About to lose the Job!

[CityGal]

So, I am back from vacation and got a formal warning from my boss. I truly believe that this warning is just a mere 2 week notice. I've decided not to really cry so much about it this time and to have a game plan for the dreaded day. I am going to send my resume to employment agencies to see if they can expedite my job search. Also, I will be doing some heavy emailing and resume faxing. I've also decided to apply for pretty much anything that remotely gives me some decent income instead of those career jobs. Any advice on a more concrete game plan? I woke up this morning truly scared. Since I came back from vacation two nights ago, I am a little jetlagged and can barely see. ha. horrible ...this is truly pervently me from being at my full force. Any ideas on how to get another job before the big day? If I by a miracle of god get a new job right away, should I give her the official two week notice or give her the one week notice so that I may somehow recuperate and get prepared for a new job...in other words a week or mourning.

[WorkInProgress]

A warning? A generic warning, or a warning for something specific that you can change?

[CityGal]

She called it a general warning. I promised her I would make improvements which I started as soon as the meeting was over. I know a warning doesn't really gurantee a two week notice, but my coworker who is in another deppartment told me that they are going to give this girl in her department a warning on monday and that they are really just going to fire her in two weeks. She said she doesn't know if it is just department that is doing that or the company, but to just in case start applying for other jobs.

[WorkInProgress]

Well, I'd be looking for something else too--but this is odd behavior coming from an employer.

[allie1105]

What did they say that you did????? That stinks!

[shimma]

Well, I'd be looking for something else too--but this is odd behavior coming from an employer.

not really - in most states by law you have to give someone a warning before you fire them (unless they do something illegal).

[paiger81]

If you are a state employee, you are considered "at will" meaning that at any time they deem they do not want you, you can be fired with no notice.

[WorkInProgress]

If you are a state employee, you are considered "at will" meaning that at any time they deem they do not want you, you can be fired with no notice.
That's how it is for my company, in my state (and the several others that it operates in). It also means that I could quit without notice, if I wanted to.

[CityGal]

The reason my boss claims she gave me the warning is because the Friday before I left for vacation I didn't really inform her of what needed to be done while I was away...she was following up on my work. She said I was being difficult with her and showing that I didn't care by not giving her a note about the things that should be done while I am away. Also, she said I haven't been saving certain files correctly--they were supposed to be filed as the number, county, and state and I was only doing it as number and state. I understand her reasoning for doing this, but in a way I do feel like I am being punished unfairly. I knew well in advance she was going to try something right before I left. She always does.

This totally blows!

[paiger81]

Um..if you are an assistant of some sort, I don't really think your bosses demands were unreasonable......I don't think it is fire worthy, but it is a legitamate 'verbal warning' issue.

[CityGal]

I'm not saying that they weren't unreasonable and I completely understand the need to give a warning. I'm just pretty much venting and needing advice as to how to get a job quickly before the actual day of execution.

[paiger81]

Well, it's entirely possible you are worrying for nothing.

However, you are also talking to a chick that has heard rumors her entire department will be outsourced in the next few months.

So, all I can say is to continue put feelers out, and do what you are doing, you can't guarantee landing a job in 2 weeks, you can only do what you can.

[eko311]

Start talking to EVERYONE that you know that you're looking - except for people at work of course! But broadcast that you're looking for a new opportunity to anyone - friends, your dentist, whoever you run into or see. And when they ask why just say that you're looking for a new opportunity to further develop some the skills that you currently have as well as gain more experience. That's all that anyone wants to hear - generic stuff. The more that you talk to people, the more that you have a chance of "well I have this friend," or "I know this guy..." that's how I've gotten my past two jobs.

Good luck! Mayhaps you will not need new employment in just two weeks and this job search may uncover a great new opportunity!

[CityGal]

Thanks for the advice. I have broadcasted it to a few close friends and some are giving me leads and giving me their temp agencies just in case. I will definitly try your advice though. THANKS!

[wordsmith]

If you really have to worry about getting fired for not leaving a note and for labeling files differently, you might consider looking for other employment anyway, because that kind of atmosphere sucks, where your very job hinges on that one instance.