Fired for Reasons Unknown.....Three Times! (collect, transaction, company, insurance)

[dcarney]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I am sorry that you've gone through this. May I ask what type of jobs or what industry the jobs were in?

Health care.

Most likely, though, you may have just hit a string of bad luck with the employers you've chosen. Don't get discouraged!

Thank you.

Originally Posted by In2itive_1

I knew this sounded familiar, which had been discussed in a prior thread. It was suggested to have a conversation with the commander...(which I thought was stated to have done). This does not sound good and until the issue is addressed and lifted, it appears it will be a problem. I recall suggesting there being an unawareness of the seriousness of whatever had been said or done.

Yes, I have posted on this before. I've looked into it in depth and there is nothing on my record at all. I've checked myself on every database out there and there is nothing.

I did not contact the commander that actually caused this issue. I am simply not able to do that. If you know anything about the military, you can't simply call a full bird colonel directly and ask them about anything. Also, these commanders don't have much reach outside of the military.

So, again, I don't believe the issue is that someone is following me around and trying to sabotage. I don't think I'm blacklisted. I don't think there's some database out there with my name on it and it's coming to light after I get a job.

I believe that my issue is either performance-related or an inability to accurately assess a company.

Originally Posted by chb119

There is more here.

This many jobs, this many terminations, in a short period. What is clear, is that there is something coming to light quickly. Have you run a background check and credit on yourself? You might be clean, but mistakes happen and things get applied to the wrong records all the time.

I have run background and credit checks on myself and they all came back clean. I've also run checks in various health care-related databases and these, too, have come back clean.

Originally Posted by chiluvr1228

Florida is an "at will" state where an employer can fire you for no reason at all. I once worked in Human Resources in NC and NY and a former employer can only confirm your dates of employment, your salary and your job duties. The only negative thing they are allowed to say is yes or no when asked if you "are eligible for rehire". That being said, doesn't mean a former employer will say something bad to someone he/she knows who is considering hiring a former employee.

Yes, I am "at will" and I was on my probationary periods at both jobs. So they could fire me all they want for any reason at all.

Now to the OP - sometimes these things happen through no fault of your own. Good luck and pick your next job carefully, none of these high turnover places. And thank you for your service.

Thank you. It's hard to tell which companies have a high turnover. From my experience, both employers and employees tend to be less than honest about these kinds of things during the interview process.

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

A few observations from a hiring manager, also a veteran, also having been unemployed for a year within the recent past. It is clear in my mind after reading all the thread comments and responses that OP is not divulging all info. No response to what industry, type of position, or clue as to what has gone wrong after three failed employments is a huge red flag.

1) Industry: health care.

2) Type of position: provider

3) What has gone wrong: First position that I did not begin was a bad reference. Second position that I only worked for 2 weeks - I don't really know. They were very vague and I was very surprised so I didn't ask questions that I should have. Third position - I discussed this in detail in an earlier post.

There is no conspiracy by the government to keep people from getting jobs due to military activities, or based on security clearance. There is an effort to hide how poorly the economy is actually doing right now and the competitive nature of the job market. I am currently interviewing for two positions in a boom area (Austin, TX) and both are below average pay for the area and had 91 applicants for one and 65 for the other. The market is still super competitive. There are less people working today in the US economy than there was almost 10 years ago. Many people across the country are underemployed and looking to move up. This puts employers in a position of strength when it comes to hiring and keeping staff. Suspicion of problems within the first 90 days are grounds for an employer to cut ties and try a different candidate.

Agreed.

1. Evaluate your skills and passion, forget your experience. What do you want to do. Go after it.
2. Figure out how to make what you have done match what you want to do. Cross reference the skills and abilities to the MOS and blah blah blah that the military says you did.
3. Remain positive. You are an asset if you are ready to perform for an employer. If you are negative, pushing blame, or seeking a hidden agenda, it will show through to a good interviewer. If not then, it will come out once you are on board and you will again find yourself on the outside.
4. Seek a mentor. If you are serious, PM me and I will discuss with you what the resume looks like and what options are available. Otherwise, find someone that hires and fires and reads resumes all the time.
5. Do practice interviews. Do skill and personality surveys, and identify what your weaknesses are versus your strengths.


