Why does it had to end this way?

@gaiza12 (4884)
Philippines
May 9, 2012 4:16am CST
I hate the mood in our office today. The secretary of our boss has just been fired because we are not gaining much profit lately. I hate the feeling of seeing someone leave you when you are already too close to that person. She was really friendly to all and was a very nice person. She said goodbye to us with a smile even if it was very painful on her part. And hearing that both she and her husband got fired on the same week is really sad. What will happen to their baby who will be starting to go to school this June? How will they be able to pay the new house that they have loaned? It's just so sad and now our boss is telling us not to worry. Yes, he doesn't want us to worry. Why not when we have so many things to worry!? Where will we go if we will be the next one to get fired. We all know how hard it is to look for a job these days. One of my colleague got fired last week as well. She was new here but was really doing an amazing job, better than the other newly hired people here. If they were really cost cutting, they should have fired those that really don't have any use in this company. There are still some people here who I consider as not really of use to the company, why not fire them? There's this one colleague of mine who after 5 months or so still doesn't know our procedure and always go to work late or has so many reasons to be abesent. My officemates might be able to read this, but I don't really care. I just don't see any justice here.
2 people like this
11 responses
@audrey92 (20)
• United States
9 May 12
I don't like that kind of environment either. I think when someone gets fired or laid off everyone gets put in a bad mood because they are worrying about if they are next. If that person is getting fired then we are too. That usually only happens when more than one person is getting fired. I would not worry or get upset, everything will go back to normal soon.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
I am hoping it gets back to normal soon. But it really scares us all. Our boss is telling us not to worry, but you just can't take that from us because of what is happening. We really can't be sure if we're gonna be next or not. I hope no else will be laid off after this.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
9 May 12
It is sad but companies cannot really avoid downsizing due to the problems of the economy. However, do not worry so much because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't lose hope since there is always another job opportunity available which might even be better than the one in your office. In my years of experience, I have gone through 2 downsizing where more than a half of the employees were given their walking papers. Majority of the employees were able to find better jobs with good benefits. It can be hard losing a colleague due to economic problems but that is the trend right now not unless there is an improvement in the economy.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
9 May 12
Yes, you are right. But, I just don't get why they have to let go of those employees who are doing good with their jobs. Why not fire those that are only sitting pretty and does nothing at work but sleep?
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
9 May 12
In resizing or what we also refer to as retrenchment, companies follow the role of "last in first out" or redundancy of the job being performed. It is not based on performance or absenteeism but on the length of time that you have worked for the company. That is the legal procedure. Even if the company recognizes the good work that your friend has been doing they still have to abide with the laws. Just pray for her that she finds a better job.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
I understand the "last in first out" thingy but the other employee who is always sitting pretty is not yet a regular here, so I really am sure she should have been the one who has to be fired for not contributing much to the company.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
10 May 12
"Yes, he doesn't want us to worry." Of course every boss doesn't want his employees to worry after he fired one among them, it is always easier say than done when you are making big salary, in a high and secure position in today corpration, every corporate boss will repeat the same thing whenever he try to assure the employees to continue work hard and slave themselves out for his company, nothing to worry about even though economy is bad or employees continue to face lay off. It is a catch phrase for many bosses nowadays.
1 person likes this
@lampar (7584)
• United States
11 May 12
Whenever a company doesn't make high profit or running in big losses, it is not always the fault of empoyees, there are other factors at play here. It can be caused by fierce competition in the market place, or due to a tanking economy in motion or even bad politically directed national policy. When all these happened, employees are in no position to change the outcome on the profitability of their company and the bottom line in the company's book by all means. I assume laying off good employee is a bad decision during bad economy time, but think from the positive side, your boss will have hard time finding good employee later if the economy back to growth again, the one that is let go may have gone forever since then, then may be you can laugh at his face and wish him go for bankrupcy court sooner than later, don't get sad over your friend's employment termination, but make sure you get even when the opportunity arise later.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
Exactly! Well, I guess we all know that our company is not doing good now and no matter how hard we do with our work, we can't always do something to profit good when we are not receiving too many clients. Hopefully the economy will be back up so more clients will be coming and more profit for that.
