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Original poster

Just got fired - never been fired before...

35 replies

whattafuckup · 30/07/2021 16:22

Started a temp contract last month, due to last for a few months. Was very excited as it was the first paid job I'd got since passing my Masters, and I've been working for free for four years just to get into this line of work.

As soon as I started, I was told my manager wouldn't be in post for a month other than for a few days here and there. My manager's manager then went on holiday for a week. During this week, I was then told that there could potentially be an event for a small group of people to attend at the end of this week, at the other end of the country. The requirements for the accommodation being rather specific, I booked two hotels, even though I wasn't asked to - knowing that hotel bookings for large groups with specific hotel requirements is really quite tricky.

In the mean time, I'm booking and changing dates for other vans, cars, other hotel bookings, making up schedules etc. The event for this week was cancelled, all the other dates were changed (as happens) and although I cancelled one hotel, missed another, which resulted in the company being charged for one night's worth of rooms - as did the bookings agent, and my manager.

So I got fired. I did offer to pay for it out of my own money, but I was 'let go', as my manager's manager didn't realise I would 'need so much support and training.' I'm just crap, aren't I?

OP posts:

Needapoodle · 30/07/2021 16:29

No. You made one mistake. Their loss!

Original poster

whattafuckup · 30/07/2021 16:31

I do wonder whether it wasn't something else as well - that I was too old or fuddyduddy for them - or that my statement of health came back with big warnings on it - I dunno. I just don't think I could have tried much harder, and I don't think I'm particularly slow on the uptake, or slow to execute things.

OP posts:

Redlorryellow · 30/07/2021 16:38

Urgh I’ve been here and please don’t beat yourself up. They should provide you with support whether it be a line manager or a buddy, their expectations are too high and no you’re not crap, you actually sound quite switched on. I used to work at a company which hired temps for admin/float PA and to be honest the attitude to them was terrible, one tiny mistake and people would pile in on them and they’d demand a new temp from the agency. They’ll soon realise this is no way to run a business and I hope you find something a bit better suited. Bigger corporates are much worse for this btw.

Gazelda · 30/07/2021 16:39

You weren't well supported or supervised. Their loss.

peoplewatching · 30/07/2021 16:46

agree with everyone else, the first thing HR should always ask before you want to dismiss anyone is if that person has received the right amount of support. I think you were using your initiative. Sounds like they are not the company you'd want to be working for longer term anyway. Don't let them dampen your spirits, know your worth.

Mindymomo · 30/07/2021 16:52

We all make mistakes, I made a massive costly one where I worked once. One of the directors wanted me gone and told me to my face I was useless. I walked out, but fortunately another director came and got me. The job wasn’t the same after and I left to get something better.

At least you’ve got a bit of experience behind you and hope that if you are with an agency they can help you.

CarolinaWeeper · 30/07/2021 17:03

Were they pleased that you'd taken the initiative to book the hotels in the first place? It sort of reads that you had taken it upon yourself to book the hotels despite not being asked to which could either be brilliantly switched on or seen as meddling, especially if they then got charged. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding your post and it does sound like you had no support which isn't on.

Original poster

whattafuckup · 30/07/2021 17:03

Yeah, thanks everyone - all I can really do is brush myself down and try again, eh? And just hope I don't fuck up again. My husband says he's seen me work and doesn't think I'm rubbish (and he's been working in the same industry for twenty-odd years). And my daughter kindly said that a project I'd worked on beforehand I practically made happen single-handedly (not quite true, but I did work hard). Think I'm just going to have to chalk it up to experience and not try to let it get me down too much.

OP posts:

Original poster

whattafuckup · 30/07/2021 17:05

@CarolinaWeeper - I was asked to see if some equipment and vehicles would be free, but yes, I did take it upon myself to book the hotels as it was 6 business days away, and a large group booking where the hotel had to have a lot of services in place, so it wasn't like we could just put them up anywhere, and they all had to be together.

OP posts:

Original poster

whattafuckup · 30/07/2021 17:06

But yes, I see what you mean - they may have thought I'd jumped the gun. But then, what would have happened if it had gone ahead and I'd not been able to get the hotel they needed? Would I have also got the sack for that, I wonder?

