The short of it is that I was basically fired today with an opportunity to sit down with my boss on Friday and make a case if I want to keep my job. If you want details read my next post. If you don't want to read it, well then give me any pointers you can think of to make a case to keep a job, cause the bottom line is I'd prefer to keep my job then to get fired on Friday.

9/9/2009 11:51:08 AM

I've been disciplined once in the 2.5 years (a few months ago) where my boss said he thought I wasn't meeting expectations, but today I was caught pretty off-guard with this. It's a small company, no HR department or anything like that. The two biggest reasons that he gave me were not being a team player and not communicating enough with him what I do on a daily basis, in large part cause there's quite a bit of freedom given to me. He did give me a chance to say what I thought about his reasons and I stated why I thought I had been doing well. After that he said let's do this, take the next two days off, think about it, write a letter, and we'll meet Friday to discuss if you really want to work here and where we can go from there, but no promises.

I like working for the company, the pay and benefits are good, jobs in my field are tough to come by right now, and my boss and I get along well with everybody. Nothing severe has ever happened where I would say I wouldn't feel comfortable coming back, or where he would say he wouldn't feel comfortable keeping me. It's also the only job I've had since graduating in 2006 in biology and it has been a good one. I just think he's really unhappy with my performance, of which there are some things that could be improved upon, although I've got a lot going for me too. My big problem is that there's a very loose structuring and not much communication (which I didn't think it was my job to initiate, but I can see now that it is), and I thrive under at least some kind of structure, and before today it really hadn't been laid out what was expected of me. It's like I "kind of" have two people under me, but they don't want me to manage the people but I'm supposed to manage their work. The team player thing is kinda bullshit, I put on the smiles and the dog and pony show with co-workers as well as anyone else. But there's one kind of task, we do all sorts of biological activities, I said a few months ago that I didn't like doing. I told him if he needs me to do it I'm never going to complain and that I would definitely do it, but if there's a preference or other people to do it (which there's lots of), I would prefer to do something else. Today he said that he thought that was unfair of me, cause it is kind of a shitty job.

Therefore, I'd like to make a strong case to keep my job, probably on a probationary basis, and I'm ok with that. I'm ok with saying where I've made mistakes, and I'm ok with saying that I'll do whatever it takes (especially the task I don't like doing) to get the job done, and I'll do it happily and correctly.

I have a lot to put in my letter, and it primarily will focus on communication (where it went wrong and how it can improve), being a team player (how I'm going to do whatever it takes and work as hard as possible to get any task done right), and lastly what I bring to the table as an employee that has worked for the company for 2.5 years and learned a hell of a lot.

We don't dress up at work, it's pretty casual, and I was thinking of dressing up Friday (slacks, nice shirt, a tie might be overkill) since I'm basically interviewing for my job all over again.

Besides generally being a kissass does anyone have any suggestions so that I can keep my job on Friday? Thanks.

9/9/2009 11:51:43 AM

state what you feel have been your shortcomings leading up to this point and how you will improve/correct those shortcomings; be specific.

state what you feel the company's shortcomings are in providing you the needs to complete said improvements and suggest how those can be improved/corrected.

then a bunch of kiss ass stuff.

9/9/2009 11:57:18 AM

Are you writing the letter and giving it to him before you "re-interview" or does the letter count as the interview?

9/9/2009 11:57:31 AM

just don't make excuses for stuff - don't say "oh, i didn't know that was my job.

accept responsibility for your "shortcomings" regardless of whether or not you agree with your boss.

and what ^^ said.

9/9/2009 12:01:33 PM

Tell him exactly what you just said. You admitted your flaws and explained some of the problems (but like ^ said, don't make excuses), but seem genuinely interested in improving. That's what he wants to hear.

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 12:02 PM. Reason : ]

9/9/2009 12:01:57 PM

I think you and wdprice covered it pretty well.

Be willing to own up to what you think you could do better, and ways that your work could improve the company. I wouldn't be afraid to tell him things that would help you strive in the workplace, but say it in a constructive way. Otherwise, you pretty much have everything that you should cover with him to ensure that you are at least heard.

It's tough times, and I wish you the best on Friday.

