by Greg W Huffman

Created on: July 26, 2010

Do you think you're getting fired?  There are several indicators that will always be present when your neck is laying on the chopping block.  You just have to open your eyes and pay attention for the clues that your job is on the rocks.

Training

When your supervisor is training a new employee to do your job - you're probably getting canned.  This indicator is extremely obvious, but when in denial, it is normally overlooked.  Unless your office has a vacancy for a job identical to yours - this person is being trained to replace you.

Lay-Off

Some bosses fire employees by laying them off and never asking them to return.  This is a direct result of a spineless boss that is non-confrontational.

Cubicle Wars

When your office is moved to a cubicle in the darkest, deepest corner of the office - job loss is inevitable.

Career Advice

When your boss begins to tell you that you could advance your career in another field, he/she is politely telling you that your services are no longer needed.  They want you to bow out before the firing process is initiated.

Bad Evaluations

Normally, bosses want to start a paper trail of discipline on you to avoid equal opportunity litigation.  If they can prove that you were given a million chances to rectify your job performance and you don't - they can fire you with a clean conscience.

Office Chatter

Co-workers will normally find out that you are getting fired before you have a clue that your job is in danger.  There are three types of office communication - telephone, television, and tell the office gossip.  Ask your fellow co-workers if you are close to standing in the unemployment line.

Office Admonishment

This warning sign becomes visible when all your co-workers avoid you as if you had a strain of H1N1.  They see you as a liability and do not want to be seen associating with you. 

Down-sizing

If your company is plagued by corporate downsizing - find out where you stand in the office food chain.  If your position can be replaced by a computer operated robot - start reading the job listings in your local newspaper.

Advancement With Prejudice

If your boss promotes you to a job classification that you both know is out of your skill range - he/she is setting you up for failure.  They couldn't fire you in your current job position, so they promote you to a management position that is not covered by union representation.  I have seen this happen more than once.

Follow Your Gut

Finally, the best advice I can give you is to go with what you know.  If it looks like you're getting fired and it smells like you're getting fired - you are probably getting fired.

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