Get fired now! 10 ways to make it happen

Employees are fired every day and many don’t have a clear reason why. Obviously there is some level of dissatisfaction by the employer that could be related to performance or any number of other factors. Since most employees are “at will” they can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. Here are some issues to avoid.

“If you want to get fired, repeatedly call in sick on Mondays” says Randy Merrell, Vice President of Operations at Elite Network, a San Francisco-based search firm.  Avoid calling in sick just prior to or after a key organizational event if at all possible. It is seen as suspicious behavior and the work falls on others to follow through with responsibilities that are associated with the event.

A job application is considered a legal document.  Don’t take the chance of losing an opportunity by lying on your job application or resume. It is too easy today to check educational degrees and employment dates. A potential employer may be leery about  hiring you and finding out later what other untruths have been told.

Personal hygiene is important in any role a person has in business. If you interact with clients, or work closely with a team, keeping your appearance professional is crucial including shaving, body-odor, hair, and appropriate clothing. 

Knowing when to stand up for a good idea and when to back down for the good of all involved is important. In business an ego is necessary to get things accomplished, but not at the price of sabotaging the ultimate goal. Single-mindedness and constantly being critical of others is a sure way of getting your walking papers. 

No one likes complainers,  yet there are times when we all need to complain about something. What’s important to know here is that as an employee you need to show good judgment when it comes to the issue of your complaint and timing. In other words, don’t ask for a promotion when the company is in the midst of severely cutting back staff unless you want your name at the top of that cut-back list.

Experts recommend that employees respect the chain of command in an organization, especially if you are the new kid on the block. Get to know the players and clear picture of the circumstances before going over someone’s head or behind their back. It could be career suicide not to respect the lay of the land, not matter what you personally think about the high-ups in the organization.

If you are a parent you may have experienced a time when your child started hanging around the wrong crowd at school, and this caused you concern. No different really in business. Co-workers and peers can be toxic to you and your career. People will assume you associate with like-minded people so don’t set yourself up for failure.

It’s not the mistake you’ve made, it’s the covering up of that mistake that will get you in trouble. Own up to your error and you will be more respected for admitting your mistake, showing your remorse, and learning from that mistake. You’re expendable if you blame others, failed technology, or “time” for the problem.

Don’t  you just hate people that take credit for another’s accomplishments? You may find yourself pointed to the door if you try this in business. Be an upstanding person and give credit to the right people. You may gain more respect from co-workers and management if you do this, no matter what your contribution. 

What are you afraid of? Keeping your head down to do your work is one thing. If you avoid your boss and don’t interact with others,  you may be deemed as someone who doesn’t have ideas or is able to work on a team. This could be just the opposite of the truth, however, you have to let your boss and co-workers know what you are capable of accomplishing and ideas you have to share.