I started a new job today, and I do have experience but it has been 5 years since I've done something like it. I got overwhelmed and told the boss that I was feeling nervous and didn't know what to do, so he fired me. He said if I feel that way then I will probably end up quitting and he don't want people thinking he can't keep help. Am I just really stupid and not able to keep a job, or was he wrong for handling it that way?
2006-11-24 13:05:19 · 20 answers · asked by melinda_8205 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
no. in many businesses, it's sink or swim.
2006-11-24 13:07:20 · answer #1 · answered by The Indigo Cobra 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I might normally side with your boss, since he, after all, does know what the job requires and whether someone's lack of understanding on day one is likely to translate to permanently poor performance. However, if your story is a true account, the boss didn't fire you because of any concern for the business; he fired you because he didn't want a decision you may or may not make down the road to reflect poorly _on him_. That's self-preservation of the most selfish kind. I'm guessing (ok, damn near guaranteeing) that this man is an employee rather than the owner of the business, and he is demonstrating that he would rather do what looks good but is in actuality bad for business (it costs a lot of money to find and hire employees, so firing people on the first day is likely to cost a lot in the long run), than do what really is best for business.
If it makes you feel any better, the guy doesn't sound like the ideal person to work for. He may have saved you a lot of future frustration.
2006-11-24 13:20:36 · answer #2 · answered by bgdddymtty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had two jobs after I retired, and felt completely overwhelmed the first day with both! Everyone is nervous the first day. I trained many people in my long-time job, and every one of them were nervous and didn't know our routine.
Your boss handled this completely wrong in my opinion. When you told him you were nervous, he should have told you that was normal, and asked you what he could do to help. That would have been the best way for him to handle it!
But think of it this way---he may have done you a favor, because he sounds like a creep to me, and you probably would have quit down the line! Who would want to work for a man like that? I sure wouldn't!
So start looking for another job---you aren't stupid! And don't even mention this job on your resume! It doesn't count.
Good luck on finding a nicer place to work!
2006-11-24 22:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by Cat Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not have fired an employee for admitting that they felt overwhelmed on the first day, because I’m sure 99% of all employees feel that way on their first day. Your boss sounds like he is looking for Mr/Ms Perfect and he’s never going to find him/her but will make everyone miserable along the way. He’s also probably the type that would not have given you the training and support you need to do your job.
However, from most of the answers above, I think we’ve all learned that it’s far better to lie to an employer and pretend you’re totally ‘with it’ on your first day rather than asking for help to succeed. And companies wonder why there is such high turnover today? The managers above give a perfect example of the reason for that.
2006-11-24 15:35:19 · answer #4 · answered by Karen L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that most businesses have a probationary period for new hires, where the boss can fire you without a reason. He knows the business better than you do, so maybe he's seeing that you'll just continue to be overwhelmed and it won't work out for both of you. Don't worry, though, I think you can find a job that fits you better.
2006-11-25 06:00:31 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were you hired based on your experience of job?
Some job has higher demand of knowledge of work and if you didn't meet their expectation, they'll want to know why.
You will also be able to to feel if the job is too much for you to handle if it's something you are familiar with.
feeling nervous is understandable on first day, didn't know what to do is not.
Try to say " I might need a little help to get myself organized in here. You are running busier place then I thought. Be petision with me, would you?"
He is the boss, and it's within his power to decide to hire someone new and trains, or get some one who knows the job.
It's your job to convince him why he should keep you.
2006-11-24 15:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by wonderwoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what kind of job this was or if you were working for a large corporation or a small business. It sounds as though you were fired without any real cause. In any case, I think your boss handled that poorly. And I don't believe that your statement to your boss was stupid. I have employees that report to me and they are free to say how they feel. I'd rather know than not know, so that I can help. Because in the end, they are judged on the results of their work, not whether or not they express a fear.
2006-11-24 13:10:55 · answer #7 · answered by nichelle 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
You talked too much, honestly. Just a little too much - it would have been better if you had organized yourself and taken some time to learn things before going to your boss about feeling overwhelmed. I would have fired you too, because you probably spent time in the interviewing phase trying to convince him you were right for the job, had experience and could make an impact, and on your very first day in "action", you refuted all of that in one sentence. As a manager, he doesn't have time to waste figuring out months down the road that you weren't right for the job. Sorry hon.
2006-11-24 14:22:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
On the first day? Well it may not be wrong, but it makes me think he is simple minded, if that's the reason. I think almost everyone feels overwhelmed on their first day of a new job, and if they aren't it's going to be a boring as hell job. (They'll certainly quit because of that. Nothing worse than boredom.) To me it sounds like you were just giving honest feedback and he's a flipping idiot. Of course I don't know the whole story.
2006-11-24 13:19:09 · answer #9 · answered by makingthisup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
none of u is wrong. u are right for confessing. and he is right for firing you, because maybe the position is too tough, maybe thousands of applicants leave within the next few weeks. he wants some1 tough to stay in this position. but the truth is, he is just cramping all kinds of tasks into the position, making applicants work overtime.
i've worked for positions that handles almost everything and low pay while my boss sits on his throne and sleep.
no worries, that job probably is very abusing. get a new job. good luck. may the god bless u.
2006-11-24 13:13:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you're able to draft a short letter explaining the exchange in the Disney deal and mail to absolutely everyone who offered it. It additionally seems which you're able to have gained a letter or memo out of your boss that this deal has replaced. no longer fullyyt your fault IMHO.
2016-10-04 08:13:50 · answer #11 · answered by kroner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