Good luck.

Thank you.

[Nlambert]

Originally Posted by JTE1969

My Dad worked for the City of Chicago Water Dept and not once did he say a coworker was a vet.

Gov jobs are not the panacea to problems where "people are secretly being blacklisted."

The solution is to get rid of the secret database or not trust it all the time, because often,
people cannot be trusted to put an honest word about someone. There are many backstabbers, slanderers, and liars out there too.

Uh.... there are no secret databases.... There are networks of people that know managers in other companies. Over time, you may find that these networks have built enough relationships that people find out about you from someone you knew. Best bet is to never burn a bridge. You never known at what point that may come back to haunt you. People are connected, especially today. You have to watch what you put online or allow to be put online about you. It could quickly be found and used against you.




OP, here's to wishing you the best of luck. Keep your head down and stay the course. You may need to talk to someone to help you determine your assessment skills so that you have a better chance of weeding out a job that may not be a good fit for whatever reason.

[JTE1969]

You guys don't suspect there is a secret database only because "You've never been negatively affected by it..." Hence you don't know it exists.

I also took a road trip halfway around the country, went from Chicago to Lake Jackson, TX, - and a nasty lady in the "secret network" is disrespecting me that I'm "-----...." [something that I'm not...] Nobody should have known me there!

I suspect "secret databases" exist because there has been many "cause and effect" circumstances that has happened in my life that most possibly proves they EXIST.

[Nlambert]

Originally Posted by JTE1969

You guys don't suspect there is a secret database only because "You've never been negatively affected by it..." Hence you don't know it exists.

I also took a road trip halfway around the country, went from Chicago to Lake Jackson, TX, - and a nasty lady in the "secret network" is disrespecting me that I'm "-----...." [something that I'm not...] Nobody should have known me there!

I suspect "secret databases" exist because there has been many "cause and effect" circumstances that has happened in my life that most possibly proves they EXIST.

Your experience proves nothing unfortunately other than a conspiracy theory. I have been in the position to have access to said database if one did exist. However, I have told you how this works.


If I have a resume' on my desk for a machinist position and see that this guy worked for my competitor.... I can call my competitor (the industry had a few key players in the field in this area and we often had to work together to produce products to meet our customer's schedule since we shared the customer) and ask for a reference on the employee. If it came back negatively, I may no longer consider that one. Or.... if he said he worked at XYZ Bank and I happen to know the branch manager I may see him while grocery shopping and bring it up. If he gives a negative reference, I may no longer consider that person.


It's a network of people... not a database. In certain industries, there are large networks of people who know each other through work functions, collaboration on projects, etc.... They DO talk and if a level of trust has been built between the people in the network their references may be used as the deciding factor in hiring or keeping someone.

[bpollen]

Originally Posted by dcarney

Hey all.

I'm in a bad way right now. I just found out that I was fired for the second time in 6 months. I recently got out of the military. All was good at the time.

I got out and had a job lined up with a contracting company. That fell through at the last minute. I was told that it had to do with one of my references, but nothing beyond that.

After that, I got a job with a somewhat shady company. The first week seemed to go fine. They decreased my hours considerably the second week and I was fired at the end of that week. I was told that this was due to performance issues, though they were very vague about it and never counseled me on anything.

After that, I left my home state and moved to a different state. It was a state I was planning to move to anyway. I got a job there with what I thought was an awesome employer. Things seemed to be going well. They kept giving me more and more responsibilities and I was doing as much work as everyone else, sometimes more. This company has a website. They had a professional photographer come and take pictures of me. They put my name, a bio, and my picture on their website.

I went to work today. I had a great day. I really felt like I was learning all of the systems and getting things down pat. Then WHAM! I get a call tonight from the office manager, stating that I'm fired and that I have to go in tomorrow to give the company laptop back. She, again, cited performance issues. But if I was really performing badly, then why were they giving me more work? Hell, I actually had a schedule of assignments for the next month.

So I've basically been fired three times in the past 6 months. The first one seemed to be from a bad reference. I figured out who that was and didn't list them as a reference anymore (which is why I got the next 2 jobs).

Now, I'm not blaming the companies. There absolutely has to be something wrong with me, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten fired from two entirely different companies for similar reasons.

