Fired for cursing at no one? (employee, applying, unemployed, employers)

[acidtone]

So I just got this new job after 7 months of unemployment. But before I got to day 4 I got a call from my recruiter telling me I was fired! Dismayed, I asked why. She said, someone overheard me saying naughty words and told the GM. Now I had worked in law firms pretty much most of my career and cursing (among other things) was acceptable in the lawyer culture.

So I was employed in an insurance company, and I was leaving to go home. So of course my phone rang. I took the call in a empty hallway near a few cubicles. It was my boyfriend. I called him a selfish *******. I was just joking with him. I might have said crap or something else.

I know I have a cursing problem when it comes to inanimate objects or when I screw something up. But that's about it. I kind of don't know if it was an overreaction on their part or I was legitimately wrong.

[kodaka]

Yes you can be fired for cursing, even when it isn't directed at a specific person.

Sorry. File for unemployment. If you hadn't been warned about the policy in the past, you'll likely qualify.

[Squirl]

You absolutely can be discharged -- especially as a brand new employee -- when its determined pretty quickly that you don't fit the culture. And having a potty mouth clearly would not fit in many environments. Maybe you should consider applying at a strip joint or working as a horse groomer. I understand your vocabulary would be quite acceptable at those places.

[bobtn]

7 months unemployed, and on day 4 you aren't watching every step you take. Insane!

Focus, you must adhere to the employers standards, the customer is always right, and theya re the customer for your services.

[acidtone]

Originally Posted by Squirl

You absolutely can be discharged -- especially as a brand new employee -- when its determined pretty quickly that you don't fit the culture. And having a potty mouth clearly would not fit in many environments. Maybe you should consider applying at a strip joint or working as a horse groomer. I understand your vocabulary would be quite acceptable at those places.

Well it was somewhat of a culture shock to me. Like I said, lawyer culture is not soft and cuddly like many offices. Its a tornado of f-bombs, old coffee, and generally sour demeanors.

So it didn't really cross my mind that saying "*******" or "crap" once in a empty hallway would offend someone so much that they would get me fired over it.

I learned a lesson from it definitely. To watch my mouth in the future outside of the legal universe. But no need to be so judgmental. I'm sure if you were at my former firm and complained about "cursing" they would tell you to grow up and deal with it. Every place is different I suppose.

Lesson learned that is for certain.

[bobtn]

I'd watch the language even in a law office. Assume every office is 100% professional, all the time.

[ValueAddedWorker]

There's a woman in my office who shrieks and curses dropping the F bomb liberally, especially during lunch time where her voice carries. I wish management would say something about the rude behavior but they let it go.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by acidtone

So I just got this new job after 7 months of unemployment. But before I got to day 4 I got a call from my recruiter telling me I was fired! Dismayed, I asked why. She said, someone overheard me saying naughty words and told the GM. Now I had worked in law firms pretty much most of my career and cursing (among other things) was acceptable in the lawyer culture.

So I was employed in an insurance company, and I was leaving to go home. So of course my phone rang. I took the call in a empty hallway near a few cubicles. It was my boyfriend. I called him a selfish *******. I was just joking with him. I might have said crap or something else.

I know I have a cursing problem when it comes to inanimate objects or when I screw something up. But that's about it. I kind of don't know if it was an overreaction on their part or I was legitimately wrong.

It is a special place in hell for snitches. Especially the kind you encountered.

[CoolSocks]

Originally Posted by kodaka

Yes you can be fired for cursing, even when it isn't directed at a specific person.

Sorry. File for unemployment. If you hadn't been warned about the policy in the past, you'll likely qualify.

The OP can't file for unemployment because he/she was only employed for four days.

[bobtn]

Plus, its going to be ruled fired for cause, no doubt. One cannot assume they can talk as they would in a bar at work. Fired for cause = unemployment disqualification, and you can bet agency will back the customer..which is the employer.