Comments by "Ginny Jolly" (@ginnyjollykidd) on "Branigan Robertson" channel.

  1. I have been written up at work. The writeup involved the mistaken testing of two persons' blood samples; I pulled the wrong numbered sample for the wrong test. The writeup was very businesslike, and I responded in a businesslike fashion. I took the instruction graciously, and I did understand that was not the time or place to protest. The writeup, though succinct, did not have any followup to do except to be more vigilant when I pick out the samples. I did send computer messages to him and marked them such that I would be sent a notice that they had been read. And I printed them out. I requested review training, and I asked for training I had been previously promised for my edification. I got no responses, and I printed out that they had gotten read. Then I was given busy work that had nothing to do with the lab testing that was my job. Then I was called in by my supervisor, and his supervisor, and another supervisor. I can't remember the wording of it, but they dropped a file folder on the table and said that's why they were firing me. I didn't look at the contents of the folder or even pick it up. I was devastated and horrified, and I knew if I picked it up I would cry horribly over it, and I was barely hanging on with my game face. I asked them calmly what it was, was it more samples I missed? No. What then? I did not receive any more explanation, and I didn't ask. They gave the suggestion, "Go get a job at a gas station and find out what's wrong" with myself. They fired me and denied me unemployment. I got a hearing at the unemployment office appealing my denial. I was scared shitless. I kept my game face and I brought my pile of printouts. I expected the company would send their meanest exec to "shout me down" and cause my denial to stick. I met with the arbitrator calmly and businesslike. We waited till appointment time and possibly a little after. Then he turned on his recording machine and dictated the hearing, the date, time, parties, the arbitrator, and the presence of each party. He dictated I was there, and when he said the company party was not there, it seemed to me he put quite a bit of emphasis on it. After his preamble, he had me give my side of the story. I told it, explained what it was and what I did afterwards. I gave over my pile of printouts, and I pointed out the salient messages and that they had been read but ignored. He concluded his recording with a few more notes, and we shook hands at the end. A short time later, I was awarded unemployment. This is one possible reason why you do not want to quit or ask for severance pay: it could screw you up for unemployment that they would be fined for. In retrospect, when I looked at the situation from what I knew then and what was brought up at the time, I did right. They did not, and they acted this way as a matter of course. I had seen a number of good people come and go from that place with no explanation, and I have my suspicions. I learned a few things. 1. You could be doing the best job anyone could do and still get fired. 2. Just because they fire you doesn't mean you particularly are in the wrong. 3. Arbitrators at the Unemployment Office who conduct hearings aren't monsters, and parties necessarily must be cordial to each other. 4. Keep a paper trail. Any messages sent, keep hard copies. Send messages in such a way you get a message back that says it's been read. E-mail has that ability to get a read receipt. 5. By the same token, keep a journal of what happens at work. I would include what I have done, good and bad, and what they did. 6. Always apply for unemployment. You don't get if you don't apply.
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