Oct 31, 2010 9:10 PM GMT
Thank you guys for reading and commenting on this in advance. This seems to be a good place to post things and I value everyone's feedback...
I was just "released" from my part-time position as a Sales Consultant at my retail big-box department store this morning. (AKA- I was involuntarily terminated) I was let go due to being late to work several times in the month of July of 2010.
I have not been warned or given any violations for attendance since July 11, 2010. However, I was just told at the end of October that I was terminated. First off, I am the top performing associate in my department. I have always exceeded and met my sales goals. Plus I was awarded in the month of July (how ironic) for achieving high sales for the year by regional and district management. (I was the only one in my department of 10 employees that received an award!)
This was a sad morning for me and I know when my manager called me in the office today, she was crying because she didn't want to let me go. She said she was fighting to keep me on for a while now along with other managers in the store. She says everything is coming from corporate since they handle all the time-keeping for the stores. Corporate sent her multiple emails stating that I needed to be released.
In July, I received a final warning, but our company has a "3 times in a month policy" so I am confused because I haven't been late 3 times in a month since July.
My question is this: As an employee seeking new part time employment, should I tell the employer I am interviewing with the exact reason for getting fired? My manager says that they will never disclose anything to employers requesting information except for positions held and dates of employment.
Another thing that really bothers me is getting let go for something petty as being late. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATE TO WORK EVER! Each lateness is like 7, 8 or at most 13 minutes late. I am a good employee. I loved the company I worked for but I have a lot going on, (work, school, other job, family, parents divorce) which is why I was minutes late to work. ALSO I HAVE NEVER CALLED OUT TO WORK!
Also all the employees and managers in the store would say I am pleasant and a fun person to be around. I had high levels of store engagement and organizational commitment. I want to know if you were hiring me, would my attendance (which is still debatable) put me in the "do not hire pool"?
I'm not saying that It is okay to be late to work. I am saying that I think my high sales performance, and great personal characteristics should have more weight than being a few minutes late. Not to mention I stay late every shift I work!
I am in graduate school...and studying organizational development and management (i know i should be embarrassed and ashamed)...I just don't want to cancel out retail as a potential career....with this recession, who knows...retail management may be my only option upon my graduation this upcoming spring.
I was just "released" from my part-time position as a Sales Consultant at my retail big-box department store this morning. (AKA- I was involuntarily terminated) I was let go due to being late to work several times in the month of July of 2010.
I have not been warned or given any violations for attendance since July 11, 2010. However, I was just told at the end of October that I was terminated. First off, I am the top performing associate in my department. I have always exceeded and met my sales goals. Plus I was awarded in the month of July (how ironic) for achieving high sales for the year by regional and district management. (I was the only one in my department of 10 employees that received an award!)
This was a sad morning for me and I know when my manager called me in the office today, she was crying because she didn't want to let me go. She said she was fighting to keep me on for a while now along with other managers in the store. She says everything is coming from corporate since they handle all the time-keeping for the stores. Corporate sent her multiple emails stating that I needed to be released.
In July, I received a final warning, but our company has a "3 times in a month policy" so I am confused because I haven't been late 3 times in a month since July.
My question is this: As an employee seeking new part time employment, should I tell the employer I am interviewing with the exact reason for getting fired? My manager says that they will never disclose anything to employers requesting information except for positions held and dates of employment.
Another thing that really bothers me is getting let go for something petty as being late. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATE TO WORK EVER! Each lateness is like 7, 8 or at most 13 minutes late. I am a good employee. I loved the company I worked for but I have a lot going on, (work, school, other job, family, parents divorce) which is why I was minutes late to work. ALSO I HAVE NEVER CALLED OUT TO WORK!
Also all the employees and managers in the store would say I am pleasant and a fun person to be around. I had high levels of store engagement and organizational commitment. I want to know if you were hiring me, would my attendance (which is still debatable) put me in the "do not hire pool"?
I'm not saying that It is okay to be late to work. I am saying that I think my high sales performance, and great personal characteristics should have more weight than being a few minutes late. Not to mention I stay late every shift I work!
I am in graduate school...and studying organizational development and management (i know i should be embarrassed and ashamed)...I just don't want to cancel out retail as a potential career....with this recession, who knows...retail management may be my only option upon my graduation this upcoming spring.