Almost Got Fired?

I would want examples of the mistakes, and I'd also want to know every single time I was making them, so I could know where my issues were & work on them. I don't think it's fair to threaten someone's job when you've barely given them a chance to rectify the problem.

I know how that feels, try to look at it like they care about keeping you to give you a chance to improve. After all we all say we like honesty, right?! Take it in, sleep on it, and approach work in a new way. Remember that nobody is perfect, and we ALL need improvememtn1

This sounds so typical of many companies. Instead of correcting your mistakes when they happen they let it build up and then blame you for doing it wrong. Sounds to me like they need to upgrade their training methods. If you are making mistakes because you were never shown how to something properly, it's their fault not yours.

I'd be sending out resumes.

Ouch, that stung. Take a minute to lick your wounds, have a cocktail, complain to best friend and supportive husband. Then shake it off. Go back with a new attitude and a renewed zest for your job. Did they give you specific things you are doing wrong? Did they give you specifics to work on? If not, go back to your supervisr, thank them for the opportunity to turn it around and ask. Tell them you take a lot of pride in your job and want to correct whatever you can. Work on those things diligently. Ask your sup for regular feedback. Do what you are asked for a week and then go back and ask, have you noticed an improvement in my work product? Are ther any other suggestions you can make? And listen to the constructive criticism, rather than justifying your behavior in your head. It's easy to think ..but, but, but I ... and it shows on your face when you are mentally defending yourself. Just be open to it. We all have areas we could improve upon.

Well, tonight, review in your head where you think things aren't 'clicking'. Send your bosses an email tomorrow and let them know that you think the problem is 'x, y, and z', and ask for their support and encouragement to come up with a plan that will successfully aid you in going above and beyond their expectations. They'll really appreciate that you took your self time to think about it and approach them instead of hiding behind your desk, frantic to do your job right. If you're uncertain about something, ask! It will only make you better at your job and show the bosses that you're taking initiative :)

ask them to show you your mistakes so you can learn from them. I do that at work and it helps me to see what I am going that is not correct. Also it shows your boss that you truly want to go it right the first time

One thing I did when i worked corporate and I still to this day do is keep a notebook which is a CYA book.

I jot down things I am asked and by whom and my answer, etc. Then if anything is questioned, I have my notebooks to follow up with and state why I did what I did and when.

I find this not very time consuming, very helpful and most especially since I am co owner of the company with hubby, sometimes he forgets he told me to do something a certain way, I do it then if he questions me, I have my back up.

If I were you, I would have a notebook detailing what you are doing, for whom and why. After you recover from the review you just got, go in with a can do attitude, make every effort to to what they are asking and how.

I also would not wait for them to come to me.... I would go to the boss in a week or so and ask if they see the improvements you are trying to make. Be proactive.

Good luck

I can truly understand how you feel, but you must be doing some things right or they would have fired you. When you go to your meeting on Friday, go with a note pad and take notes. I know that when I'm training someone and they don't have a note pad, it doesn't sit well with me. If you're learning, you need to take notes so you can refer back and hopefully not make the same mistakes. Be sure to ask as many questions as necessary to have a full understanding of what you should be doing as opposed to what you have been doing. Also, be sure to thank your supervisors for a second chance and let them know that this job is important to you and you want to do the best job possible for them. When I feel like I haven't done a good job during the day, I take comfort in knowing that tomorrow is a new day and I can start out new and do things better. Just review your day in your head, figure out what you could have done better and then resolve that tomorrow you will do it better. ONce you make that resolve, you'll sleep much easier!

I think meeting with them and understanding the mistakes is your best option. I would also sit down again in 30 days to make sure you are improving and not making mistakes...Also, keep track of the things you do well and are told do well. It doesn't hurt to make sure you stay on top of that. We all go through this in some form or another at work. It's good that you know now and have the opportunity to fix it.

J. --

I'm sorry -- how embarrassing!

There are some great pieces of advice here but I just wanted to add one comment:

You rock!!!!

What I took from your post is that you really, really care about the job you do and about how you're viewed. So many people have a really poor work ethic and a sense of entitlement, as if they should be allowed to sork any way they want. Good for you for listening to what they had to say, owning any errors you've made (even if they may be errors about not understanding the importance or value of certain simple" tasks) and wanting to improve.

It sounds like you've got terrific potential to be one awesome employee. i'm glad your bosses see the potential you have and are willing to work with you on an improvement plan.

You go, girl! Listen, straighten up what sounds like a couple of areas that I'm sure you can manage, and keep going forward! You'll be fine!

Check once, twice and triple it. When I worked, first thing in the morning I made a list of all the stuff that needed go get done and checked it off as I went. Im so forgetful I had to! People make mistakes just take this as a wake up call and triple check yourself. I was told that too and when I left to have my baby and didn't return they begged me to come back! Buh-bye! !!!