9/9/2009 12:02:16 PM

A lot of what you said is irrelevant at the end of the day. Getting along with coworkers or avoiding certain tasks aren't what I would focus one. I would focus on how your work impacts the company's bottom line. Focus on what you get done and how it impacts the company. If you send a lot of time revisiting negative aspects of your job performance, that all they'll probably remember.

i.e. I do tasks X, which impact project Y, which brings in $Texas. My billables are $Y. Without me you couldn't do Z or it would take W times longer resulting in a financial impact of $Q. yadda yadda yadda.... I'm awesome because I make you money.

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 12:10 PM. Reason : grammar FTL]

9/9/2009 12:09:44 PM

When I read the grievances of your boss, it seemed that his underlying problem was that he perceived a general lack of initiative on your part. Your statements also supported this.

If I'm correct, you should address this head on. Good luck, I hope you make a compelling case for him.

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM. Reason : .]

9/9/2009 12:13:44 PM

After your own suggestions, I would ask him if there's anything "specific" that he thinks you can do or is necessary for you to improve. - "What do I need to do to keep working here?"

You mentioned how much freedom you have and how it could be contributing. The "google" atmosphere isn't a good fit for everyone, neither is the mentality of a financial institute. Recognizing what works best for you is important. Maybe there is something in that sense you can address as well. If you find something in that scope, don't make it sound like an excuse. Put as if you "missed it" and it's something you've found a way to change.

I'm not sure I would dress as if it's an interview. That puts you outside of the group. I would go in like you belong there, like you ARE part of the team. If you stroll in like it's an interview, whether he specifically thinks it or not, you're already one step removed - and in an interview. Right now, I'd look at it as if you're just on a disciplinary leave of absence and he wants to know you're really thinking about the consequences. Actually, I'd go in dressed like I'm expecting to return to my desk after the chat (not because it's not a big deal, but because you WANT to be there). I get why you're saying dress up, and you know him better than I do obviously, but I think this is a small psychological thing that could really influence his and your perception of the situation. Interviews suck, for both interviewees and interviewers usually. Don't make it an interview. This should be a good hard talk between two people who have worked together for 2.5 years. I'm sure you don't treat your boss of 2.5 years the same way you do the person who you've never met and is about to interview you. Don't start now, that's just weird. Otherwise, it's just a shallow, kiss ass attempt at saving your job. You boss seems like at least a half decent guy. That or he recognizes what you bring to the table. Otherwise he wouldn't have given you this opportunity. Whatever you do, I think you should be genuine. -- that's my opinion anyhow.

Good luck

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 1:31 PM. Reason : .]

9/9/2009 1:28:49 PM

Thanks all, good stuff, keep it coming if you have anything else to add

^especially big thanks for that

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 1:31 PM. Reason : ]

9/9/2009 1:29:34 PM

i agree on the not dressing up thing.

9/9/2009 1:34:28 PM

and I completely disagree on the dressing up part.

It's like the old saying, Dress for the job you want.

Khaki's and a dress shirt, but not overboard with a tie or anything.

The high tomorrow is 80, so it's not like you are out of line with what you are wearing.

From a professional standpoint, I "kind of manage" a group as well, and have been doing so for a few years. I'm 29 yrs old. You can be certain that if one of those guys came in and had his ass on the line, and after taking 2 days to prepare and write a damn letter stating why he should work here...only to dress like a slouch...

Dude, that lacks credibility.

There is nothing wrong with showing that you care. When you dress good, you feel good. When you feel good, you are confident.

Make the smart and easy choice. Dress for Success.

9/9/2009 1:42:58 PM

Quote :

"It's like the old saying, Dress for the job you want. "

Bingo. People give me crap because I "overdress," but I'm the one moving up in the company...

9/9/2009 1:54:30 PM

This is like the infamous second chance your girlfriend gives you after forgetting to pick her up from work, forgetting her birthday, and not making reservations to her favorite restaurant all in one day!


ASS

9/9/2009 1:58:40 PM

Quote :

"Well look, I already told you! I deal with the goddamn customers so the engineers don't have to! I have people skills! I am good at dealing with people! Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?"

9/9/2009 2:34:15 PM

why the hell is he trying to make you do a song and dance to keep your job

either you're fired or you're not. None of this well tell me why we should keep you BS

9/9/2009 3:08:57 PM

Quote :

"I thrive under at least some kind of structure"

Ultimately, this is going to be the biggest reason why they won't want to keep you. Your performance simply won't be up to par because you don't fit into the "culture" that particular workplace thrives on. It's something you are going to have to work 2-3x harder than anybody to do to fit in.

