Lost my job =(

[Prince2klbAzn]

Well the last time I posted was because I was looking for places to live that were a bit cheaper... and I'll have to speed up that apartment search because I was just fired on Friday.

3 of the 9 new analysts (including myself) were let go for 'performance and disciplinary' issues... which is utter BS. They've been laying off people left and right start with the support groups, then some middle management. I didn't think that they would fire any of us since we're so cheap to keep on compared to any higher-up.

What I don't understand is why they didn't just let us go and tell us the truth, that they are cost cutting. Instead, they gave us reasons like 'unprofessional attitude/demeanor when dealing with coworkers/managers' or 'failure to add value'. They also lectured us on our lack of 'dedication and responsibility' to the company when referring to how many days we took off! Ok, so I took off 5 days in 5 months. 4 of those days were at Christmas and the other one was the day after Thanksgiving! Then they listed off individual times when we went home early (at 6pm instead of 8-10pm) and said that we should have put more effort in jobs given the hardship that the division was going through. :|

What really sucks is that they accused of us not 'adding value'. I mean wtf, we were doing exactly what we were told. Yes, a lot of what I do is just being an excel monkey and other BS work. But that is what every damn analyst out there has to do at one point or another. Plus, I was placed in this position... I didn't have a choice to work in a 'revenue-building' group. Those groups need people to develop the products and provide support when they are selling it. Every bit of revenue that a client adviser brings in is because my group is busting their a$$ making sure that can happen.

This just sucks. Less than a year our of college and I've already lost my first job. What the hell could I have done differently?

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Poop in the sink on your way out.

Sorry about what happened.

 

[RichardE]

Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

 

[SunnyD]

Dedication to work != how many vacation days you took, it's how many days you called in sick, how many days you strolled into work 20 minutes late, how many days you decided to cut out a few minutes early, how many days your lunch took 1 hours and 15 minutes, or how many days you decided to go to work and not actually do your work. Trust me, there's a lot more to "unprofessional attitude/demeanor" & "dedication and responsibility" than you think.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: RichardE
Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

Listen up jerk. Companies give vacation days for a reason... to be used.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Dedication to work != how many vacation days you took, it's how many days you called in sick, how many days you strolled into work 20 minutes late, how many days you decided to cut out a few minutes early, how many days your lunch took 1 hours and 15 minutes, or how many days you decided to go to work and not actually do your work. Trust me, there's a lot more to "unprofessional attitude/demeanor" & "dedication and responsibility" than you think.

:thumbsup: We have a point system at work. You come in 15 minutes late, you get a point. You call in sick but don't have a doctor's note, you get a point. You get 8 points, and you get escorted off the premises.

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: RichardE
Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

Listen up jerk. Companies give vacation days for a reason... to be used.

It's not wise to take a vacation when your department is going through rough times. You know, unless you want to be canned.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Dedication to work != how many vacation days you took, it's how many days you called in sick, how many days you strolled into work 20 minutes late, how many days you decided to cut out a few minutes early, how many days your lunch took 1 hours and 15 minutes, or how many days you decided to go to work and not actually do your work. Trust me, there's a lot more to "unprofessional attitude/demeanor" & "dedication and responsibility" than you think.

:thumbsup: We have a point system at work. You come in 15 minutes late, you get a point. You call in sick but don't have a doctor's note, you get a point. You get 8 points, and you get escorted off the premises.

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: RichardE
Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

Listen up jerk. Companies give vacation days for a reason... to be used.

It's not wise to take a vacation when your department is going through rough times. You know, unless you want to be canned.

You have to get a Doctor's note EVERY TIME you call in? What kind've cockadooey bullshit is that?

 

[Prince2klbAzn]

There's a lot of unwritten rules I guess. I think unprofessionalism was more directed at a kid who worked support for the traders. They curse all day and are pretty rowdy and I think he had the 'when in rome' mentality. As for me, I've come in without a tie only once.

