Was I wrongfully fired?
I started working as an Office Assistant at a construction company in Phx AZ. I was not trained and was told I was replacing a family member there. So she said it wasn’t easy to train me while she was still there and it was a small office. They seemed like very nice people. I just received an upsetting text message (which she was aware I had to tend to getting my daughter to class and back) So I tossed my phone in my purse and went outside for less than 2min. I came back took my phone out and put my phone back on my desk and continued my day. I have an iPhone 8 and when I left work instead of my music turning on a recording came on it was regarding me ahe was talking to her husband that I seem upset when I do the filing and a conversation I had with her throughout the next hour or so. When I put my phone in my purse I must of pressed the audio recorder without realizing it. The next day I mentioned to her what happened and that I’m not frustrated with her that I liked my job and desperately needed it. I just wanted her to know that due to not being trained I may get quiet since I’m trying to figure out the work she was giving me so I was just concentrating hard. I Noticed in the next hour or two that she wasn’t acting her normal self and asked her what was wrong. After pleading with her she finally said I don’t trust you anymore. I apologized for it happening several times even offered to not have my phone or purse in the office. I told her I felt being honest with her was important to me and didn’t want her to feel I was upset. Yes it was frustrating redoing a lot of the paperwork that wasn’t completed by their family member and I felt not training me wasn’t the best idea but I desperately needed the job so I would what I could. To the point of sweeping and mopping the floors taking out the trash ect. It was pretty much at the end of the day her children and dog were there due to school vacation I was crying and said may I leave now she said yes and I asked if I can come back tomorrow she said yes. I received a text message in the morning that they decided to terminate me. I was about maybe 2 weeks away from my 90days!! I was blown away that she took it that far as well as many other issues in the office I won’t mention. The day before I was praised about my hard work and that I was appreciated for everything I was doing. That they appreciated my suggestions that would help save money ect. Yet they kept the family member that was playing video games and other things that were very inappropriate which is why they hired me to replace. It makes me wonder if they were doing something wrong. Why would I go to her and tell her what happened if I was trying to be malicious towards them!? Please any advice
I think better business bureau will have a field day with there company.
Michelle that is just awful. My heart goes out to you. Prayers and blessings to you!
You should not have told her that you recorded her conversation, unintentional or not. Most people will not be ok especially if it’s their company. Trust gets broken especially a family company. Confronting her was a bad move. You could have just fixed the issues and moved on. Many jobs require people to clean up the last persons mistakes. It’s not uncommon. Do you have much work experience? Might be why you feel so insecure with the work?
Wow. Sorry to hear what you experienced. Chalk it up to experience, and what you learned from what happened, and how you can apply it in the future. You never know what people/employers you've interacted with less than 90 working days will do. Smaller businesses are more prone to "out of the blue terminations," because the manager is likely; family, owner(s), manager, HR, EEO, etc. Your recourse is limited pass what you did to resolve the issue. Move on, continue your job search, it's out there for you. Never, never, never stop going for what you want. Best' F
You were trying to do a professional job in an office environment that did not understand the concept. Plus, anytime you are brought in to replace a family-member, no matter how grievous the situation YOU are going to lose. I think you should report them to Equal Employment. Face it, you were brought in to get a family-member to straighten-up. It is NOT fair that they canned you and kept the miscreant. The question should be asked if they intended your replacement of the family-member to be permanent? Any company that lets dogs and kids have free roaming access to their office is NOT a professional company. My only question is did you inform them that you had to pick up and drop off your child before they hired you? They cannot refuse to hire you on that basis but it is something you need to discuss when you look for your next job, hopefully with a much more professional company. Wishing you the best!
Hi, Michelle Simonson. I think the advice to move on is good advice. The people are not all they are cracked up to be. And besides, you will probably find yourself something better that you will be happier with, too. Without a doubt, I hope the best for you.
Just move on from that job..too much drama no matter how bad you need the job
Does your state have an at will employment we do here which means they don't need a good reason to fire you they just can. Sounds like this employer was very unprofessional with you to get let go in a text sucks that happen to me. I hope things get better
I do have to agree that it sounded like you walked in and created a bit of drama. I don't think it was a wrongful termination. Sounds like wrongful management. An experienced manager might have sat you down, explained the expectations of the job and let you improve or not going forward but you would have clearly understood the ramifications of your actions. Your there to do a job, period. No personal relationship with your management or bringing your emotions or family in during the first 90 days.
They can not fire you thru text messages it has to be in person. I would also go after them for unemployment also.