“I mean there is no arguing. There is no anything. There is no beating around the bush. You are fired is a very strong term.” ~ Donald Trump
I just can’t imagine waking up lively one Monday morning, doing everything like usual, only to be told that I was being fired. I’m sure you can’t imagine this scenario too. But the truth is, it can really happen and it has happened to employees who were fired unawares.
Even when bosses are not verbalizing it, there are certain signs when the company is getting ready to let go of its employees. The earlier you give meaning to these signs, the better. This will give you time to adjust your behavior to suit the boss, or you can begin to hunt for another job and leave the company honorably.
Below are nine signs you will be fired next:
1. Your boss avoids you
Your boss begins to avoid you. Your boss cuts off any discussion that has to do with you and you start noticing that your employer’s face changes whenever you’re around.
2. Delay or reduction in your salary
A delay or reduction in your salary might happen as a result of three factors.
The first is that your company is in debt. The second is that you are being disciplined for a misbehavior, and the third is that you will be pushed out of the company soon.
Whichever the case, none of them is a good sign. If it is the first, Human Resources would be looking to decrease workers and if you did not receive your salary, this is a definite sign that your job is in peril. And if it is the second, you are definitely getting in the shortlist for your misconduct. HR can file it as an excuse for cutting short your contract with the company. And finally, if it is the third, the company simply has no use for your services anymore.
It’s simple. You will be fired.
3. Your company was sold out or merged
One of the most painful developments in a company is when a company is sold or merged and there are layoffs. Employees simply have no control over this.
Once this happens, the board would definitely be shuffled. The new management would definitely have new plans for the company and there is likely to be a replacement.
Begin your job search right away!
See Also: How To Make Your Job Search More Productive
4. You are left out of the loop
If you used to get information early and was privvy to confidential information, and this suddenly changes, this is a huge red flag. If you’re suddenly out of the loop, know nothing about company updates, and even being excluded from work seminars, you don’t need to be told that there is a secretary somewhere typing up your sack letter.
5. Your immediate boss just got fired or left the company for good
If a senior staff who is close to you or your immediate boss gets fired or suddenly leaves, you’ve got to be really careful and stay aware. It’s even more defined if the person who just left or just got fired was the gateway to your appointment with the company.
And when you get a new boss, your new employer will either work with you or have somebody in mind as your replacement.
6. You are given less responsibilities
It’s a bad sign when the tasks and responsibilities normally assigned to you peter out. After all, employees with the most crucial responsibilities and achievements are the most stable in the company and are likeliest to be promoted. On the other hand, workers with less responsibilities are more dispensible and closer to the firing line.
7. You’re being excused from your office more than once
This is one of the most common signs. Your company is expecting a business partner or a guest, and the guest must be offered an office for the couple of weeks he is to spend with your company.
If management is readily taking your office or workspace, you’ll have to stay on your toes. If this happens more often than not, you’ll have to watch out. The next offer might be a sack!
8. Everything you do displeases your boss
Everything you do, anyhow you do it, and anywhere you do it in the company, your boss always finds fault with you. Your employer might even begin to berate you for illogical or trivial matters.
9. You are being given awkward assignments with no support or likelihoods of success
If your boss or company is setting you up for failure rather than success, this is one definite red flag. This sign is one of the most common and it is commonly displayed by wicked bosses.
“Giving you an awkward assignment without a support or likelihood of success is like sending you to the war front with no arm or aid.”
When bosses are tired of an employee, one of their tactics of filing the employee’s exit is by presenting the employee as incapable and the quickest way to do that is by assigning the employee an impossible task and withdrawing all support. Once you begin to see this sign; watch out for the tap.
See Also: 6 Terrible Ways to Handle Getting Fired
In conclusion
If you are seeing two or more signs discussed above, you might be facing a serious and daunting challenge at work. The best that can be done in this situation is to continue to do your best at work while starting your job hunt.
Best Regards,
Daniel