 

[vital]

Point tracking systems suck. I work in a professional environment and the managers never eye you when you come in and leave. You're responsible for recording all hours worked. You can take lunches as long as you want as long as you make it up on your own time. That being said, no one in my department ever abuses any of the lenient rules. Everyone is really professional and still put in 45-50 hour weeks because it's known that as a professional it's expected that you work overtime. From all the places I've worked, I've noticed that the more relaxed the rules are, the more professional the employees are. The only time I had a point system where I get written up for being a minute late was when I had a part time job as a college student working hourly.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Dedication to work != how many vacation days you took, it's how many days you called in sick, how many days you strolled into work 20 minutes late, how many days you decided to cut out a few minutes early, how many days your lunch took 1 hours and 15 minutes, or how many days you decided to go to work and not actually do your work. Trust me, there's a lot more to "unprofessional attitude/demeanor" & "dedication and responsibility" than you think.

:thumbsup: We have a point system at work. You come in 15 minutes late, you get a point. You call in sick but don't have a doctor's note, you get a point. You get 8 points, and you get escorted off the premises.

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: RichardE
Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

Listen up jerk. Companies give vacation days for a reason... to be used.

It's not wise to take a vacation when your department is going through rough times. You know, unless you want to be canned.

You have to get a Doctor's note EVERY TIME you call in? What kind've cockadooey bullshit is that?

The kind that prevents our employees from calling out because they don't feel like working. If you are too sick to work, you need to go see a doctor. We also accept a doctor's note for an employee's child, if an employee has to stay home to care for him/her.

We also do a 10-panel drug screen pre-employment with random drug testing weekly. You have a problem with that too?

We take good care of our employees, so we expect them to work hard for us.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Dedication to work != how many vacation days you took, it's how many days you called in sick, how many days you strolled into work 20 minutes late, how many days you decided to cut out a few minutes early, how many days your lunch took 1 hours and 15 minutes, or how many days you decided to go to work and not actually do your work. Trust me, there's a lot more to "unprofessional attitude/demeanor" & "dedication and responsibility" than you think.

:thumbsup: We have a point system at work. You come in 15 minutes late, you get a point. You call in sick but don't have a doctor's note, you get a point. You get 8 points, and you get escorted off the premises.

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: RichardE
Your own fault. If you followed procedures to the letter they would have no reason to let you go for unprofesionalism. Most people know this. If they can't fire you for what they want, they'll fire you for something else. Or if they can save on severance, they'll find something else.

Listen up jerk. Companies give vacation days for a reason... to be used.

It's not wise to take a vacation when your department is going through rough times. You know, unless you want to be canned.

You have to get a Doctor's note EVERY TIME you call in? What kind've cockadooey bullshit is that?

The kind that prevents our employees from calling out because they don't feel like working. If you are too sick to work, you need to go see a doctor. We also accept a doctor's note for an employee's child, if an employee has to stay home to care for him/her.

We also do a 10-panel drug screen pre-employment with random drug testing weekly. You have a problem with that too?

We take good care of our employees, so we expect them to work hard for us.

I don't know what line of work you're in, so I can't speak towards the drug testing, but expecting someone to see a doctor anytime they don't feel well is retarded. Doesn't your company give an allotment of sick days?

 

[Prince2klbAzn]

I'm never late since I have to be the first once in the office. I have to write a market summary and recap the daily performances of like 300 of our structured products each morning and have it sent out to all the client advisers by 8am. My boss doesn't get in 'till 7:30 at the earliest and I'm usually there at 6am. As for taking long lunches or leaving early, I was part of a special program instead of a regular hire. The 9 analysts that were with me had all sorts of mandatory networking events, luncheons, learning seminars etc. We were away from the desk a fair amount but it was all for events that we were instructed to attend.

As for taking vacation... my direct manager actually told me to use up vacation before the year's end since they don't roll over. As part of our program though, during the first year we have a direct manager and a 'program manager'. I guess they had very different opinions on vacation time. Also, my division is actually doing really well. The company as a whole is down the $hitter. A company-wide cost cutting initiative however, hit us all the same.

 

[SampSon]

Congratulations on losing your first job! That's basically a right of passage for entering the working world.
Expect much of the same types of experinces in the future.

You knew they were heavily laying people off, so being put on the chopping block should have been on your mind.
They were obviously looking for any reasons to substantiate thinning out your department, and they found them.

File for unemployment, update your resume and get back out there. It happens to everyone.

