Incidents Resulting in Possible Job Termination?

[ultrarunner]

I'd be highly insulted!
Why did this 15 year old story end up on the front page?

It was a new story when it ended up on the front page…

Not long ago at another hospital there was a police interaction and it was recorded on officer body cam.

Management under freedom of information act obtained the body cam footage and it was not good for the employee…

These days there are many ways to stumble on a career path…

Just not using the requested pronoun through no malice or ill intent can be career ending..

We had a 24 year service foreign born RN trying to communicate with a patient and the RN asked the daughter while waiting for the translator how long the patient had been living here and the daughter said over 20 years and the nurse asked why she couldn’t understand English for being here such a long time… a formal complaint was filed..

 

[JasperFrank]

I decline any and all interviews with the press. Because I usually led the private franchise tours, management was always requesting that I prepare some sort of fluff interview. Its was a no win for me, cause they expected me to prepare on my own time. And shut down the whole day, cleaning and making sure competitors could not determine how we were doing things as proprietary info. This would set us back a whole day in the numbers...... And guess who got blamed for that?

 

[paulsharvey]

I know a guy, at the time a pipe superintendent, that got fired for a post. It seemed innocent enough, "Pray for me, got some big decisions to make", but it also listed the location, a small town that houses that site companies major rival. They put two and two together, and it was obvious he just interviewed with the rival, so they terminated him.

 

[paulsharvey]

I try to avoid posting anything really anymore, but in the past, I have posted videos on water mains breaks, or storm aftermath. Never really thought about it, but apparently any picture taken while on the clock is "work product" and it's not actually your picture, so you shouldn't be sharing it.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure there are people on TBN that I likely know/work around, or atleast would recognize me... Really should have, in hind site, been a bit more incognito

 

[Sigarms]

We were for decades small community based but boy did things change once we were acquired by a 80,000 employee Heath Care System…

Believe me, I know about growing.

First company in my industry I worked, the owner knew me and offered me a car loan, interest free because he heard from my boss I was looking for new car.

Owner died, brother took over, big family buyout to boot, and 13 years later I left the company (and that was SOME time ago).

Family didn't sell outside the family, they just grew to the point that you were a number and no one knew who you were.

Got a phone call from a old boss from a old employer who is now a big wig at a major manufacturer. He called because he knew how I worked for him. Asked me if I was interested in working for the manufacturer and I told him no (it would be kind of a nice title and the prestige of working for the manufacturer). I have no doubt that I could excel at the job, it's just that dealing with "corporate" is just too much BS to deal with at my age when people over me want something done.

I also asked him if they used salesforce, he told me yes, and I said I could stop him right there because that software was BS sold to management who want to feel good about themselves so they can track what people are doing.

 

[5030]

Candidly, I lost my temper more than once at the outfit I worked at and they were a pretty large company but, my general manager was and still is a good friend of mine so any indiscretion on my part was never elevated past him. Tough being a middle manager when dealing with a lot of idiots. Lots of good people too, but the idiots were always an issue. I finally dealt with my temper and just terminated them before I got stupid.

 

[JethroB]

Believe me, I know about growing.

First company in my industry I worked, the owner knew me and offered me a car loan, interest free because he heard from my boss I was looking for new car.

Owner died, brother took over, big family buyout to boot, and 13 years later I left the company (and that was SOME time ago).

Family didn't sell outside the family, they just grew to the point that you were a number and no one knew who you were.

Got a phone call from a old boss from a old employer who is now a big wig at a major manufacturer. He called because he knew how I worked for him. Asked me if I was interested in working for the manufacturer and I told him no (it would be kind of a nice title and the prestige of working for the manufacturer). I have no doubt that I could excel at the job, it's just that dealing with "corporate" is just too much BS to deal with at my age when people over me want something done.

I also asked him if they used salesforce, he told me yes, and I said I could stop him right there because that software was BS sold to management who want to feel good about themselves so they can track what people are doing.

I felt that way about SAP enterprise software that a former employer used. Time to move on …..

 

[bdhsfz6]

I had such an incident back in 1980.

I was an engineer working for the old Bell System at the time, and had designed an aerial telephone cable crossing over the Delaware river. A trade magazine picked up on this and sent a reporter out to cover the story. I was at the construction site supervising one of the crews at the time and was approached by this reporter. He didn't introduce himself and struck up a conversation. He was friendly enough and I just assumed he was one of the many spectators watching the construction. Eventually, I got busy and didn't notice that he was also taking pictures.

Three weeks later, I was called into the District Managers office and read the riot act for giving an interview to the press. He threw a copy of the trade magazine on the desk and there I was on the front cover! It was my own fault and had no defense other than the fact the reporter didn't introduce himself. After a lengthy chewing out, I wasn't fired but it cost me my bonus that year.

I considered legal recourse against the magazine, since I was photographed and quoted without signing a release, but the boss said to let it drop. There was no harm done, except to my wallet, and the article was very supportive of the company project.

Live & learn.

 

[ultrarunner]

I had such an incident back in 1980.

