How I lost my job again

Unfortunately, I am unemployed again after being employed for almost 6 months. I still remember the joy I felt when I found a job again after one year of searching. That time, I did not expect that I will be hired immediately. But I never thought it will also end at once and I still wonder why it happened.

Everybody in the office cannot believe the bad news. In fact, it happened so fast that I only realized that it is real when I got home.

With this, I would like to share to you how I lost my job again.

Last February 15, 2010, I was hired as a Manufacturing Supervisor together with a former co-supervisor. We worked in the same company for almost 7 years, so we were excited to work together again. Unexpectedly, both of us lost the job at the same time and the reason is unbelievable.

After more than 5 months of being hired, the Admin Manager together with the HRD Supervisor discussed to me about my probationary status. It was about 3pm and I was busy preparing the products to be shipped-out. I know they need to be completed no matter what happen.

Anyway, the Admin Manager started the conversation by saying sorry that I will lose my job and handed me the termination paper. The first sentence stated that I did not meet the standards required, while the second sentence stated that my probationary employment will be terminated effective August 2, 2010, the day I received the letter.

Although surprised, I try to keep my composure and began thinking how to react. Then I asked them what specific standards I did not meet that caused me to lose the job. According to them, the top management realized that I did not handle the production effectively and they cited a specific condition.

You see, our production line is not a conventional one which means we have no conveyor for the flow of process. But just like others, we have a strict rule of one-by-one process or no batching allowed. Being a Manufacturing Supervisor in my previous job, we have the same rule and I know how important it is to follow this one-by-one process.

However, we experienced unexpected problems such as machine breakdown and lack of manpower. As much as we wanted to, we cannot always follow the rule but we did our best to preserve the quality of the products. There are just things beyond my control and our Manufacturing manager can explain it better.

But what kind of effort I exerted to perform my other tasks? I do not usually count my effort, but I think this time it is necessary to mention them. This is not to cover-up my shortcomings, but to remind them that I know my responsibilities as a Manufacturing Supervisor.

First, my work schedule is 8am~6pm but I know I should come early to check the lines and make a summary report for my manager. I know I cannot make it if I arrive at 7am since he needs it before 8am, which is why I voluntarily come at 6am and sometimes even earlier. I even went on a straight (36 hrs) schedule twice just to make sure that all products will be shipped on time. By the way, we have no overtime pay and I agreed on it before I was hired.

Second, I understand that sometimes we need to extend an hour or more just to finish some reports so I need not to be reminded. I usually go home at 8pm. I even bring home some office work if the target date is very stiff. We also do not have to work on Saturdays and Sundays since we have a compressed schedule, but I usually come on weekends to make reports and monitor the lines.

Third, I conducted an investigation to solve a customer claim issue that lead to the termination of one worker after confirming that he is intentionally not performing his job, skip process that is. In addition, I caught two workers playing games during working hours which lead to their suspension of five days each.

Fourth, I understand that we lack manpower so I did not hesitate to act as a worker for more than a month when they required me to fill-in. This is from 6am to 2pm which means I only act fully as a supervisor 2pm onwards. My co-supervisor had the same experience though and he also understood the necessity of the work.

By the way, I am wondering why the Manufacturing Manager (my immediate superior) and new Plant Manager were not informed about it. Both of them were even surprised upon learning it from us. Therefore, I would like to clarify things. We were not fired. We just did not meet the standards of the top management, whatever that means.

Again, I mentioned them not to lift myself but to remind them that I am very much dedicated to my work. If they did not recognize my selfless effort, so be it. I am not sharing this to attract sympathy. I did not make this post to destroy any name or company.

I am just saying that I did my best but I guess my best was not good enough.

In the end, I know I have to face the painful truth. I lost my job and the more important thing for me now is to look for another employer, as soon as possible.

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