 

[Prince2klbAzn]

I've taken 1 half-day to see a doctor but I had a note. As for drug testing, it's pretty standard in the financial services industry to test at least once a year. Weekly is kinda absurd... but I don't know what industry you're in. It would make sense if you work for the Gov.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: vital
Point tracking systems suck. I work in a professional environment and the managers never eye you when you come in and leave. You're responsible for recording all hours worked. You can take lunches as long as you want as long as you make it up on your own time. That being said, no one in my department ever abuses any of the lenient rules. Everyone is really professional and still put in 45-50 hour weeks because it's known that as a professional it's expected that you work overtime. From all the places I've worked, I've noticed that the more relaxed the rules are, the more professional the employees are. The only time I had a point system where I get written up for being a minute late was when I had a part time job as a college student working hourly.

They are quite effective when you utilize lean manufacturing. We're not asses about it, and will accept a good excuse. It is something that is necessary in our work environment, however.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
I don't know what line of work you're in, so I can't speak towards the drug testing, but expecting someone to see a doctor anytime they don't feel well is retarded. Doesn't your company give an allotment of sick days?

I work for Yamaha Motors. Yes, they have alloted sick days, but for them to be construed as sick days, a doctor's note is needed.

 

[Prince2klbAzn]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Congratulations on losing your first job! That's basically a right of passage for entering the working world.
Expect much of the same types of experinces in the future.

You knew they were heavily laying people off, so being put on the chopping block should have been on your mind.
They were obviously looking for any reasons to substantiate thinning out your department, and they found them.

File for unemployment, update your resume and get back out there. It happens to everyone.

I was told I couldn't file for unemployment benefits in NY since it only applies to people being 'laid-off' and not fired. They fired 3 of us.

I still find it really bs... I pulled 70 hour weeks for 5-6 months doing every bit of work they could rustle up for me. ><

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: Prince2klbAzn
I'm never late since I have to be the first once in the office. I have to write a market summary and recap the daily performances of like 300 of our structured products each morning and have it sent out to all the client advisers by 8am. My boss doesn't get in 'till 7:30 at the earliest and I'm usually there at 6am. As for taking long lunches or leaving early, I was part of a special program instead of a regular hire. The 9 analysts that were with me had all sorts of mandatory networking events, luncheons, learning seminars etc. We were away from the desk a fair amount but it was all for events that we were instructed to attend.

As for taking vacation... my direct manager actually told me to use up vacation before the year's end since they don't roll over. As part of our program though, during the first year we have a direct manager and a 'program manager'. I guess they had very different opinions on vacation time. Also, my division is actually doing really well. The company as a whole is down the $hitter. A company-wide cost cutting initiative however, hit us all the same.

I know it sucks, but I'm sure there was some reason that they decided to fire you and the other 2 guys, instead of any of the remaining 6, regardless of whether it was actually fair or warranted

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
:thumbsup: We have a point system at work. You come in 15 minutes late, you get a point. You call in sick but don't have a doctor's note, you get a point. You get 8 points, and you get escorted off the premises.

It's not wise to take a vacation when your department is going through rough times. You know, unless you want to be canned.

You work for a pretty ridiculous place. We get treated very well at my work. If you come in late, no one cares. Go home early, sure. Don't want to come in, just email the boss.

As long as we get 40 hours in between Monday and Sunday.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: vital
Point tracking systems suck. I work in a professional environment and the managers never eye you when you come in and leave. You're responsible for recording all hours worked. You can take lunches as long as you want as long as you make it up on your own time. That being said, no one in my department ever abuses any of the lenient rules. Everyone is really professional and still put in 45-50 hour weeks because it's known that as a professional it's expected that you work overtime. From all the places I've worked, I've noticed that the more relaxed the rules are, the more professional the employees are. The only time I had a point system where I get written up for being a minute late was when I had a part time job as a college student working hourly.

They are quite effective when you utilize lean manufacturing. We're not asses about it, and will accept a good excuse. It is something that is necessary in our work environment, however.

Wow. And I'm annoyed that I don't get massages or haircuts on-site like googlers do.

Originally posted by: Prince2klbAzn
I'm never late since I have to be the first once in the office. I have to write a market summary and recap the daily performances of like 300 of our structured products each morning and have it sent out to all the client advisers by 8am. My boss doesn't get in 'till 7:30 at the earliest and I'm usually there at 6am. As for taking long lunches or leaving early, I was part of a special program instead of a regular hire. The 9 analysts that were with me had all sorts of mandatory networking events, luncheons, learning seminars etc. We were away from the desk a fair amount but it was all for events that we were instructed to attend.