I was an engineer working for the old Bell System at the time, and had designed an aerial telephone cable crossing over the Delaware river. A trade magazine picked up on this and sent a reporter out to cover the story. I was at the construction site supervising one of the crews at the time and was approached by this reporter. He didn't introduce himself and struck up a conversation. He was friendly enough and I just assumed he was one of the many spectators watching the construction. Eventually, I got busy and didn't notice that he was also taking pictures.

Three weeks later, I was called into the District Managers office and read the riot act for giving an interview to the press. He threw a copy of the trade magazine on the desk and there I was on the front cover! It was my own fault and had no defense other than the fact the reporter didn't introduce himself. After a lengthy chewing out, I wasn't fired but it cost me my bonus that year.

I considered legal recourse against the magazine, since I was photographed and quoted without signing a release, but the boss said to let it drop. There was no harm done, except to my wallet, and the article was very supportive of the company project.

Live & learn.

Do you think a rouse to avoid bonus as story was supportive?

 

[Sigarms]

I felt that way about SAP enterprise software that a former employer used. Time to move on …..

No clue about SAP enterprise software, but the company I used to work for picked up salesforce because a large multi billion dollar company picked up salesforce and the company I worked for was told it was great.

I dealt with a lot of inside people at this multi billion company, people who know what they're doing and are good at what they do in the trade. EVERY single person I talked to that had to deal with Salesforce told me it was a crock of crap and they hated dealing with it.

I ended up calling those same people because I was told it was a great program and I couldn't figure out why I hated it but this one company loved it. Low and behold, no one I talked to liked the software LOL

I figured it out...

Upper management gets sold a bill of goods for a pretty penny. What they were sold sucks, BUT, if they drop it, upper management looks bad and they don't have to deal with it themselves, they just read the reports, so they don't want to admit they made a mistake and just keep the software program and make people use it.

Ironically enough, when my old boss called me back wondering if I would talk to his company looking to hire me, he told me that yes, Salesforce is required by employees, but he and other upper management didn't have to use it. That said, I would have to use it in my position.

Yet another reason why I'm glad I turned down the interview...

Salesforce sucks for what it's intended for, but I will admit it works great for tracking issues (NOT what it was intended for).

 

[ericm979]

I didn't work in sales but I've been in enough executive meetings to know why upper management likes salesforce- it gives them a quick view into where each customer is and what each rep is doing. It takes less time than talking to the reps.

 

[MossRoad]

Incidents Resulting in Possible Job Termination?

I've only fired two people in my life. I've shared these stories before.

1 - I fired a guy because he lit a 350 gallon 100 octane fuel tanker truck on fire while checking the level of the top-filling tank with a match (correction, it was a lighter) in the dark in a fuel farm. It's the stuff cartoons are made of. He managed to put it out. No injuries. But we couldn't have that level of stupidity anywhere around fuel, aircraft, etc... it would just have been a matter of time before he either injured or killed himself or someone else.

2 - I fired a guy because while he was on the clock on the overnight shift he was taking rental cars without paying for them to go out with hookers. Plus, he was married with three little girls. And, he was a friend of mine from childhood.

As for myself, I had a supervisor that liked to ride people out of the company that he saw as threats to his superiority I guess. He chased out 3 before me. I documented all of his actions, complied with everything I was required to do to keep my job, and when he went to fire me I went to the HR director. They were gonna stick up for him. So I consulted a labor lawyer and went to the VP that oversaw the HR director. Presented my facts and documentation. He rolled his eyes and told me to give him a few days. He ended up making my supervisor and the HR director apologize to me in front of him, and handed me a fat check!

A couple years later they tried it again! And I got another apology and another fat check!

The supervisor then moved to a different position and I never had to deal with him again.

 

[MossRoad]

We had a young receptionist intern who was well liked with good reviews.

On her break she took a selfie at her desk captioned Lovin My Job… it terminated her employment.

She posted to her private Face Book page and in the background her monitor was on…

Zero tolerance on HIPAA and that was that… she did get a good reference and found new employment quickly…

At her age my generation didn’t have to worry about social media posts…

My wife took a video of one of our cats reaching over her computer monitor and chasing her mouse on the screen. Really cute. I told her to look what was on the screen.... she deleted the video. She never posts anything on social media, but you never know where something will end up.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Do you think a rouse to avoid bonus as story was supportive?

No, it was a clear violation of company policy, regardless of what was printed.

 

[MossRoad]

No clue about SAP enterprise software, but the company I used to work for picked up salesforce because a large multi billion dollar company picked up salesforce and the company I worked for was told it was great.

I dealt with a lot of inside people at this multi billion company, people who know what they're doing and are good at what they do in the trade. EVERY single person I talked to that had to deal with Salesforce told me it was a crock of crap and they hated dealing with it.

I ended up calling those same people because I was told it was a great program and I couldn't figure out why I hated it but this one company loved it. Low and behold, no one I talked to liked the software LOL

I figured it out...

Upper management gets sold a bill of goods for a pretty penny. What they were sold sucks, BUT, if they drop it, upper management looks bad and they don't have to deal with it themselves, they just read the reports, so they don't want to admit they made a mistake and just keep the software program and make people use it.