But this last one really blindsided me. I mean they really went above and beyond to include me in multiple areas. They gave me a laptop, printed business cards with my info on it, and even put me on their website.

So I'm very confused. If my performance was so bad, why go through all of that? Hell, if they weren't interested in keeping me, why go through all of that?

Maybe it's a personality issue. Maybe I'm less pleasant than I thought I was?

Any ideas? Anyone have anything similar happen to them?

You have been told twice that it's job performance, though they didn't say in what way. It's possible they just said that as an excuse, which is why there were no details.

Here are things I've known others to be fired for shortly after being hired:

1. One was because a theft charge was on her record (having to do w/an old NSF check); it took a week or two for the co. to get around doing the background check.

2. One was because the guy was the most obnoxious guy you'd ever want to meet at the workplace. They fired him quickly, even though his work may have been fine. He came in with no experience, and in a short amount of time was telling his supervisor and everyone else how things would work better if they did this or that. He was irritating and a know it all, when in fact he knew nothing. They got rid of him. You can't work with someone like that. Even though it was his personality, it was "job performance," since it affected his job performance (job performance means minding your own business, being a good coworker that doesn't make waves, etc.). He did it again, when he got a part time job helping a relative at his Bingo Hall where they served fast food. The relative said that in just a day or two, the guy was telling the relative how to better run the place, that it would be better if he did this or that.

3. Once a secretary was fired quickly because she was just an upleasant person to be around. Her personality was okay, to the extent she had one. She'd sit at her desk chewing on ice, fiddling with the internet until someone gave her something to do. She didn't smile often. She was just a weird, lazy person who, as they say, "didn't fit in." Her boss was uncomfortable around her. I think they told her it wasn't a good fit.

4. I knew two people who were fired because they borrowed money from a coworker or supervisor and didn't pay it back. The worker/supervisor reported it, since it was a coworker situation and happened at the office. The people were important enough so that the one who borrowed and didn't pay it back was fired. (Not paying it back is called theft.) I think he was told why, though, rather than some vague reason.

Being military, I am wondering if your personality is part of the problem. Are you overbearing or pushy? Do you "order" your coworkers around, not taking care to ask politely and such? Maybe not, but being military, I was wondering if that could be part of it. Do you try to fit in with the group? That's as important as anything. No one works alone in an office. It's a team.

Would a background check turn up anything questionable? Dishonorable discharge? Unpaid tickets? Prior criminal conviction? Bad credit score? (companies look at credit scores now, which I find inappropriate.)

Are there thefts going on in the office, such that people think you did it, but the company can't prove it? So they let you go, citing vague reasons. That avoids a lawsuit.

Grooming? Being military, I assume you're a stickler about grooming. But I've worked with people who are just so sloppy or smell bad, so that everyone in the office is uncomfortable around them. One gal in our office wore the same sweatsuit (yes...warmups) to the office every day. Later she told someone that it was different sweatsuits; she had two of the same color, so she wore a different one on different days. She said.

I think it's unlikely that someone is stalking you by calling everywhere you work and reporting something. Because if they did, I think the company is likely to ask you about it, so they get your side. Unless they're reporting a factual thing....like a prior criminal conviction.

You had a laptop at home from this last company. Did you search the internet for something inappropriate on the laptop? Porn?

Do you know a coworker at your last employment so that you could call him/her and ask for insight into the reason you were let go? There's usually gossip around the office about firings, or word gets around beforehand of some problem.

I think it's odd the companies aren't more specific.

[JTE1969]

Originally Posted by Nlambert

Your experience proves nothing unfortunately other than a conspiracy theory. I have been in the position to have access to said database if one did exist. However, I have told you how this works.

.....

It's a network of people... not a database. In certain industries, there are large networks of people who know each other through work functions, collaboration on projects, etc.... They DO talk and if a level of trust has been built between the people in the network their references may be used as the deciding factor in hiring or keeping someone.

Network of people, huh?

