What do you think of this situation-- Ask for work and get fired (employee, analysis)

[captnemo]

What do you think of this ridiciouls situation-- Ask for work and get fired.

I was on this new perm job for 2 months as a grant accountant to do specifically a computer conversion and keep tracks of grants. The the start of the computer conversion is constantly being delayed, and the grants were not comming in due to political issues with nyc HHC. They may never come in.

As a result in the intrim there is almost no work do. I asked my bosses, co-workers for work but was told there was no work right now. As a result all day and almost every day I would be sitting in my chair just starring at a computer screen, drinking coffee, snacking and twiddleing my thumbs and trying to look bussy. I had no internet access. I did take off a few days for interviews.

I was finally let go today with the excuse that this job is not a good match for me and the org. My boss could not explain why and he said I did nothing wrong and but simply it is not a good match and I need a more aggressive job environment. SO IF YOU ASK FOR WORK YOU GET FIRED. They will say I worked temp for them as a reference.

[Radek]

What...s your problem exactly?

Yeah, it sucks... but what it probably means is that they realized that they realized they don't need the position and thus had to fire you.

[FarNorthDallas]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I just confessed to my employer I had no work. It's a pretty risky thing to do. Some people say, Keep quiet, continue to quietly ask around for work, reorganize your already organized desk - just don't draw a lot of attention to yourself. But, I can only sit there so long messing with my iPhone, doing nothing. But it's risky - especially if you're a temp. I took the risk because I'm perm and they paid a recruiter fee for me and I'm thinking they won't get rid of me - yet. You will find folks who tell you announcing you have no work is the kiss of death.

It sounds like they wanted you just to quietly do nothing and keep circling the airport and be happy. The aggressive comment they made just may mean they recognize you need to be busier in your job and are unhappy just sitting there.

[bibit612]

I think the statement "It's not a good match" means there is something wrong, but something they don't care to admit. I was a contract employee for three months and during that time, I was able to complete a conversion in a week's time that they thought would take 3 months. They knew I did not have work, was bored out of my mind, but refused to end the contract. They even apologized to me about the boredom! In the beginning, I felt so bad about staying at my desk not working and getting paid by the hour so I would tell my boss I would go home since it was not fair for them to pay me to do nothing. He so much appreciated the honesty that he told me to just sit put. When my contract was near over, I was asking him whether they were extending, renewing or terminating the contract so that I can ask the recruiter to find me another one. What he did was contact another manager in the company to see if they have a need for my skills. I continued the contract in the new department for a month while they worked out the details for the perm job. I think I just got lucky...I don't have the knowledge base necessary in my current position (an actuarial position); however, I was told that I had other skills that would come in handy later (finance, data analysis, modeling, health care insurance). I know I am doing less than what I can do and should be doing, and they know that the learning curve is steep, and they still keep me. I have never been afraid to at least say that I am not busy. My offers to assist other areas of the department were appreciated and taken up on.

[therewego]

Originally Posted by bibit612

I think the statement "It's not a good match" means there is something wrong, but something they don't care to admit. I was a contract employee for three months and during that time, I was able to complete a conversion in a week's time that they thought would take 3 months. They knew I did not have work, was bored out of my mind, but refused to end the contract. They even apologized to me about the boredom! In the beginning, I felt so bad about staying at my desk not working and getting paid by the hour so I would tell my boss I would go home since it was not fair for them to pay me to do nothing. He so much appreciated the honesty that he told me to just sit put. When my contract was near over, I was asking him whether they were extending, renewing or terminating the contract so that I can ask the recruiter to find me another one. What he did was contact another manager in the company to see if they have a need for my skills. I continued the contract in the new department for a month while they worked out the details for the perm job. I think I just got lucky...I don't have the knowledge base necessary in my current position (an actuarial position); however, I was told that I had other skills that would come in handy later (finance, data analysis, modeling, health care insurance). I know I am doing less than what I can do and should be doing, and they know that the learning curve is steep, and they still keep me. I have never been afraid to at least say that I am not busy. My offers to assist other areas of the department were appreciated and taken up on.

the situation bibit describes also happened to me many years ago when I was temping. Yes, I also agree that they may have had a personality conflict w/you or they did not see a reason to keep you because the "actual" work you were going to do was not going to be ready for quite a while; there are always setbacks when doing "conversions" of any kind.

[gardener34]

With some government agencies, they have to use up the money in the budget they have for that year. If they don't use it and they come up under budget, they will NOT get the entire budget the following year, but the receive "under budget" amount. So there is pressure on to "use up" the budget by making the employees do repetitive seeming meaningless tasks.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by captnemo

What do you think of this ridiciouls situation-- Ask for work and get fired.

I was on this new perm job for 2 months as a grant accountant to do specifically a computer conversion and keep tracks of grants. The the start of the computer conversion is constantly being delayed, and the grants were not comming in due to political issues with nyc HHC. They may never come in.

As a result in the intrim there is almost no work do. I asked my bosses, co-workers for work but was told there was no work right now. As a result all day and almost every day I would be sitting in my chair just starring at a computer screen, drinking coffee, snacking and twiddleing my thumbs and trying to look bussy. I had no internet access. I did take off a few days for interviews.

I was finally let go today with the excuse that this job is not a good match for me and the org. My boss could not explain why and he said I did nothing wrong and but simply it is not a good match and I need a more aggressive job environment. SO IF YOU ASK FOR WORK YOU GET FIRED. They will say I worked temp for them as a reference.

I first want to say that I know it stinks being fired. It does not feel good to anyone at anytime. With that said, now that this chapter has been closed, you now are free and clear to go out and find something that is WORTHY of what you're capable of doing. Wishing you the very, very best!

[therewego]

Originally Posted by Donna7

I first want to say that I know it stinks being fired. It does not feel good to anyone at anytime. With that said, now that this chapter has been closed, you now are free and clear to go out and find something that is WORTHY of what you're capable of doing. Wishing you the very, very best!

Totally agree...move on. Now, you have the time to pursue those other interviews you were going to anyway. Remember, for every door closed, another opens. Good luck!!