Fired for Things I couldn't control

[burpatricia]

Hi Everyone, I know I just posted about the International Travel;and I want to thank you for the feed back. I shall use it to improve my next go aroundin the travel world. Well, less than two months ago I was hired as the Executive Assistant for the CEO of a large engineering company. Let me first say the CEO just moved to the USA from India and previously the woman doing my job is in India and the Executive Assistant for the President - they both are the co-founders. Now, according to the "plan" my first six weeks which consisted of the boss being away and me not having anyone to train me other than a woman 10 and half hours ahead of me. I was working 4 AM - 10 PM each day seven days aweek and for $30K. (Executive / Personal Assistant). He said to me that over the six weeks when returned that come the first of the year we would start my plans and that by March 1st I would take over complete for the woman in India doing what she did for him as well as all the Admin support / HR Support / and Office Manager for the Vice President in the US.  This last trip to the UK which I partial planned ran into some problems. Some was my fault and other was literally out of my control as I did not have all the information and I asked him for it, the woman in India, and emailed all parties I could for assistance. No luck. Then his he was arressted in another country his Visa had expired. I researched everything he ever gave me and I had no involvment in his Visa the woman in India did. I ran errands for him and his family. I worked almost around the clock. Yesterday upon his return he looked at me and told me that there was no point in moving forward that out of a scale of 1 - 10 coming to speed I was at a 2. I proved my work even with the errors that were and were not my fault in the  last trip. He then looked at me and said the US office budget would not support my addition. The Vice President said there is nothing he can do to keep me but will give me this week paid severence; my two weeks vacation I am entitled too based on the company policy. And a personal and professional letter of recommendation. He expressed that the boss has unreasonable expectations and has run many people out of the office. I am not the first. Either way, I have never been fired from a job. And to be fired for things that were beyond my power I am having a tough time with. How do you bounce back? (Thanks for listening to me vent)

[gee4]

Not sure I am the right person to comment here but if it helps, some jobs I have started have not been right for me.  I believe you know instantly if you are the right fit for a company and if the company is the right fit for you.  I don't know if it's anything personal, but I would pick myself up and move on.  It's hurtful and upsetting I know but believe me, it's better in the long run you get out now instead of further down the line.

[diamondlady]

I'd have to agree with Gee on this.  As you have stated some things happened that were out of your control and I would really not take it to personal.  Just use it as a learning experience and move on.  Start looking for a new position and take some down time in the mean time for a break for you.  Things you like to do and didn't have time to from the sounds of your position, and just take some of that down time to realize that things aren't always what they seem to be in a position like that and it's not all your fault.  Obviously if there have been others than have been let go before you it's not personal.  Bad situation, and tough to handle because you were let go, but take it as a blessing as Gee has said better to let go now and find out early how things are then to wait and find out too late.  

Good luck on your finding a new position right away, as they say once you fall off the saddle get right back on and ride.  Which basically means, don't let getting fired make you not want to get right back in there and look for another position.

Keep us posted on how things go, and vent here anytime you like.  We'll be here to listen.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[raindance]

You have had a fortunate escape!  Your working hours were entirely inappropriate and, in the UK, would be illegal.  This person sounds quite toxic and it is better that you are out of that situation.  It also sounds as though his colleagues know he is impossible.  

Being fired from a job is uncomfortable, to say the least.  I imagine that all sorts of feelings would be stirred up: rejection, inadequacy and feeling incompetent being among them.  Being fired for things that are not your fault must add deep feelings of injustice, which would enrage even the most even-tempered of us.

You are hurting and will hurt for a while - for how long depends on you and your character.  I would suggest that you take a little time for yourself, if that is possible, to relax and recover, maybe do some fun things just for you and then think about the future and where you wish to go from here.  You may wish to take some extra training or perhaps to go in an entirely different direction.  You have, I am sure, many transferable skills.

I am very sorry that you are going through this experience, and I wish you well for the future.  Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

Raindance

[msmarieh]

Sorry to hear of this news. A couple things come to mind. As short as that position was, especially over the holidays, you don't necessarily have to list it on a resume (unless you want to).

Those hours were ridiculous. I agree that you had a lucky escape.

Chin up! I know it feels devastating right now, but I can tell you, I have been fired in the past and life goes on. Don't internalize it too much, just recognize that you had different styles and working processes and that you weren't well suited.

Good luck with the job search.

Marie

[Katie G]

(((burpatricia)))

Honestly, it sounds like a blessing in disguise.  

Sending you good vibes to find the right fit.....

[misslynn]

Those are crazy hours, I don't know how you did that.  I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you had a lucky escape and I hope you find a boss that can appreciate you.  

[jesuschick]

Screw It!!!
Chalk it up to experience and keep it moving.
We've all had those experiences and it's made us better
trust us.

[avaocps]

The #1 thing you must do here is to not take it personally. I also agree that your work hours (and maybe your tasks) were inappropriate. Have you ever read the book by Nan DeMars "You want me to do WHAT?" It goes over some of the things you describe (family errands, unreasonable work hours, etc.). Please read this book so that you understand what your role is as an assistant. There are too many bosses who will take advantage of you. Don't let this happen! You are more valuable and more important than that!

Keep your chin up. I hope you find another position quickly and another boss that will appreciate all that you have to bring to the job. :-)

[oceangirl]

I know it's a shock. It's an awful feeling to get fired.   It's happened to me and it felt horrid. Take some time out and think were you really happy working there?  Were they nice people? If the answer is no to either question then why worry about it?  But it did take me a little while to come to terms with it and I went on to find a job I love working for a big international engineering firm I wouldn’t have this job had I not been sacked from the other.  

Georgie Girl.

[srexecadmin]

He did you a favor!  Thank goodness it was only two months!  How could anyone be expected to work that many hours?  This is clearly a violation of labor laws, not to mention abusive - yes, I said abusive.  Working for a CEO should bring a much higher salary, as well.  It sounds like no one will be able to thrive in that environment!  I'm surprised that you stuck it out that long!  Please know that it's not your fault.  You should get a gold star for effort next time around and your next employer will feel very lucky to have you, indeed!