Well, one time I did the "Bike The Lakefront" ride of Chicago. I was riding my hot and awesome $9000 retail 2006 CF Cervelo Soloist Team with Zip 404's. Then I stopped by the park and noticed a nice white guy with a recumbent that had Zipp wheels on them. I was just having a nice conversation with him talking about bike stuff when an old man in some other kind of bike stops up and then talks crap about me to him, and I literally don't know this guy... So I suspect that he was part of a secret network that had "bad data" about me, to negate my having friendships, opportunities, and work in LIFE. He looked like some kind of FREEMASON, too. And I've seen FREEMASON marked cars on the road, too.

YES. There are SECRET NETWORKS. FREEMASONS, SKULL & BONES [WHERE BUSH WAS ONE AND HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO BE PRESIDENT], N.W.O. TOO...

If you are in the network I bet the CODE IN THE NETWORK IS NOT TO EXPOSE THE NETWORK. Yes, it's still 50/50 on this... IT COULD BE A REALITY OR IT COULD JUST BE A CONSPIRACY TO "KEEP IN MIND..."

But there have been MANY EVIL THINGS HAPPENING IN AMERICA SINCE THE DEPRESSION / RECESSION STARTED IN SUMMER 2008.

THOSE WEIRD AMAZON BOOKS I PICTURED, THEY HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

[mochamajesty]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

The City of Chicago offers veterans hiring preference, it's in all their job listings online: NOTE : The City of Chicago offers Veterans Preference to both current, active military personnel AND military personnel who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received an honorable or general discharge. Eligible candidates must have at least six months of active duty documented.

All federal jobs offer veterans hiring preference and so do most state and local jobs. This is the policy for California:

"Any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, who achieves a passing score in an entrance examination, shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list."

this site lists the policy for each state: State Veteran's Benefits | Military.com

The nice part about a government job is that there are no 'secret blacklists', and no petty games about whether your 'fit in', leaving you wondering what the heck you did wrong. In a civil service job if you are qualified you are hired, if you do your job you can stay as long as you want.

Pretty much. Veteran's preference is the law - not sure about the claim that there are no vets at all in a government entity.

[dcarney]

Originally Posted by bpollen

You have been told twice that it's job performance, though they didn't say in what way. It's possible they just said that as an excuse, which is why there were no details.

I updated the thread the next day. I did get more details in the second job as to what exactly happened. It seemed to be due to a third party audit and a policy that they have to get rid of anybody at any time on the spot if certain aspects of this audit are not up to par. I was not aware of the audit, nor was I aware that I was not meeting certain criteria that I needed to remain employed.

Is this true? Well, the explanation was pretty detailed, but they could just be using it as an excuse. I'll never know.

Here are things I've known others to be fired for shortly after being hired:

1. One was because a theft charge was on her record (having to do w/an old NSF check); it took a week or two for the co. to get around doing the background check.

I was never charged with anything or arrested. I've done multiple background checks on myself and they're all clean.

2. One was because the guy was the most obnoxious guy you'd ever want to meet at the workplace. They fired him quickly, even though his work may have been fine. He came in with no experience, and in a short amount of time was telling his supervisor and everyone else how things would work better if they did this or that. He was irritating and a know it all, when in fact he knew nothing. They got rid of him. You can't work with someone like that. Even though it was his personality, it was "job performance," since it affected his job performance (job performance means minding your own business, being a good coworker that doesn't make waves, etc.). He did it again, when he got a part time job helping a relative at his Bingo Hall where they served fast food. The relative said that in just a day or two, the guy was telling the relative how to better run the place, that it would be better if he did this or that.

I created documents and procedures that I thought would help. I did this completely myself on my own time. I let people know that I did these things and put them into the company folder for everyone to access. It was more of a "I think this could work. It's available if you'd like to use it". People seemed to appreciate this.

Beyond that, I did my work and followed directions.

3. Once a secretary was fired quickly because she was just an upleasant person to be around. Her personality was okay, to the extent she had one. She'd sit at her desk chewing on ice, fiddling with the internet until someone gave her something to do. She didn't smile often. She was just a weird, lazy person who, as they say, "didn't fit in." Her boss was uncomfortable around her. I think they told her it wasn't a good fit.

I smile all the time and I'm friendly. I don't have a temper. I get to know people. I didn't get the impression that I was disliked or that people were uncomfortable around me, but who knows? Maybe they are and I just don't know it.

