How You Could Set Yourself Up to be Fired: Tips For Baby Boomers and Seniors

Do you want your employer to fire you? As a baby boomer or senior who has recently found employment, that is likely the last thing that you want to happen. 

Setting yourself up to be fired from your job is not a good thing, unless of course you want to be fired. You should be aware that fired on your employment resume may make it difficult for you to find another job, particularly if you are older, as well.

The article, “10 reasons you can be fired”, suggests  

“Nobody wants to get fired…..there are many things that can get you fired beyond the obvious.”

Consider these reasons why employers fire employees.

Breach of confidentiality:

Employers hire employees with the expectation of loyalty. When an employee breaks an employer’s confidentiality, it is often reason for dismissal.

For example, an employer has a huge contract he is bidding on and an employee inadvertently lets the information out to another employer, with the expectation that the second employer will hire him. It backfires because the second employer says, “You broke your employer’s confidentiality by giving me information, why should I not expect that you would do the same to me?”    

Inappropriate behavior:

Employers have expectations of appropriate, employee behavior and when those expectations are not met, employees can be given a warning once, or even several times prior to a dismissal.

For example, a man is drinking before he comes to work on the night shift. Inappropriate language and behavior reflect his intoxication. The first incident merits a stern warning from his supervisor. The second incidence endangers the lives of other employees. His manager puts him in contact with Alcoholics Anonymous with another warning that unless his behavior changes immediately, he will be let go. He sees the error of his ways and joins AA to save his job.  

Arriving late for work:

When employees do not heed warnings given by their supervisors, they are often subject to reprimands and possible firing. For example, an employee consistently shows up late for work. Given several warnings, he states that he cannot get to work on time because of the bus schedule where he lives. When asked to find other transportation, he appears to be unable to do so and continues to arrive late at work. His supervisor seeks to solve the problem by placing him on another shift that is more compatible with his bus schedule. The only other option is to arrange transportation for him or fire him.

Stealing:

When an employer suspects an employee is stealing, he or she immediately becomes suspect and comes under scrutiny. It may take a while for employers to determine the truth. Employers often place supervisors or other employees in a position to watch a person who is suspect. With smart phones, it is now increasingly easy to identify thieves in the work place.

For example, a young woman steals baby care items from a day care center regularly, because she has an infant at home. Another elderly employee catches her walking out with diapers, diaper rash cream and videotapes her on her smart phone. She shows her the video and warns her not to do it again as she could be reported. Fearful of losing her own job, she also reports the young woman.     

Substance abuse:

Employers are becoming increasingly concerned about substance abuse at the work place, because it presents a serious, health hazard for everyone.

For example, a young man and woman approach an employer and are caught trafficking at their place of employment. Advised to do their business elsewhere, they continue to traffic just outside the cafeteria door, giving away freebies to employees as a form of enticement. “We can keep you happy for ten dollars a day,” suggests the young man, to an older, cafeteria maintenance worker. He feels nauseated from the sickening odor, is shocked at what they are doing and reports them to his employer. It ends in their dismissal.

Bullying:

Bullying is becoming a serous concern for employers in many places of employment. This is often a gender-related issue.

For example, a young man seeking to achieve a promotion bullies an elderly woman into quitting her job. A company security officer has been witnessing the man’s bullying and he is fired. She gets the promotion, plus a bonus.          

The bottom line is that you are a serious employee. You do not want to lose your job and thus, you do not ever set yourself up to be fired.