Ironically enough, when my old boss called me back wondering if I would talk to his company looking to hire me, he told me that yes, Salesforce is required by employees, but he and other upper management didn't have to use it. That said, I would have to use it in my position.

Yet another reason why I'm glad I turned down the interview...

Salesforce sucks for what it's intended for, but I will admit it works great for tracking issues (NOT what it was intended for).

We've got a personal growth, goal setting, self-review program at my employer. Everyone hates it. It gets 1 star on the reviews only because you can't give 0 stars. The employees hate it. The managers hate it. HR hates it. But we were told not complain about it until Joe X retires, because it was his idea and the company bought it.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Here's my actually funny work related story and termination:
In 1972 while going to college I worked for a large appliance store (sales/service) as an electronic repair technician.
I started $3.25/hr & shop forman made $3.75.
After a couple years raised to $3.50 then another older tech Lyle decided to open his own business at home. He said he needed my help working in evenings and paid me 1/2 his labor charge. I finished college, working 40 hrs. at appliance store but making more money working a few hours each evening for Lyle. So I went in store owner/boss's office saying I was going to work full time for Lyle.
Boss thought a bit then said "would you stay here if I paid you half labor?". I almost passed out saying "sure!!!".
So I did, and was making a LOT. Time passed then one day as usual I was working on several things at once when I heard throat clearing, turned around and boss motioned me going to his office. Other techs had their feet propped up, drinking coffee & smoking.
My boss said I'd have to go. "Why?" I asked. "Because you're doing all the work. If you leave they would have to work!". I shook his hand, left on good terms saying it's his business & decision.
That's when my wife talked me into opening my business & we worked together. It was very slow at first then my old boss called me saying he had a problem. I knew what it was as he said they had a shop full of stuff...nothing was being repaired. I said I'd be happy to help but now it would have to be 100% not 50% labor. He agreed and brought in truck loads of stuff.
So in the end he really did me a favor! Within a couple years he retired, sold his company and the buyer soon went out of business.

 

[MossRoad]

Here's my actually funny work related story and termination:
In 1972 while going to college I worked for a large appliance store (sales/service) as an electronic repair technician.
I started $3.25/hr & shop forman made $3.75.
After a couple years raised to $3.50 then another older tech Lyle decided to open his own business at home. He said he needed my help working in evenings and paid me 1/2 his labor charge. I finished college, working 40 hrs. at appliance store but making more money working a few hours each evening for Lyle. So I went in store owner/boss's office saying I was going to work full time for Lyle.
Boss thought a bit then said "would you stay here if I paid you half labor?". I almost passed out saying "sure!!!".
So I did, and was making a LOT. Time passed then one day as usual I was working on several things at once when I heard throat clearing, turned around and boss motioned me going to his office. Other techs had their feet propped up, drinking coffee & smoking.
My boss said I'd have to go. "Why?" I asked. "Because you're doing all the work. If you leave they would have to work!". I shook his hand, left on good terms saying it's his business & decision.
That's when my wife talked me into opening my business & we worked together. It was very slow at first then my old boss called me saying he had a problem. I knew what it was as he said they had a shop full of stuff...nothing was being repaired. I said I'd be happy to help but now it would have to be 100% not 50% labor. He agreed and brought in truck loads of stuff.
So in the end he really did me a favor! Within a couple years he retired, sold his company and the buyer soon went out of business.

That reminds me of a friend of mine's son. He got a job with the phone company as a service tech. He was supposed to get his work orders in the morning, complete them, and go home at the end of the day. Well, he completed most of them before lunch, so he'd go back and get more. The older techs told him not to do that because he was completing double the work orders that they were and if he did that, they'd be expected to do more. They actually threatened him. The told him if he completed his work orders early, to find a phone box along any road, open it up, and just sit there and look at it until it was time to go home.

There's a phone box across the street from our house. When we first moved in here, it seemed like multiple times a week for several years there'd be a guy sitting there looking at it. I always wondered why they had so much trouble at that box. It never occurred to me what was going on until he told me that story several years later.

He eventually quit that job, but every time since then, any time I saw a phone guy sitting by a box, I always remembered that story.

 

[Jstpssng]

he lit a 350 gallon 100 octane fuel tanker truck on fire while checking the level of the top-filling tank with a match

Decades ago (1980) a newly hired salesman at the local Chevrolet dealership was sent out to help clean the service garage. He was filling a 55 gallon drum with water and apparently used a cigarette lighter to see how full it was.
It was the last thing that he ever did. That drum took off like a rocket and bounced off the ceiling, and killed him on the way up.

 

[ultrarunner]

No, it was a clear violation of company policy, regardless of what was printed.

But not initiated by you and reporter used deception…

You wanted to set the record straight but told to stand down.

 

[paulsharvey]

Don't know how other industries work, but construction, there is a fine line between BSing with guys on the side of the road, and an interview. We are told to say "no comment" to any media. Problem is now, who's to say a passer by that seems interested isn't a YouTube or TikTok media person. Who's to know what people post of their door alarm video...