4. I knew two people who were fired because they borrowed money from a coworker or supervisor and didn't pay it back. The worker/supervisor reported it, since it was a coworker situation and happened at the office. The people were important enough so that the one who borrowed and didn't pay it back was fired. (Not paying it back is called theft.) I think he was told why, though, rather than some vague reason.

I never borrowed money from anyone or took anything from the office at all.

Being military, I am wondering if your personality is part of the problem. Are you overbearing or pushy? Do you "order" your coworkers around, not taking care to ask politely and such? Maybe not, but being military, I was wondering if that could be part of it. Do you try to fit in with the group? That's as important as anything. No one works alone in an office. It's a team.

I don't order anybody to do anything. I'm very polite. I say please and thank you. I participated in all of the group lunches and joked around with the staff. I helped people out with things. People commented to me that I'm a good team player (though, I do acknowledge that they may have been saying something different when I wasn't around).

Would a background check turn up anything questionable? Dishonorable discharge? Unpaid tickets? Prior criminal conviction? Bad credit score? (companies look at credit scores now, which I find inappropriate.)

Nothing questionable in my background check. Honorable discharge. Multiple tickets, but all paid. No criminal convictions. "Excellent" credit score.

Are there thefts going on in the office, such that people think you did it, but the company can't prove it? So they let you go, citing vague reasons. That avoids a lawsuit.

No thefts that I'm aware of.

Grooming? Being military, I assume you're a stickler about grooming. But I've worked with people who are just so sloppy or smell bad, so that everyone in the office is uncomfortable around them. One gal in our office wore the same sweatsuit (yes...warmups) to the office every day. Later she told someone that it was different sweatsuits; she had two of the same color, so she wore a different one on different days. She said.

I cut my hair regularly, shower twice daily, and wear clean clothes.

I think it's unlikely that someone is stalking you by calling everywhere you work and reporting something. Because if they did, I think the company is likely to ask you about it, so they get your side. Unless they're reporting a factual thing....like a prior criminal conviction.

I agree.

You had a laptop at home from this last company. Did you search the internet for something inappropriate on the laptop? Porn?

Nothing inappropriate. Only work-related subjects. I would never look at porn from a company computer.

Do you know a coworker at your last employment so that you could call him/her and ask for insight into the reason you were let go? There's usually gossip around the office about firings, or word gets around beforehand of some problem.

Unfortunately, I was not there long enough to build these kinds of relationships. In this company, there was a weird dynamic, as I found out from the office manager during my last interaction with her that many of the other employees there that were thought by the staff to have quit were actually fired in a similar manner that I was.

Then they gave me extra money on the way out, which I interpret as a way to satisfy me and discourage me from making waves.

I think it's odd the companies aren't more specific.

The first company wasn't. The second company was when I pressed the issue.

[TheShadow]

I would have never accepted a "bad fit" type of excuse for your firing. In the future insist on them giving you specific examples of the way in which you are "not fitting in". If they can't give a single example, then I would be going to the Equal Employment Opportunity folks and filing some kind of a complaint. You don't have to be a jerk when talking to them and get all threatening, in fact don't do that! Just explain that you are taking this very seriously because it's your future and you really want to improve so please tell you what ways you can improve in your next position. Take careful notice of the words they use and even write them down as soon afterward as you can so you can quote accurately what they say if you need to. Something is wrong here, unless you aren't telling us the whole truth.

[JTE1969]

I have to tell you, I was living in Houston TX when I had a Proe job interview 55 miles north, way past the Woodlands. I was interviewing and doing good in the interview when some guy in the back says, "He wouldn't be a good fit..."

I almost got mad and blasted him, but I kept quiet. I couldn't understand why someone 55 miles north of me would personally know me or my character to deem me unfit to work with. I had only lived in Houston probably 14 months by then. And I have a nice character and personality to get along with and be friends. So next time that happens in an interview, I'll be ready to counteract that FALSE accusation.

So chalk up another incident to a supposed "secret network tapping a secret database."

You may be a nice and fine person but some bad nogood person could have tainted your "secret database record."

Are you a Catholic too? Maybe a secret persecution of Roman Catholics is going on, especially if an Antichrist wants to come into this World.