Now, let me comment this isn't a shortcoming, this is a learning experience. Case in point, I left my first job out of of college due to similar issues with not fitting into the establish workplace culture, and am performing at a much higher level where I am at now because I do fit into the mold better.

Ask to keep your job, look for another in the process that does have such a structure in place.

9/9/2009 3:34:58 PM

Quote :

"You boss seems like at least a half decent guy. That or he recognizes what you bring to the table. Otherwise he wouldn't have given you this opportunity. Whatever you do, I think you should be genuine. -- that's my opinion anyhow"

thats probably the most important thing said in this thread (amidst alot of REALLY important things)

I think he wants to keep you, he wants you to show him that you have the foresight to correct yourself. Aint no damn way hed want you in his face if he didn't hed just have you escorted out upon notice of termination.

i also have to agree with not dressing up, this is a slightly different situation than an interview, honestly ive never heard of anything like this. But I agree with the point the dude made about the psychological aspects. Make it look like youre ready to go straight back to work as soon as your boss tells you you're retained (have that mentality too)

[Edited on September 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM. Reason : d]

9/9/2009 3:38:02 PM

pm Great Gazoo. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to write you a glowing recommendation that cites your high level of maturity and excellent problem solving skills.

9/9/2009 3:41:26 PM

Bottom line is: are you an asset to the company or not?

Quote :

"i.e. I do tasks X, which impact project Y, which brings in $Texas. My billables are $Y. Without me you couldn't do Z or it would take W times longer resulting in a financial impact of $Q. yadda yadda yadda.... I'm awesome important because I make you money."

I like this.

With failure comes experience. Focus on how you are going to learn from this experience and move on.

9/9/2009 4:27:10 PM

Do whatever it takes to keep the job and then apply for as many other jobs as humanly possible. This is like going back to a girl who cheats on you.

If shit hits the fan in that room then walk out like a man don't lose dignity because some middle management lifer assclown feels like getting his dick hard on a powertrip.

9/9/2009 5:04:46 PM

some good points made here.

Dressing up/down/regular depends entirely on your work environment. I've been in positions where a suit was pretty much mandatory daily. My current position I wear tshirt and jeans daily, and there is absolutely zero impact on perception.

I'm like you in that I like some structure around me, but my duties are almost 100% self-set. My way to deal with this has been to create an environment with implicit structure. Not a boss handing down orders or enforcing anything, but my own long, medium and short term goals that I commit to and deliver on. It's not too hard to do, and with the help of my manager, I've done a pretty good job with it.

It sounds like the biggest issue here is communication. Not enough with your direct reports (managing their work and needs), not enough with your manager (keeping up to date on your progress, value and problems), and not enough with yourself (keeping a structure and goals).

I completely agree with your manager on the "Not a Team Player" comment. No one likes to do shit work, so saying you'd rather not do it is leaving the team out to dry. They know you won't do your best with it, and that isn't fair to everyone else. Being a team player isn't small-talk and watercooler conversations, it's being willing and able to suck it up and do what needs to be done regardless of your feelings about the work.

9/9/2009 8:23:45 PM

i read the first two posts only...

sounds like your boss is trying to figure out how serious you are about the job. step up your game, ask for feedback and take responsibility for your shortcomings in your letter. and dont be afraid to ask for feedback (in any job) on a regular basis and seek out a mentor.

9/9/2009 8:42:07 PM

It sounds like to me that you and your boss have very different expectations of what you are supposed to do as far as work performance and evaluation. Have you done things like performance reviews, meetings to discuss progress on projects, etc.? Even if it's a small company the boss should be doing these things as part of his/her management role. It sounds like he woke up recently, realized you aren't doing your job up to par, and is now taking action.

Has he been pressured by an upper manager or his boss? Either way it's still bullshit to make you re-apply for your job all over again.

And, I also work in biology, and I've got a lot of annoying little tasks to do as well- I'm not sure it was a good idea to inform your boss you didn't like that task/experiment, especially if you're capable of doing it.

Hmm..

9/9/2009 10:23:43 PM

There's gotta be something more behind

Quote :

"not being a team player and not communicating enough with him what I do on a daily basis"

These are things a boss would bring up and want to talk about before canning someone. It sounds like we're not hearing the whole story from either side.

9/10/2009 5:06:57 AM

Mr. Bossman:

Consider yourself officially called out, you faggot....