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
10 May 12
I feel so sorry for her. This is really something you can not be prepared for, and sometimes experience doesn't matter at all. I wonder how they decide whom to fire, but I guess it's better not to know. I have been fired too once when I was one of the most hard working people, and it happens to many unfortunately. It's just too inhuman that employers don't watch who needs to keep a job the most. Hopefully you and those who are still there are safe, and I hope she and her husband will find another job soon.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
She is tough, I know she can hold on to everything that's happening to her and her husband. We are hoping too that we will not be laid off like the others. Even if we know were are more competent than the others, we really just can't help but worry because we know nothing is stable yet.
• Philippines
10 May 12
I felt bad for her. I've been there. When both me and my partner don't have work although hers is much harder coz she loaned a house and they have a kid who's about to go to school this opening. My heart felt heavy when she embraced me and said her last goodbye. I hope they will get through this. I learned that our other colleague got fired a day before her birthday. What a present! Do they really have to do this? No warning at all?
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
Exactly, I thought there was an agreement on this that they have to inform their employee a few days before they lay them off so that person could find another job asap. But, then employers always have the right to fire people right then and there. I just don't get it why them and not those least competent ones were fired . Let's just all hope for the best of all.
• United States
10 May 12
aww, i am so sorry to hear that, its an awful way for thing to end up. Hopefully now they will have better opportunity's they say everything happens for a reason.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
That's the saying on my shirt yesterday, what a coincidence . Well yes, everything really happens for a reason. Hopefully that reason is good for everybody.
• United States
10 May 12
yeah haha, i hope so too
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
9 May 12
hi gaiza oh this horrid economy here in s o uthern'California its still bad but a few jobs are opening up but still a lot of companies here have downsized too.It seems like it cannot be helped but I as a retiree do feel sorry for those being dumped back on the unemployment line. I too think companies should fire the deadwood first as there are always some whom barely make it bu t are kept on for God knows why. I am hoping perhaps Obamas might do something positive to bring mor jobs at least to C alifornia for a change.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
Sad fact that our economy is really not doing well, even here in our country. Let's just hope everything will be back up and that we will no longer be feeling this crisis soon.
• Philippines
9 May 12
Hello gaiza, it's WORK POLITICS i think. probably they don't want to keep the well experience ones because they might for highest compensation and retirement benefits. unlike in my case, they didn't really keep the best ones, but those who were loyal to them. hard to believe people with experience will end up like this. it's their loss because those experience ones might end up getting a better job in the future.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
Exactly, and I am really hoping those competent people who got fired will really find a more better job. It's a really sad reality but we have to move on with our lives and just pray for their best..sigh*
• Portugal
9 May 12
im sorry for it gaiza poor girl. she has a kid and she and her husband lost their jobs. that must be really a despair. i understand bcs my country is also in a big crisis and to find a job is so so hard. people young like me cant find a job unless you know someone that helps you. if you go to interviews they will just say we will call later but then they wont. its so many people looking for only one job that for sure its hard. i wish that she finds a new job soon^^ about what you say of some colleagues dont do their job right. i think that happens in all companies. but if your boss likes you a lot even if your work sucks they wont fire you. its unfair but sometimes people use preferences instead of being fair.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
Yes, maybe my boss really likes that lazy colleague of mine. But, still I don't agree with him firing someone who is competent with her job. I do hope so those fired will find a job soon. Thanks for sharing
• Philippines
9 May 12
its really sad sharing, yes it is a reality that in line of work, we don't know up until when we in good hands,even regular employees got fired also. for me it is not a problem, because we have all the resources to make money not to depend on our daily jobs, because being hired employee to tell you did not earn much money, your salary just to pay all your monthly bills, its good if you have extra income,have an extra tire for your self and for your family, don't depend on being employed.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
I agree, but unfortunately, I am not just a business minded person. I do have a very small business with a very small income but it is still not enough for me to stand on my own if ever I get fired, hopefully not though .
@Nikhabele (166)
• South Africa
9 May 12
Shame, this is such a sad story about your colleague. The nice people always get hurt the most, the wicked remain and they continue being wicked. I hope her and he husband get on well.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
10 May 12
The nice people always get hurt the most, the wicked remain and they continue being wicked. So true! Well I guess being wicked always win when it comes to this field huh? They should have stepped down so the good will remain since they know they are not competent with their jobs