a few pointers, the first of which is how to get the job. First of all you are computer literate, and if you had an acceptable phone voice for one company it should be good enough for another. If you land an interview they are going to ask you this question : When you are attmpting to collect a debt, what is the most important piece of information you need ? The answer is of course, where their money comes from. If you don't give that answer, you will not get the job. (a buddy of mine went into it a while back, and got back out, but that's him)

And of course you have to take into consideration others' opinion about you. I am not saying live by it, but it is another piece of information. It is up to you to determine it's truthfulness as well as it's relevence.

However, if you are indeed not a team player, then you must act accordingly. Some leaders are not the best team players. So perhaps you should consider starting a business. There are some businesses that can be started on a shoestring, although not the best paying ones. But if you can make one work at all, get just a cunthair ahead of the eightball, you can do it again. That means you can diversify.

And understand this, do not simply think about the options I have put forth, think about all your options. You can't see them yet. Think of damnear anything you have done successfully and put it on the list. Gradually your eyes open.

Just one thing, if you type like you type here don't go for being a typist LOL. You're articulate enough, but typing is not your strong point (cough).

Other than that you are not stupid. Something will come to you, like a lightbulb over your head, but only if you open yourself up to new possibilities. The first thing is to quit looking in the newspaper for a job. YOU pick and choose. IF you figure out something you can do, and you are willing to do, call every company in the phone book that does that.

Every job in the newspaper is the same way, you are dirt. Almost every company that uses that as a way to find hirees has a high turnover rate, after all they can always find more dirt.

All the good jobs except one, I got by walking in the door, that after a phone call of course. In other words they weren't looking, at least not hard enough to advertise. Sometimes you get your foot in the door parttime and that can take off.

T


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