9/10/2009 8:31:03 AM

1) If, as you say, over the 2.5 years leading up to now you have had minimal feedback from your boss, the type of vague disapproval and indecisiveness that your boss has displayed reflects very poorly on his abilities and his seriousness towards his position.

- Without question, you should be given regular, if not scheduled, specific feedback in the general form of a performance review. It does not sound like this is occurring regularly, if at all.

- I understand that each office has a different dynamic and each employee has a different level of autonomy. However, autonomy should not preclude guidance prior to jumping straight to termination. Frankly, doing so negates the effort spent to train and develop you, the employee.

- Communications goes two ways. If the level of communication is not to his liking, it is the responsibility of your boss to communicate to you and your team specific guidelines. Otherwise, he is no more than a pot calling a kettle black.

Therefore ...

2) Do or say whatever is necessary to keep yourself employed during your job search, but be looking on Monday, regardless of the outcome on Friday. This does not sound like the right situation for you, or most people for that matter. My advice for any letter: specifically address each complaint your boss has made. Be clear and specific. For each, clearly acknowledge your shortcomings, citing examples. Immediately follow this with your plan to improve. Include in this plan what your boss can do to make that plan happen. End with a discussion of what you believe have been your strongest contributions. I would stay away from "If you don't have me you can't do this" type of statements, unless you have another job to fall into on Monday. He could decide to call your bluff, whether it is the right move for him or not, based solely on emotion.

9/10/2009 9:01:01 AM

better start working on your resume

and be willing to work in a diff field.

9/10/2009 9:51:32 AM

also.. consider your meeting and your letter documentation for him trying to correct your behavior

hr needs documentation and a paper trail. he prob realized he didn't have a paper trail so he's starting one now. i'd watch your back and be very informed about anything you sign related to your performance, warning or review

9/10/2009 9:16:46 PM

i don't really have anything to add to what's already been said, but am really interested in how this turns out.

good luck.

9/10/2009 9:46:40 PM

Well I've finished the letter, it's about two pages, and it incorporates a lot of the constructive input that you all have given. I'm gonna sleep on it for a few hours, read it in the morning and make any minor changes that might be needed, and wake up and hopefully go to work.

9/11/2009 1:48:17 AM

would be funny if he for some reason read tww

9/11/2009 1:51:14 AM

good luck, son

9/11/2009 2:43:37 AM

Well he hasn't showed back up saying he got canned. So he either kept his job or he's someplace drinking.

9/11/2009 12:48:45 PM

Well, a verdict has not been rendered yet. I have to wait til Monday so he can ponder the letter and discuss with the other managers. Details below.

I came into the office early to be there when he got there at 8. I did not dress up or down, I thought about it and I think it would have put him off to dress up seeing as how a tie has never entered our office before. He said he had a meeting from 9-11:30 and asked if we could sit down at lunch time. I obliged, and gave him my two page signed letter, and went home. He called about noon and we met for lunch and he paid for both of us. I noticed he did not have my letter on him. We sat down, and he started by saying that he had not made a decision. He read my letter, and he wanted to re-read my letter several times over the weekend, but more importantly he wanted to sit down with the other two principal managers in the company and let them read the letter and then they would make a decision from there. He said that he wanted me to know that as it stood right now, it did not look good, but that he found my letter heartfelt and "very compelling." He used that term probably another dozen times throughout the 40 minute meeting. We talked a little about the past, trying not to dwell on mistakes, but how we could potentially move forward from here. As it turns out one of his biggest concerns was how I would react if he did rehire me. That is, if I would do shitty work to get back at him taking disciplinary action, or if there would be animosity or awkwardness. Without knowing that this was a concern of his, I stated that if he did bring me back that I would handle the discipline professionally, that I most certainly would not be in the field and intentionally do bad work to get back at him, and that I wanted nothing more to get past this scenario and get back to working together as a team. I said sure the first few days might be a little weird, but once I got back into the field and back into the swing of things that I really thought that this would smooth over and things could get back to normal.

In the end of my letter I stated that if brought back on, I understand that a probationary period would be in order and that failure to meet any of the commitments (I used the word commit a lot in the letter, and completely avoided using the words "try" and "hope to" and "intend") could and should result in immediate dismissal. He thought that if he brought me back on that that was a very good idea, and I stated that I realize that rebuilding trust is not an overnight thing, and that I'd be willing to put in the extra work for however long it took, til the end of the month, til the end of the year, however long it needed to take, to get through that probationary period.