I know you are feeling embarrassed, but you aren't stupid.
I think it's a positive thing that they are going to go over things with you. Like you said, it came as a total shock to you that you are making mistakes. It sounds like you just need to have them go through procedures with you. It's the only way you're going to figure out what steps you are missing, etc. At my office, we have standard operating procedures for every thing that needs to be done and how the steps are taken and in what order. They are kept in a manual. There is a copy at every desk. As things are changed or improved, the procedures are updated and all employees are made aware of the changes.
It may be that you just need to slow down and double check your work.
It may seem like a small thing, but mislabeling folders or filing things in the wrong folders makes a problem for other people who have to locate those things.
It doesn't sound like they are ready to can you all together just yet because they do find things about your job performance to praise you for.
Try to keep a positive and upbeat attitude about the opportunity to find out where you're going wrong.

We have an employee who is going to be gone if she doesn't shape up. I like her as a person, but it's more work for everyone having her there.
She creates more work for every person who has to figure out what she did, undo it and redo it correctly on top of doing their own job. That's not even really the biggest problem with her.
If anyone dares say anything or tries to show her the right way to do something, she cops a complete attitude. One day she took a phone message and didn't get the person's last name, why they were calling, or a phone number to call them back. The person the message was for told her it was really important to get some basic information because she had no idea who that person was. My coworker's response? "How was I supposed to know you don't know who they are?"
She was so offended by someone saying something to her that she literally clocked out and left. She didn't say a word to anybody. She was just gone. We didn't know if she was sick, if she quit. And no one could get in touch with her. If I had been the boss, she would have been fired on the spot for that. Her last check would have been waiting for her.
She said the other coworker hurt her feelings. She was spared, but she's on thin ice because she's still making mistakes and doesn't want anyone saying anything to her.
Her attitude will be her downfall.
Everyone makes mistakes, don't make the mistake of having a bad attitude or getting all gloomy and feeling put down because your employer is willing to go over things with you.
Be glad they were honest with you instead of just letting you go.
If they don't have procedures written down, take notes for yourself.
Most employers have regular employee evaluations and that's just part of having a job.
I think you should relax for tonight. Shake it off. Be your same hardworking self when you go back to work and be open to ways you can minimize making mistakes.
I know you're feeling a little blindsided right now, but this could turn out to be a very positive thing.

I wish you the very best!

OMG! You are ME, two months ago and I know exactly how you feel.

Instead of telling me during our weekly brainstorming sessions, my supervisor waited until my three month review to open the floodgates.

I took responsibility for the errors but deep down I saw the writing on the wall.

Like you, I'd rather have been told all along if my errors were that blaring and knew they were building a case against me.

That was two months ago and the hoops i had to jump through made the circus look like child's play.

I still feel icky having been let go and all but am very relieved. The job consumed me to the point of having major depression and inability to enjoy anything.

I don't know your situation: Is this a fairly new job? Do you like your job?

My job was new and I wasn't crazy about it. I also knew that I did not have a flying chance with my incommunicative supervisor.

Can you respond to your meeting in writing and CC HR? It didn't make a difference in my case but it made me feel proactive.

Good luck.

If it doesn't work out then you deserve better.

J.:

I'm sorry - I have been there...this is what I did to improve myself:

Make a list of everything that you have to do at work.
Put a check box next to it so that you can check it off and know that it was done.
Write a journal of what you did during the day so you can reference it again...double checking your work...using spell check if you have to type up the labels.

Look at the things the boss told you you did poorly at and think back to what else you were doing or what you had going on at that time - maybe you aren't good at multi-tasking and need to have a silent room/office or maybe you need background noise (radio) to help do your job better.

It's called attention to detail. Don't rush to get the job done...my boss who called me on it told me "I'd rather have it take a while and done right, than get it back quickly and be wrong.." so take the time to double and triple check your work and make sure it's right....

Don't feel stupid. Make notes. Make lists...you CAN improve yourself...don't get hung up on the bad - instead IMPROVE upon it...YOU CAN DO IT!!

Do you agree with them? Could this be a ploy to have you take the blame and have a reason to lay you off? Did you get any kind of training or were you just supposed to "divine" how they want things done? Don't be a doormat, bite back, and keep track of what you do all day for a week. I occasionally print a chart of a workday in 15 minute increments and pencil in what I did the last 15 minutes based on my phone timer. It will surprise you where you time actually goes versus where you think it goes. However, if you are a chatty-kathy and do careless work then perhaps the accusations are justified.

Get off mamapedia and focus on your job lol! You are lucky you got a warning not a pink slip. It's so hard to find a job these days, you need to prove yourself so don't have anyone catch you doing personal things on the company time. Lots of luck and success!!!!

Sorry your having a hard day. But I guess you take what you can from it, thank your lucky stars you DIDNT get fired, and take it as constructive criticism to work harder at changing things for the good.

Things will get better, just take it all with stride and move on. Tomorrow is always a new day!