What to Do When You Think You’re Getting Fired

Getting fired is not the end of the world. According to one study, more than 90% of people bounce back from losing a job in a big way and end up finding a job that’s as good as or even better than their previous position.

But that obviously doesn’t mean that you should allow yourself to get fired if you can avoid it. If you have reason to believe that your employer might be thinking about parting ways with you, spring into action and try to do something about it before it’s too late.

Here are some of the things you should do when you suspect that you might be on the verge of getting fired.

Consider Why You Think You’re Going to Get Fired

Why do you think you might be getting fired soon? That’s the first question you should ask yourself before you start thinking about what to do if you get fired.

Do you think your employer is going to fire you because:

• You haven’t been doing a good job?
• They’re looking for ways to scale back their budget?
• The job you do is becoming obsolete?

By considering why you think you might be fired soon, you can come up with possible solutions to the problem.

For example, if you’re currently performing a job that might not be necessary soon, you can begin diversifying your skillset and taking on new tasks that are necessary. It’ll show your employer how valuable you are to your company.

Seek Feedback From Your Supervisor About Your Recent Job Performance

If you think that you might be getting fired soon because of your recent job performance, there is a chance that it could all be in your head. You might be doing a much better job than you realize and being too hard on yourself.

It’s always a good idea for people to actively seek feedback from their supervisors as often as they can. Even if they’re not doing a great job, it’ll show their supervisors that they’re trying their hardest to get better.

Don’t be afraid to pull your supervisor aside to ask about your recent job performance. They might confirm your suspicions by telling you that they’ve been unhappy with the job you’ve been doing, or they might put your mind at ease by patting you on the back while telling how proud they are of all the hard work you’ve been putting in.

Take a Look at Some of the Other Jobs Available in Your Area Right Now

When is the last time you took a good, long look at the local job market to see what kinds of jobs are available? If it’s been a while since you did it, now would be the perfect time to look around online to see which jobs might be a good fit for you.

You should really get into the habit of doing this early and often, even if you’re not worried about getting fired. You never know when you’re going to come across your dream job or a job that pays you much better than the job you have now.

Start Saving Some Extra Money Every Pay Period

If you were to get fired by your employer tomorrow, do you have enough money saved up in the bank to survive for at least a few months? Sadly, most Americans don’t have nearly enough money in their savings accounts.

You should think about adding some extra cushioning to your savings account over the next month or two if you have a hunch that your employer might let you loose. It’ll help you land on your feet and prevent you from having to accept whatever job you can find after being fired.

Begin Tidying up Your Workspace and Taking Personal Possessions Home

When employers decide to fire an employee, they don’t usually let them hang around for very long. Often times, those who have been fired will only have a few minutes to gather up their belongings and leave the building.

With this in mind, you should begin cleaning up your workspace and removing any personal possessions that you keep at work if you suspect you’re going to be getting fired soon. This will help you avoid having to scramble at the last minute to clean up your workspace and pack up all your belongings.

Read Through Your Employee Handbook to See How Your Company Handles Terminations

Remember the employee handbook that you received when you accepted your current job? Chances are, you didn’t spend much time skimming through the section about how your employer handles terminations.

Do it now so that you know what you can expect if you are, in fact, let go. Your handbook will let you know if you’re entitled to any kind of severance package. It’ll also let you know if you’ll be paid for any unpaid sick and vacation days you’ve accrued.

Call a Lawyer If You Believe You’re Being Fired for the Wrong Reasons

Do you think you might be fired soon for the wrong reasons?

Maybe you believe your supervisor is retaliating against you for something you said to them by firing you. Or maybe you believe your boss is firing you for turning down their unwanted advances at a company party.

Whatever the case, you should get a wrongful termination lawyer on the phone ASAP to discuss your situation. They can tell you if you might have a strong enough wrongful termination case.

Getting Fired Doesn’t Have to Derail Your Career

Most people think that getting fired is the worst thing that will ever happen to them. But many times, it ends up being one of the best things that could happen to a person.

Getting fired has a way of motivating people like never before. They’re able to turn their career around after moving to a new company and getting a fresh start. It’s why you shouldn’t fear being fired if you think it’s going to happen soon.

Read the other articles on our blog for more tips on dealing with problems at work.