If you knew you were getting fired, how would you react to it. Funny enough, the words “you’re fired” always come as a bit of a surprise. Most people are shocked like they weren’t expecting it at all. That’s quite odd when you consider how many red flags usually precede the actual moment.
While there are many ways to leave a job, getting fired is not the way most employees anticipate leaving their place of employment. Getting fired implies that an individual is leaving an organisation on poor terms. Sometimes a dismissal can happen suddenly, while on some occasions there can be indications of an imminent sacking. Once you know the signs you should be looking for, at least you have a chance to turn things around.
Below are some warning signs, you are about to get fired.
1. You do little or nothing most work days
In a functioning company, new tasks hardly ever stop coming. Ever. So if you feel like you have little to do, your boss probably hands your work over to someone who can do it better than you. Another instance could be when the employer or manager suddenly reduces your workload without consulting you first, it can be a sign you might get fired. They may intend to lessen your workload to ensure that you complete every assignment before sacking you.
2. You receive a pay-cut
There are times when a struggling company has no choice but to reduce salaries to stay afloat. When the company slashes your pay while others receive theirs in full, it can imply imminent dismissal. It is also a sign that they don’t value you anymore.
3. Superiors no longer invite you to important meetings
When you’re about to get fired, managers no longer see any advantage in having you present. After all, if they still valued what you have to say, they wouldn’t want to fire you. Moreover, at this point, they probably prefer to keep all sensitive information proprietary.
4. Your ratings or performance appraisals are constantly dwindling
Performance appraisals or review comments are methods of assessing an employee’s performance. Having occasional unpleasant reviews on your performance is not a sufficient reason to worry. When you receive negative appraisals or constant complaints from your superiors about your professionalism, you might eventually get fired.
5. Your mistakes don’t seem to matter anymore
Part of a superior’s job is to ensure that you realise your errors and correct them to improve productivity. It also shows that the company still values your input and supports your growth. When you notice that your superior keeps ignoring your mistakes, especially the obvious ones, it is a sign that they have resolved to replace you with someone else.
6. Superiors ask you to transfer some of your tasks to a colleague
Occasionally asking a colleague to help you complete some of your tasks is normal in a work environment, but when your superiors suddenly ask you to hand over some of your current assignments or projects to colleagues, it can be a worrying sign. Assigning your duties to others without consulting you may imply that they no longer find you competent. If this persists, a letter of dismissal may come next.
7. When you start searching the internet for signs of getting fired
Not only have you clicked on this article, but you’ve also almost finished it, too. The chances are you have already begun to suspect the end is near. Don’t ignore your gut feeling, it’s probably telling you something important. And having a letter of resignation ready won’t hurt you either.
Once you start looking for a new position, having a top-notch resume will improve your chances of being called for an interview.
