Just got fired - never been fired before...

[whattafuckup]

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?

Harsh but understandable, that sounds like a costly error. I'm glad your family is supportive, that's really important.

Do you really mean that you've been working for free for four years? How has that happened?

Sorry OP, I’ve been there. Showed me that I definitely wasn’t cut out for a life in sales!

I’m really confused though as to why you took it on yourself to book accommodation when you weren’t asked to? What’s your role and why do you think this fell to you? Did you tell anybody? Did you use a company card to pay the deposit?

It sounds like it has cost the company quite a bit.

If it makes you feel better OP, I got fired from doing voluntary work once via a formal letter.

I felt very humiliated and it still stings a bit if I think about it too hard. I sulked for a few days and then decided it was their loss.

Tbh OP, it sounds like a crap company anyway with the shitty training for new starters, I'm sure you will find something much better!

We all make mistakes, including the manager who fired you. Don't let it get you down or make you feel inadequate, find another job and start over.

I got sacked from a big investment bank after my masters too

I’d landed a plum job bit there were some admin aspect and o had to book lunch

I booked the restaurant

I forgot which one it was

I had to call every Thai restaurant in the city to track down the reservation

That bit I got away with

Similar fuck ups followed including getting staggeringly drunk at a lunchtime drinks (because they just didn’t bring food)

I was gone within the month 😩

Thanks everyone - I did copy in the manager while his manager was away, but as I said before, he wasn't officially in post yet. The other manager to ask doesn't deal with the day-to-day movements, so had previously said to only include him on the types of decisions he would be involved with - and no money or cards had been used, as it was reservations only. I was anxious that a group booking of that size in a hotel within distance of where they needed to be (not in a city) was going to be impossible the later we left it, but it was undoubtedly a mistake to make the reservation and then forget about it, even with everything else going on. And those of you who've said I was overstepping the mark, you're probably right - but I had passed it with my manager that it was ok to book things that were cancellable, but obviously as one had slipped through the net...
Anyway, what's done is done - they wouldn't accept my offer to pay for my mistake (considering it being more than a week's wages for me), and that's that. It's done - and yes, time to move on. Thanks for all your comments and advice though - I won't be so quick to take the initiative on myself if it happens again.

I'm assuming you didn't take a masters in booking hotel rooms. How was your work that you actually trained for? If they had no complaints with that I would hold my head up and find another position but in future be a bit more organised.

One thing to bear in mind in future is exactly how "essential" those booking requirements were.

(obviously they might be, but not knowing the details it is possible that they weren't as essential as you thought - hence no one being concerned about booking in advance)

Everybody either has come near to being sacked, left before they were sacked or where sacked
Join the club

What job was it you were actually there to do?

Maybe harsh, but I also probably would have let you go for this. It’s not on to spend company money without authorisation, and when you haven’t been asked to do this. Initiative would have been suggesting it and asking someone if they wanted you to do it. To then not even cancel it just adds to the issue. I think this all shows quite poor judgement and someone with no experience of practical work post university.

The thing is, when you hire agency temps it’s generally when you’re short staffed and just need an extra pair of hands. If someone comes in who needs lots of support or makes mistakes that you then have to rectify, it’s just not worth the hassle.

I have been in your shoes OP, I do get it, temp work is hard. Just put it behind you and look for something more stable in a permanent role where they’re able to invest in developing you.