Need some cheering up

[Rorick]

I had a job at the local ice cream place, got it about a month ago. I thought all was going well; the last few shifts I've worked (First ones that weren't "Training shifts", and essentially the only ones that I've worked the front) I've been getting better and faster at my job, more confident in my work. Well today they blindsided me by "letting me go" after today's shift, saying that while they liked the way I handled customers and my dedication to my job (I was ALWAYS early and ALWAYS left late), I wasn't "progressing fast enough" in my skills and speed, and it wouldn't be fair to myself or the customers if they kept me on. First I had heard of any problem.

Naturally I'm a little upset about this, and I thought this would be the the best place to see if anyone could cheer me up. So RIA, I've put my faith in you, don't let me down.

[Jenne]

Well, if you suck at making ice cream, Leo can always show you how to make a creampie.

[Rorick]

I didn't suck, for such little time working I though I was decent, I just "wasn't progressing as fast" as they thought I should

As for Leo... I'm not sure I'd touch that with a 30' pole.

[Electric Mango]

Cheer up buddy, sounds like you're really good with people, maybe you should try sales. Big money in sales.

[Mr_Cynic]

I didn't suck, for such little time working I though I was decent, I just "wasn't progressing as fast" as they thought I should

As for Leo... I'm not sure I'd touch that with a 30' pole.

Fortunately, Leo will touch you with a 30' pole.

[Arsenal 10]

Well, in NZ, they can't do that to you since it's illegal. So I would say, take the bastards to court. But I have no idea about it in the States.

[Gangs]

Well, in NZ, they can't do that to you since it's illegal. So I would say, take the bastards to court. But I have no idea about it in the States.

Shi- i was gonna say that... Well actually i was gonna say sue em, and leave it at that.

Oh well,

Rorick,  if you're as dedicated as you seem to be and you're good at economics, why don't you try IM?
Make a nice little interwebz business for yourself.
Ask me or brian if you need direction.

[Jenne]

Well, in NZ, they can't do that to you since it's illegal. So I would say, take the bastards to court. But I have no idea about it in the States.

Most states are "at will" employment, which means unless you have a contract stating specifically otherwise, they can fire you at any time with or without cause.  It also means you can quit at any time. 

Seriously though man, don't worry about it.  I got canned from my first job out of college because I they didnt think I was developing fast enough to be able to run my own programs.  Coincidentally, I have been doing exactly that for the last 6+ years.  Just take it as a learning experience. 

[Gangs]

Well, in NZ, they can't do that to you since it's illegal. So I would say, take the bastards to court. But I have no idea about it in the States.

Most states are "at will" employment, which means unless you have a contract stating specifically otherwise, they can fire you at any time with or without cause.  It also means you can quit at any time. 

Seriously though man, don't worry about it.  I got canned from my first job out of college because I they didnt think I was developing fast enough to be able to run my own programs.  Coincidentally, I have been doing exactly that for the last 6+ years.  Just take it as a learning experience. 

For the last 6+ years you've not been developing fast enough to be able to run your own programs?
...

[Fake from State Jarm]

actually it sounds like a failure of management, if they are talking about a problem they never previously said anything to you about. managers are supposed to address shit like that, especially in the training phase. but that's assuming they're being honest. it's more likely they had to fire someone and since you were the newest guy you were the easiest to get rid of. idk if it makes you feel any better, but from your description it doesn't sound like it's your fault. if they're that shitty as bosses though, maybe you're better off working somewhere else.

[Jenne]

Well, in NZ, they can't do that to you since it's illegal. So I would say, take the bastards to court. But I have no idea about it in the States.

Most states are "at will" employment, which means unless you have a contract stating specifically otherwise, they can fire you at any time with or without cause.  It also means you can quit at any time. 

Seriously though man, don't worry about it.  I got canned from my first job out of college because I they didnt think I was developing fast enough to be able to run my own programs.  Coincidentally, I have been doing exactly that for the last 6+ years.  Just take it as a learning experience. 