As for taking vacation... my direct manager actually told me to use up vacation before the year's end since they don't roll over. As part of our program though, during the first year we have a direct manager and a 'program manager'. I guess they had very different opinions on vacation time. Also, my division is actually doing really well. The company as a whole is down the $hitter. A company-wide cost cutting initiative however, hit us all the same.

Can you elaborate a bit more on what city you work in, and what field?

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
You have to get a Doctor's note EVERY TIME you call in? What kind've cockadooey bullshit is that?

Indeed. We get unlimited sick days, and I've never been asked for a note.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
The kind that prevents our employees from calling out because they don't feel like working. If you are too sick to work, you need to go see a doctor. We also accept a doctor's note for an employee's child, if an employee has to stay home to care for him/her.

We also do a 10-panel drug screen pre-employment with random drug testing weekly. You have a problem with that too?

We take good care of our employees, so we expect them to work hard for us.

A note everytime you are sick is ridiculous. Maybe someone just has a sore throat or was nauseas when they woke up. No need for a doctor, just rest a day or tow, and go back to work.

 

[Prince2klbAzn]

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: Prince2klbAzn
I'm never late since I have to be the first once in the office. I have to write a market summary and recap the daily performances of like 300 of our structured products each morning and have it sent out to all the client advisers by 8am. My boss doesn't get in 'till 7:30 at the earliest and I'm usually there at 6am. As for taking long lunches or leaving early, I was part of a special program instead of a regular hire. The 9 analysts that were with me had all sorts of mandatory networking events, luncheons, learning seminars etc. We were away from the desk a fair amount but it was all for events that we were instructed to attend.

As for taking vacation... my direct manager actually told me to use up vacation before the year's end since they don't roll over. As part of our program though, during the first year we have a direct manager and a 'program manager'. I guess they had very different opinions on vacation time. Also, my division is actually doing really well. The company as a whole is down the $hitter. A company-wide cost cutting initiative however, hit us all the same.

I know it sucks, but I'm sure there was some reason that they decided to fire you and the other 2 guys, instead of any of the remaining 6, regardless of whether it was actually fair or warranted

I'm thinking it had to do with which group you were in. The 6 remaining people are working as sales assistants, trading assistants, on teams with a client adviser or a private wealth manager. The 3 of us were in sales & management, structured products and integrated strategies. Our groups are technically support while the other 6 people worked in positions that directly brought in revenue. What sucks is that one of the projects I worked on was how much capital had to be freed up to hire more client advisers. Our division's CEO set a really high revenue target and the only way we were going to hit it was to hire a few more CA/RM's. =(

 

[slayer202]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
You have to get a Doctor's note EVERY TIME you call in? What kind've cockadooey bullshit is that?

Indeed. We get unlimited sick days, and I've never been asked for a note.

Like the guy said, it really depends on what field you're in. If you are somewhere that every second counts, I can see rules like that being somewhat reasonable. In most other fields though, the more relaxed environment is probably more beneficial, but it all depends on the situation

Originally posted by: Prince2klbAzn
I'm thinking it had to do with which group you were in.

yeah, most likely

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: Prince2klbAzn

Originally posted by: SampSon
Congratulations on losing your first job! That's basically a right of passage for entering the working world.
Expect much of the same types of experinces in the future.

You knew they were heavily laying people off, so being put on the chopping block should have been on your mind.
They were obviously looking for any reasons to substantiate thinning out your department, and they found them.

File for unemployment, update your resume and get back out there. It happens to everyone.

I was told I couldn't file for unemployment benefits in NY since it only applies to people being 'laid-off' and not fired. They fired 3 of us.

I still find it really bs... I pulled 70 hour weeks for 5-6 months doing every bit of work they could rustle up for me. ><

Who told you that you can't file for UI? Whoever told you that was lieing to you. If it was your former employer who told you that then it was DEFINITELY a lit. When you lose a job you always file for UI. It is then up to the state and your former employer to duke it out. It will cost your employer substantially more to dispute your claim than to just pay it for 6 months.

I was officially 'laid off' from a job, along with 300 others, everyone who filed for UI received it. I was laid off from another job, with 2 others, and all three of us filed for UI and received it.

You lost your job, you immediately file for UI in New York. The claim line is available 24/7 on the phone. I suggest you do yourself a favor and file.