I lost my job.

[InternetSwag]

So I'm working a late shift and our operations manager phones me 15 minutes before we close, 'hey, can I buy you a drink after work?' I ask him if x person can come with, also an employee. He says no, I want to talk to you alone. I got pretty nervous, not knowing what to expect. We meet up at a pub and he buys me a drink and gives me a shot of tequila.

He tells me he has bad news, the company is letting me and some others go at the end of January-Early Feb. I sat there shocked, could not look him in the eyes and I tried my best to fight back the tears, they did well up though and a tear ran down my cheek despite trying so hard not to. I sat like this for about 3 minutes, not saying anything. Not knowing what to say.

He asks me, how pissed off are you right now? I say not at all, it's still sinking in. Then I asked him who the others are that are being let go, they all worked there about 3-4 months max. Me? I worked there for 14. I asked him why, he said there's just too much staff.

This was all such a shock to me, since my friend resigned a week earlier, so I asked him who is going to replace him? He says no one and that they are using the staff they have more.


So we say our goodbyes and I put on a strong face, but as soon as I stop to leave and drive home the tears just couldn't be held back anymore. It's such a horrible feeling and I honestly would not wish it on my worst enemy.


I'm so angry, I did a lot for the company. It's not like the company is not making money, just two of our 10 stores in one center make about 1.4 million a month and that's just two stores. I did so much more than just retail work, I did admin, worked about 4 months with more than 220 hours - maxing 236 once, which is actually illegal I'm told. But I didn't care, I thought if I did the hard yards it would pay off in the end.


I don't know what to do. I'm angry, I feel like setting up a meeting and murdering my boss just to show that just because they are in power does not make them God. Maybe not kill, just disfigure her face so she has something to remind her of me every time she looks in the mirror. Something that'll last as long as my distaste about this entire situation.

But, that's just foolish talk that'll never leave the corridors of my mind.

 

[Brenden_E]

Not sure if serious, or writing a short story...

 

[Mbuzi]

Eish!

 

[R13...]

Sorry Swag, guess you can take up that studying you've been meaning to to full time now. You're still young

 

[twicode]

Hard life lessons. As children we got tought the Little Red Hen and The grasshopper and the ant. Real life doesn't quite work out that way.

 

[rwenzori]

In terms of labour laws, that is about as procedurally incorrect as it gets.

 

[Billy]

In terms of labour laws, that is about as procedurally incorrect as it gets.

Yes. No notice of intent, no consultation. Definitely CCMA territory.

However, going the CCMA route is not good for future employment prospects.

 

[Hamster]

Yes. No notice of intent, no consultation. Definitely CCMA territory.

However, going the CCMA route is not good for future employment prospects.

I'm no expert but IIRC they won't be able to hire any new staff without offering the job to the retrenched employees first. If your lively hood depended on it or you had a family I'd go to the CCMA but in this case rather not. Get a good reference from them and let it be. You are way too young to start burning bridges already.

You can see this as a blessing in disguise (not now, but eventually) that helped you move on with your career. You can't work there forever anyway. It is a bit of a shock to your system though and you probably feel very vulnerable and humiliated right now. It'll pass (not now, but eventually). Good luck

 

[d0b33]

Was this your first job? One thing I've learnt is that no-one appreciates extra effort, just do what your expected unless you're working with the CEO directly. I worked my ass off last year but got no bonus, ****ty designer completed his projects that look like **** but since he completed it he gets a bonus.

 

[satanboy]

In terms of labour laws, that is about as procedurally incorrect as it gets.

yup...go to the CCMA

 

[satanboy]

Was this your first job? One thing I've learnt is that no-one appreciates extra effort, just do what your expected unless you're working with the CEO directly. I worked my ass off last year but got no bonus, ****ty designer completed his projects that look like **** but since he completed it he gets a bonus.

same crap where I work...but I guess it happens everywhere

 

[be.plato]

""

Sorry to hear man, this is never easy.

You sound like a hard worker who is willing to work learn everything he can.
There aren't that many people like that.

But you'll get another job, and you'll also get over you anger.
And hopefully get over being angry about your bosses, it may not be easy for them either.

One day you might be a boss and have to lay off people, now you know what it's like.

And remember, the cream always rises to the top.

I got myself fired from 2 jobs before, wasn't fun, but got another one easily enough.

You got fired twice? What do you write on your cv and do future employers ever ask to phone these previous employers?

 

[guest2013-1]

severance pay yay!

 

[intel8080]

It was in restaurants, so doesn't carry much weight.
And I didn't do anything that's a dismissible offence.

If you sukkeled with an owner/manager they could just tell you to fsk off.
Not much you could do about it.

I had plenty of contacts, so getting another job was easy.