For the last 6+ years you've not been developing fast enough to be able to run your own programs?
...

Yep.  I've gotten much better at making people think I am working.

[Rorick]

actually it sounds like a failure of management, if they are talking about a problem they never previously said anything to you about. managers are supposed to address shit like that, especially in the training phase. but that's assuming they're being honest. it's more likely they had to fire someone and since you were the newest guy you were the easiest to get rid of. idk if it makes you feel any better, but from your description it doesn't sound like it's your fault. if they're that shitty as bosses though, maybe you're better off working somewhere else.

That's pretty much the way I took it after some thought. It would have come down to me and/or the other trainee, and I think that I was singled out because I stayed late and came early, working the entire time mind you, so I would have cost them the most money in the end.

[Erwin Schrödinger]

Looks like they needed to fire someone for whatever reason, and you were the lucky guy. Employers of small places don't like firing people, so they make up excuses to do so. It happens.

[Mr Havok]

It's also possible they figured you were real dedicated and well trained by staying late and that you would then move on for money at a national chain.  They keep the lazier guy because he will cost less money, less motivated and more likely to stay for less money

Take the experience and apply it to the next job

[Rorick]

It's also possible they figured you were real dedicated and well trained by staying late and that you would then move on for money at a national chain.  They keep the lazier guy because he will cost less money, less motivated and more likely to stay for less money

Take the experience and apply it to the next job

Kinda hard to take it to a national chain when their franchise is part of a national chain.

[Fake from State Jarm]

make up a fake competing business and distribute fliers all over their shit.

[aithne]

Back in October I got hired to work at a party store. They had a "seasonal" time then for halloween, selling costumes and more than just party supplies. I swear, it really must've been a mistake that they hired me.

Started off, the first week I wasn't even on the schedule. This other guy, Sam, was. My name's Samantha.. and I just wasn't anywhere. There weren't two Sam's, just one.. and clearly not me.
So I got sent to where he was supposed to be, in the balloons section. On a Saturday, the busiest day to work in balloons.. without ever being back there. When my manager got in and discovered the error, she raved about how she was so impressed with me, that I did so well with slight guidance from others and pressure from having to work quickly. Personally, I just thought it was fun.

Pass three weeks and I get sick. Super sick. I was about to fall over sick. So I asked to go home. They had a strict no calling in sick policy, but it didn't say you couldn't go home sick. So I went home and found out I had a fever and was losing my voice and all this shit. Next day I went in to work, I had absolutely no voice left couldn't even whisper. Sigh.
Aside from that, I was never late. Ever. I sometimes was even close to getting in an hour early, but I never clocked in until it was time to.

Seasonal time was almost up, they posted the new schedule and I wasn't on it. They were gonna let me go. Sigh.

Oh, I'm still furious over it. That they were going to let me go, but keep this other chick.. I imagine it's because she was a single black teenage mother. Never mind that half the time she showed up late or was texting..

Only other thing I can see that I did wrong was complain about how one of the leads was treating me. Manager said she'd talk to her about it, the lead never changed... I quit once I found out I wasn't on the schedule. Being treated like shit when they weren't even going to keep me? Fuck that.

[Buck Turgidson]

actually it sounds like a failure of management, if they are talking about a problem they never previously said anything to you about. managers are supposed to address shit like that, especially in the training phase. but that's assuming they're being honest. it's more likely they had to fire someone and since you were the newest guy you were the easiest to get rid of. idk if it makes you feel any better, but from your description it doesn't sound like it's your fault. if they're that shitty as bosses though, maybe you're better off working somewhere else.

I agree, it is a failure of leadership on their part.  But first you have to ask if you bear some responsibility - did you ask for feedback on how you were doing?  It is a critical habit to develop for the expressed purpose of avoiding surprises like this, when you have a new job or a new boss.

I learned that lesson after I got canned from a pizzeria after a month of making lousy pizzas, and not getting any feedback...  Stay ahead of the surprise with a little recon.