Atlanta
Writers Group
Feature Article - December 2006
Career Decisions That May Cost You the
Corner Office
By Isha Edwards
Among Fortune 500 CEOs and entry-level employees, Donald Trump’s
“You’re Fired” mantra has become more than a catchy phrase. Gone are the days
when employees sought to remain with a company until retirement. Today’s
technically charged-fast paced-global market fuels competition for competent
employees who only maintain three to five-year shelf lives. Ideally, finding a
good career that provides stability is preferred for most people. However,
committing to a company for decades at a time comes with a price. Long work
hours that outweigh pay and recognition are usually what cause people to
deviate from the standards that got them hired. Rather than list the obvious,
outlined below are career decisions that lead to being fired.
1. Limited academic background
2. Acquisitions and Mergers
3. Attitude
4. Conflicts of interest
5. Failure to comply
6. Improper use of technology, company
property/supplies
7. Inconsistency
8. Lack of Integrity
9. Quality of work
10. Value to Expense ratio
Are you a life-long
learner?
Having an MBA or advanced degree is now preferred to an undergraduate
degree. Employees who do not proactively continue their education or develop
new skill sets are more inclined to atrophy on the job. Knowledge is not power
unless you know what to do with it. If you fail to increase your knowledge
base, you’ll succeed at getting fired.
All for One
Although downsizing still occurs, acquisitions and mergers is the
latest trend to result in layoffs and firings. Retail, financial services, and
healthcare/pharmaceutical companies are the likely candidates. Out of all the
reasons for being fired, an acquisition or merger is least humiliating because
blame shifts from an employee’s performance to an employer’s preference.
Does your attitude
stink?
It is not
uncommon for an employer to fire an exceptionally talented employee to retain
one who is mildly talented and has a positive attitude. Attitude determines
more than altitude, it determines how far people are willing to defend and work
with you in the face of opposition.
Mind your Business
Conflicts of
interest that publicly disgrace a company, unnerve shareholders, diminish brand
value or result in litigation are grounds for termination. If a night or second
job, an explicit social life, or inappropriate relationships are a hindrance
you become a risk that few companies are willing to take.
Who’s the Boss?
Been insubordinate lately? Do you fail to follow-through or
disregard procedures often? Working with an uncooperative employee is
frustrating and time-consuming. Coupled with a bad attitude, being insubordinate
will ensure pink slip distribution or an escorted walk out the front door.
Minor Technicalities
Facebook, MySpace, and Weblogs are not just creative ways to stay in touch, meet
new friends, or provide helpful information. Along with Google, current and
prospective employers use web portals to cross reference employees and
prospects. Many companies also monitor desk and laptop usage of e-mails and web
searches. Companies more apt to do frequent checks of website activity, include
those with trade secrets to protect. If
you lack discretion in your World Wide Web interactions and use of company
property, it is likely that you will also lack discretion in other areas that
could be a detriment to your company. Personal, illegal or X-rated web activity
is grounds for termination as is for example, using office equipment/supplies
at home.
Can I Lean on You?
Every employer wants and needs a reliable employee who does not
have to be told what to do; is available, and likely to follow through. Taking
time to correct often or double-check work is costly. So is having “the ball”
dropped at a critical moment.
Swear to Tell the
Truth
Are you a person of your word? Are you accountable to the
commitments you make and miss? Do you safeguard confidential or sensitive information?
Your integrity defines your reputation. Lack of integrity now carries a hefty
fine and jail time--CEO’s are not excluded.
What is Your Standard?
Like integrity, work quality is a reflection of you. Not only can
you be fired for poor work quality, you can also find it hard to secure a job.
In some cases, work quality correlates directly with academic background. When
work quality lacks production is decreased. Employers would prefer to fire you
than lose time and money.
High Net Worth
Value to expense ratio relates to how much value an employer
realizes relative to the expenses incurred e.g. salary, benefits, bonuses,
commission, etc. If your tenure is long and your value is low, you are likely
to be among the first to go.
To avoid being fired, become familiar with company policies. If
you believe an action is questionable, talk with your supervisor, an equal
employment opportunity officer or human resource representative. If you feel
your position will be jeopardized, make an anonymous query and/or follow the
appropriate chain of command. Maintain a paper trial of accolades as well as
reprimands. Documentation should support your position. If you are a model
employee with a clean record and you still get fired, do not dismay.
For many, being fired is a
good thing. Some examples? Twanda
Joseph is a former Arthur Andersen employee. Joseph’s career took a drastic
turn when the firm was indicted for its involvement in the Enron accounting
scandal. Today, Joseph is an author, speaker, trainer, talk show host, and
president of WiseEffects. Despite putting in
considerable time and hard work that yielded $155 million in revenue, Arthur
Blank and Bernie Marcus were both fired from their jobs at Handy Dan. Today,
the founders of Home Depot rank on Forbes’ list of billionaires.
Isha Edwards is a freelance writer
who resides in