I hear what you are saying. The problem is you get fired even quicker the 3th time around (and so on and so forth). I will never bother hiring a worker who gets fired regularly.You see, I don't believe in coincidences.
To the op. While I can understand your anger you must also understand the predicament the business is in. South Africa is not exactly the easiest way to setup and run a business. If you are really good then your qualifications will show and you'll find another job. Keep in mind, a qualification doesn't show only what you have learned but also how dedicated you are! Employers look at that too. In a less demanded field it is better to have a lower qualification with hi marks then the other way around! Wish you all the best and head up.

 

[InternetSwag]

Sorry Swag, guess you can take up that studying you've been meaning to to full time now. You're still young

I wanted to study Dietetics/Sports and Recreational Exercise at UWC. 4 years and get a degree, but their faculties are full for 2013.

My plan was to lug around another year and study next year.

Hard life lessons. As children we got tought the Little Red Hen and The grasshopper and the ant. Real life doesn't quite work out that way.

I'm scared, if I recall correctly SA has an unemployment percentage of 36%. I guess the best I can do is start pumping out CV's.

Yes. No notice of intent, no consultation. Definitely CCMA territory.

However, going the CCMA route is not good for future employment prospects.

Even when it's justified? I'm clearly not the one in the wrong in this scenario. Manager did say he'd give me a good reference saying I have over a year of experience.

""

Sorry to hear man, this is never easy.

You sound like a hard worker who is willing to work learn everything he can.
There aren't that many people like that.

But you'll get another job, and you'll also get over you anger.
And hopefully get over being angry about your bosses, it may not be easy for them either.

One day you might be a boss and have to lay off people, now you know what it's like.

And remember, the cream always rises to the top.

I got myself fired from 2 jobs before, wasn't fun, but got another one easily enough.

Thanks for the kind words. I guess I should not get demotivated, this is my first time getting fired. It's like I got part of me ripped away. It's so easy to get into a routine and now that's taken from me.

severance pay yay!

I did not receive such a thing.

 

[SmartKit]

I wanted to study Dietetics/Sports and Recreational Exercise at UWC. 4 years and get a degree, but their faculties are full for 2013.

My plan was to lug around another year and study next year.



I'm scared, if I recall correctly SA has an unemployment percentage of 36%. I guess the best I can do is start pumping out CV's.



Even when it's justified? I'm clearly not the one in the wrong in this scenario. Manager did say he'd give me a good reference saying I have over a year of experience.



Thanks for the kind words. I guess I should not get demotivated, this is my first time getting fired. It's like I got part of me ripped away. It's so easy to get into a routine and now that's taken from me.



I did not receive such a thing.

CCMA time. Know your rights! You can't just be fired, but negotiate a proper severance package.

 

[wombling]

Sorry to hear this. Sad news indeed. Remember there is a distinction here, they say they are letting you go but in actual fact you are being retrenched. This is not being fired. While both may result in the same thing - namely the loss of your job, in terms of future employment, it is better to be retrenched than fired. Whatever their reasons - restructures or downsizing, I would get a good reference letter and move on. Going to the CCMA at best might get you additional severance pay. It wont be worth staying because there has already been a breakdown in trust. If you stayed there, you would always wonder if they are angling to get you out. I would just move on. Brush up your CV, get a good reference letter and find a company you can be happy to work for.

 

[Lupus]

I wanted to study Dietetics/Sports and Recreational Exercise at UWC. 4 years and get a degree, but their faculties are full for 2013.

My plan was to lug around another year and study next year.



I'm scared, if I recall correctly SA has an unemployment percentage of 36%. I guess the best I can do is start pumping out CV's.



Even when it's justified? I'm clearly not the one in the wrong in this scenario. Manager did say he'd give me a good reference saying I have over a year of experience.



Thanks for the kind words. I guess I should not get demotivated, this is my first time getting fired. It's like I got part of me ripped away. It's so easy to get into a routine and now that's taken from me.



I did not receive such a thing.

CCMA time. Know your rights! You can't just be fired, but negotiate a proper severance package.

If he is retail I don't think the ccma will help much unfortunately they don't take much credence to the law and contracts.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

....
I'm scared, if I recall correctly SA has an unemployment percentage of 36%. I guess the best I can do is start pumping out CV's.
...

Sorry to hear about your situation, its not nice and I also do not wish it on my worst enemy. I've also been there and its tough.

But don't let the unemployment rate scare you, fact is factors like location, experience, education, attitude and did I mention location, are all factors that contribute. Employers want people with experience but more important (and ironic) employers want staff who are currently employed - best thing to do is get out there today and start sending off your CV.

 

[The_Ogre]

Chin up, chest out!!!