Bottom line, I'm pretty sure that I convinced him. I think he's open, although maybe a bit skeptical, to bringing me back on. That's not the problem though. Like I said he now has to make a case for bringing me back to the other two principal managers. The one guy is relatively new to the company (although he and my boss go way back) and we get along very well and he really doesn't have anything bad to say about me, and I think he will be in my corner as well. Then there's the third boss, and somewhere along the lines of the last 6 months or so I fell out of her good graces and she flat out doesn't like me. Any time I screwed up she was there to point the finger and let it be known that I screwed up, and never offered anything constructive to me. Being my immediate supervisor, she has scrutinized my work and of course found flaws. I know that's where this is all coming from, and it's been an uphill battle like I said for 6 months now. Knowing that she's had it out for me, she jumped down my case with a nasty e-mail about 2 months ago saying that I wasn't living up to expectations, and I replied an e-mail basically saying x and y and z are going on (I was moving, got heat exhaustion working in the field, was working outside in the summer heat more than anyone else in the company) and asked for her to please cut me a little slack. In that email I also said I know you've had it out for me for months, and you are holding things over my head that happened months ago and have long been resolved, and asked her for a clean slate so that we could improve our relationship and move forward. In that email I got completely caught up on my back work by working like 16 hours on that Monday, and in her reply email she did not mention anything about my olive branch and just said only "thank you for the update that's what we expect from you." I thought that our relationship had mildly improved since then, but obviously I was wrong.

Anyways, my boss gave me the mid-month paycheck that covers my salary for the rest of the month and he said that at the very least he'd pay my salary through September and that regardless of the outcome he wasn't going to completely throw me to the wolves and that we'd work something out, whatever that meant. He also said that if he doesn't bring me back he'll help out in whatever way he can to get me re-employed, so I'm guessing that I won't have to tell my next employer that I was fired. He really isn't a bad guy or even a mean guy, and I consider him a friend. But he definitely said that I should be prepared for either outcome and that he would definitely let me know Monday morning.

So I've done all I can do, and now it's time to play the waiting game, and it's time to spend the weekend inebriated enough so I that I can
A.) Sleep
B.) Eat
C.) Not think about it
cause for the last 72 hours those three things have been hard to come by.

9/11/2009 1:41:10 PM

Quote :

"Then there's the third boss, and somewhere along the lines of the last 6 months or so I fell out of her good graces and she flat out doesn't like me."

Ahh, now we're starting to hear the rest of the story. Something tells me whatever you did to piss her off is the ultimate reason you were fired, especially if she is your immediate supervisor.

9/11/2009 1:57:42 PM

well there we have it - a woman is involved.

9/11/2009 2:11:01 PM

yea you might be screwed by her.

9/11/2009 2:18:13 PM

Okay, I didn't read a lot of the other responses in this thread, but I have to say... the way that your boss is handling this situation is absolutely atrocious. A few of points, if I may:

1. Any respectable manager will not leave an employee, current or on probation, twisting in the wind about the status of their job. Sure, there are instances like company downsizing or changes in business strategy that may impact this, but it sounds like she's in control on this particular decision.

2. From what I read above, did she actually provide you with any on-going guidance, feedback, or other performance-related input? If you were caught off-guard, then something is very, very wrong with this picture.

3. Regardless of the way this turns out, because you've been strung along now for a week, there is no way you're going to be able to avoid resentment or weirdness. One way or the other, your work relationship has changed, and not at all for the better.


Bottom line: after all of this, if you haven't proven your worth to the company over the amount of time you've worked there, maybe it's time to consider this as a blessing, and move on with your life. No one should be forced to grovel for their job in front of a manager that can't make a decision.

9/11/2009 2:22:04 PM

That's a pretty important part of the story that you left out of your initial post. You made it seem like this all came out of the blue, when in reality your immediate supervisor (and one of three people who has pull to fire you) has had it out for you for months-- whether fairly or not.

I'd say you are probably screwed if she is the type of backbiting bitch I have encountered before in a typical workplace, but good luck. You did what you could.

9/11/2009 2:29:15 PM

i think this is really just an easy way to can you, while putting the onus on you. the third boss sounds like a raving bitch with a chip on her shoulder who puppets around your immediate supervisor.


good luck :-/

9/11/2009 2:52:59 PM

If he paid for your lunch and went this far to keep you in consideration, then I think you definitely still have a chance. Usually this kind of stuff is just to diffuse the actual firing.