OP posts:

KatherineJaneway · 30/07/2021 17:15

Sorry this happened to you

It won't have been the early booking of the hotels as that shows initiative, it will be the lapse in attention to detail for not cancelling in time and costing them money.

We've all made mistakes like this, onwards and upwards OP.

AmandaHoldensLips · 30/07/2021 17:24

I've been fired twice. Because I am SHE-RAAAAAAAH!!!!!

I think you were clearly brilliant and full of initiative and they didn't deserve you anyway.

couchparsnip · 30/07/2021 17:31

You might be right about them wanting to find a reason to let you go. Temp work sucks. One time I was let go from a reception job and was asked to train my replacement in my last two days. She was younger and prettier of course - I cried off sick for the rest of the contract and left them to it. I'm not sorry.

Sundancerintherain · 30/07/2021 17:31

I used to work for shit management. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.
Their loss op, the clearly have no idea on how to support or guide a new hire.

Orchidflower1 · 30/07/2021 17:36

Sorry you’ve been treated this way @whattafuckup. It doesn’t actually sound like a great place to work tbh and they clearly didn’t value you. I think it was a case of damned if you do and damned if you didn’t: I think if you’d not booked the rooms and they needed them they’d have sacked you.

They don’t deserve you and you deserve far better. 🌸🍷

goldglassesandchains · 30/07/2021 17:37

Sorry if this appears a little harsh - but why did you book the hotels without asking anyone if this is what they wanted you to do? I know you wanted to show initiative, but there's a difference between going to someone with a list of things that you think need to be done - like booking hotels etc - and just doing it.

In future I'd check with someone. I know your managers and their manager was off, but surely you weren't the only one in the office - there must have been someone to ask? Also as PP said, it really shows a lack of attention to detail to forget to cancel the bookings and costing them money.

I don't think I would have fired you, that seems a little extreme, but I would certainly be worried that you were keenly spending company funds on things I hadn't asked you to do.

At least you know for next time! Onwards and upwards.

FAQs · 30/07/2021 17:42

You booked the hotels etc for a ‘potential’ event! Rather than just research, that’s crazy!

FAQs · 30/07/2021 17:45

What was the value of the mistake?

CaptSkippy · 30/07/2021 17:46

Statement of health? Why did your employer need to know about your health? Isn't that kind of information private?

Crunchymum · 30/07/2021 17:50

@whattafuckup

I don't think you'd have been let go for not being able to secure hotels at the eleventh hour with very specific requirements.

I think the issue doesn't lie in your initiative per se but the fact you didn't cancel one of the hotels and cost the company money (I'm guessing a fair bit?)

Sorry it didn't work out and I hope you find something that utilises your initiative!

Cloudbaser · 30/07/2021 17:51

I think that is quite a big balls up to be honest. Forgetting you had made a large hotel booking that nobody else knew about so they couldn't have any oversight of and not cancelling it and thus costing the company money, is pretty bad in my book!

LakeShoreD · 30/07/2021 17:55

Yep sorry I think you majorly screwed up by booking hotels you weren’t even asked to book, then forgetting to cancel and costing the company money. Initiative would have been to research some options, send them to management via email if they weren’t in the office and ask if they’d like you to book. Then leave the ball in their court. You over stepped, then you were sloppy and made a costly mistake. I’m a career admin and the cancellation error might have been forgivable but the presumption would have got you the sack anywhere I’ve worked. Sounds like a shit show of a company anyway though so I think ultimately you’ve had a luck escape. Onwards and upwards.

tsmainsqueeze · 30/07/2021 18:06

I think you may have had a lucky escape , they have shown that they may not be nice people to work for .
You are human and you made a mistake .
Their loss , hopefully something better will soon come your way .

daphnedoo12 · 30/07/2021 18:11

You didn't deserve to be fired, keep your head held high OP.

AtillatheHun · 30/07/2021 18:15

How on earth did their systems allow a temp to incur such large costs without sign off internally? They are probably correct to fire you for misusing company funds (you incurred costs without being requested to let alone authorisation) but their processes need looking into. Did you use a company card without permission?

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