Why I Was Fired
After my company settled a lawsuit out of court for more than they wanted I was identified as being partly responsible for their damages. I was severely reprimanded for not performing properly and put on warning that any further missteps for any reason could result in my termination. From that point, I was working under duress, and eventually I made what the company pinpointed as a "misstep:" I did not handle an investigation the way my company wanted me to. They felt they were at risk of exposure, I felt that I had moved forward properly to mitigate risk and exposure. This led to my termination for performance.
What Being Fired Has Been Like
Being fired has been horrifying. I have lost a huge chunk of confidence in myself and am suffering as if I have had a death in my family. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December last year, but this is even more devastating. After 13 years of being successful in my job, I can't wrap my brain around how I am going survive. Initially, I was angry and sought advice from my attorney as to how I should pursue litigation, but that has been tempered somewhat as I realized that that avenue could prolong the healing process. Thankfully, I have an understanding partner and we are not destitute financially. I am moving forward and realizing that there will forever be before firing and after firing, and that I will again regain confidence in my abilities. My biggest concerns have been financial (I was proud of my financial growth) and how to again hold my head up (I was also proud that I had grown in my job from enty level to senior management.) Digging into self help resources, analyzing how to structure my job search, remembering to "breathe" once in a while, and working to cultivate a positive attitude is helping me move forward.
Advice
- Don't hide under a bushel. Turn to your friends, family and advisors immediately. They will still support you and they know you more intimately than your empoyer ever did. If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, seek advice from an attorney (NOT an attorney-wanna-be!) and talk it out. You may discover that voicing your concerns may help release some pressure. I have found it helpful to detach myself from work-related relationships (for now) to avoid 1) fueling gossip mills, 2) keeping your wounds from healing 3) running the risk of any non-disclosure documentation you may have signed (or will sign.