[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 3:07 PM. Reason : dur]

9/11/2009 3:04:00 PM

are you prettier than your immediate supervisor?

that could be it

kidding aside, I hope it goes well

9/11/2009 3:12:06 PM

It sounds to me that you are confused about who your boss is. You keep calling your boss a "he" and yet your "immediate supervisor" whom "scrutinized" your work is a "she." Now I get it that you would refer to the other two managers or whatever as your boss too, but ultimately you should only have one boss. I mean if you really do have 3 bosses, you are never going to please all 3 of them and maybe this is what you meant by not having a structured environment or whatever. In that case who do you report to? Do you have an annual review or anything like that and if so who conducts it? Are there ever conflicting assignments (ie Boss1 needs you to do X now while Boss2 also needs you to do Y now) and how would the conflict be resolved? There should be a definitive hierarchy where you answer to 1 person and while that person may tell you to do tasks or take orders from from the other managers at certain times, at the end of the day you should only have to please your boss (singular).

It sounds to me that the person you refer as your "boss" assumes the role of an HR person since your company doesn't have one.

9/11/2009 3:15:29 PM

Am I the only one that thinks he should use this as an opportunity to leave? This sort of treatment is ridiculous.

9/11/2009 3:18:31 PM

I guess I considered it out of the blue because I thought my relationship with my female boss had improved, and that things were on the up and up. If this had happened two months ago, I would have been like "I knew it, damn her." But being so far removed from that without any incident, without any feedback, man I guess I had convinced myself that things were cool.

The strangest part of the whole talk was he made a comment where he said I think ultimately the phone was your downfall. And I stopped and looked at him to make sure I heard him right, and said "the phone?" completely perplexed. And he said yeah, if you had checked in more, communicated more, told us where you were more often, but you didn't. And all I could think was (didn't say it, I bit my tongue), dude you write the schedule every week dictating what sites I go to and with whom, my desk is next to yours and I see you at least twice a week if only for a few minutes, and you're the one who gave me this kind of autonomy. Heck you even pay my cell phone bill every month so you might as well get your money's worth. So the only thing I could think to reply in a constructive sense was I guess I was unable to see where you drew the line between me being autonomous and me being "A Lone Ranger" as you had mentioned the other day. We left it at that.

He's the owner/GM/boss of the company, and he does a lot of things that are great, he even does all the accounting/invoicing/paychecks at the end of the month and he always has since he started the company 5 or 6 years ago. But he's always admitted that one of his faults is not really knowing how to manage people and so he likes to let people manage themselves without a rigid chain of command. I definitely slipped through that crack.

9/11/2009 3:20:31 PM

have you perused the unemployment thread lately? In this kind of economy, unless I had something lined up, I'd be willing to take alot of shit before I voluntarily left a job that I liked.

9/11/2009 3:21:27 PM

^^ It's not your fault that he can't set the proper expectations, and you shouldn't be made to feel like the bad guy when he doesn't communicate them properly. If you weren't meeting his needs for communication, it's HIS job to tell you that, not yours to figure out on your own. There's a reason why supervisors are supposed to give timely feedback to their employees.

^ I agree, it sucks. But if he's already effectively been fired, this sort of this is like adding icing on a cake that's already molded. You throw it away.

9/11/2009 3:27:07 PM

that's exactly right, the job market sucks, and I just happen to be in a growing company in a shrinking field, all my experience will likely not be applied to my next job if I'm fired

also I did mention that one of my regrettable actions was that I was stubborn in that I thought that feedback should be initiated from the top down and quite frankly I didn't think it was my place to initiate all the communication

I don't report to anybody that's the thing. I never have. If I want to work from home instead of coming into the office then that was perfectly acceptable, my boss even pays for road runner turbo at home because of that. And that's why I didn't think I had to report on a daily basis. And I'm not confused on whom my boss is, there's clearly been two of them that I've been told to think of as equals, the original partners of the business, the guy who fired me and is my real "boss" and then the female supervisor who bosses me as well. No annual review, no periodic performance review. One of the things that I told him today was that if I'm rehired I really would like some sort of regular review to at least take the shock factor out of the bad news.



[Edited on September 11, 2009 at 3:30 PM. Reason : ]

9/11/2009 3:27:59 PM