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I think I'm about to get fired (1 Viewer)

ren hoek

ren hoek

Footballguy
update: https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/topic/750444-i-think-im-about-to-get-fired/?do=findComment&comment=19684455

A little bit of backstory.  Maybe a lot bit of backstory.  I started up as a tech at an optometric eyecare center back around November of 2014.  It's a huge corporate retail chain and I run the contact lens department and oversee a lot of the patientcare / doctor's side of the office (as opposed to the retail side).  When I took over the contact lens stuff about a year ago they were still handwriting patient orders (the Rx, reference #, supply quantity, trials, date, initials, etc.) and doing everything over the phone with the vendor.  Since then I've made everything digital using the vendor's online clients and they've had me training other stores in our market on the new system.  Basically I registered our accounts online for a website and pushed buttons.  Not a big deal or nothing, just these people aren't computer wizards and want to give you some background.

I came in to work today after having been off about 10 days and one of the techs told me that they want me to train her on how to setup the ordering system for other offices.  Then the GM asked me to take a phone call in her office.  Turns out it was Loss Prevention.  He goes on a 4-5 minute spiel basically explaining what loss prevention is and how he's on some sort of investigation and then mentions a patient's name that I rang up for glasses a couple weeks ago.  She was an old manager from when I worked at Grainger like 10 years ago.  She'd lost her glasses on vacation so naturally I wanted to help her out and get her a reasonably good deal.  We usually have like a 50% discount from time to time, but the manager wasn't cool about it so we just did a 40% discount with an online promotion.  Apparently the problem was that I somehow managed to ring up the frame with only one lens on the work order, but she was still billed the proper amount as if she paid for two.  The impression they seem to be getting is that I was trying to hook her up with some free #### or something, but she paid $269.73 for a pair of readers like she would have had I billed it right in the first place, so I don't really follow the so-called loss this guy is preventing.

The second part he brought up was that I had used our patient medical record client's chat program to send messages to other employees.  He mentioned something about how this can violate HIPPA somehow.  The Crystal program that we use was recently updated to integrate a chat/email client.  Basically my friend was coming in to work the next day when I was off and so I left a message on there asking him if he'd checked out The Killing yet and what he thought.  Maybe a little unprofessional but I thought it was fairly innocuous.  Certainly not termination worthy or whatever.  In any case I wrote up an explanation for both events, signed, dated and faxed it to him.

I'd interviewed a couple months ago at an ophthalmic clinic about a tech position there that would have paid more, worked closer to home and kept normal hours.  The Sunday before that interview I'd talked to the director of operations for our doctors in passing about how I was looking for something with a little higher ceiling.  He'd mentioned how they always are supportive and understanding of people that are looking to move upward in their career.  When I told the interviewer that it was completely above board to hire me (they depend on referrals from my employer, along with other optometry places), I honestly thought everything was cool.  The interview went real well but apparently she hadn't been given permission by the administrator to hire another tech and that was the end of it.  Apparently the administrator is a former GM from the company I'm with now, and word got back to my GM that I'd been looking for other work.  Great.  She asked the doctor about it and he admitted that he'd written a letter of recommendation for me.  

I sat down and talked to her about whether I need to start looking for other work and that's when she mentioned she knew I'd applied elsewhere, but assured me that she didn't take it personally.  The picture she painted is that whatever punishment is decided on is a matter between the Territory Director and the LP guy and she honestly hadn't heard anything.  I don't really trust her.  It certainly wouldn't be the first time a GM has lied to my face (it'd be the third).  She did mention that if I do find something else, that I please give her two weeks notice, which I took as a tell that maybe it's not over for me.  For what it's worth, I think it'll end up being a write-up if anything, but I'm trying to brace myself for the worst.

It's been an ongoing saga at this place and it seems pretty obvious that someone with pull wants to get rid of me.  I love optometry and think it's an awesome line of work.  Like our patients, doctors, the staff.  My goal ultimately is to get my optical license and sell glasses and contacts on the internet.  Or faliing that, at least work for myself in some capacity.  I'm registered for the ABO and NCLE exams in November and I can get my license if I pass those, spend two years as an apprentice and then pass a state-administered practical exam.  

I feel pretty depressed about everything and don't know what to do.  It seems like I've hit a brick wall and these neurotic people are the gatekeepers to a better life.  Any pro tips from the FBG millionaires?  Words of wisdom from the big guys?  Advice for an idiot that burned every bridge he ever crossed?  Thanks

 
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In any case start spreading that updated cv about a bit. 

Working for a GM that lies is not a great way to spend a large part of your waking hours

 
If they are digging into your communications with other employees and investigating you, they probably already wanted to get rid of you and are looking for a documented reason to do so. JMHO. You talk about burning every bridge you've ever crossed... are you sure there is not more to this story? You've been a stellar employee, but now they are investigating you for asking a coworker about a Netflix show over the company IM service and accidentally coding a sale incorrectly? That doesn't sound realistic.

 
TheMagus said:
If they are digging into your communications with other employees and investigating you, they probably already wanted to get rid of you and are looking for a documented reason to do so. JMHO. You talk about burning every bridge you've ever crossed... are you sure there is not more to this story? You've been a stellar employee, but now they are investigating you for asking a coworker about a Netflix show over the company IM service and accidentally coding a sale incorrectly? That doesn't sound realistic.
Click to expand...
There's a lot of different factors that would be hard to cover, but this is my 4th GM since I started.  When the TD was transferring 3 different GMs to 3 different stores, I lost a guy that I got along real well with that enabled me to do stuff (like sell glasses etc), and he was replaced with her.  We'll call him George, and her Jan.  She's basically an extension of the corporate squidpeople, falling in line with whatever they tell her to do.  My real beef is how out of touch with reality corporate is with the store level.  

For example, if a patient calls in wanting to schedule an appointment, the new policy is to 'just say yes,' like don't even look at the schedule.  If they want a 9:30, they get a 9:30.  Doesn't matter if there's 10 people scheduled for 9:30 for one optometrist, we deal with the fallout later.  Obviously I think this is abhorrent, but this is one example of how their goal is to extract every last possible cent from people.  

So when we lost George I had called over to Jan's store trying to get a hold of a former employee of ours who had transferred there.  Just to get a grip of his thoughts on her and what to expect.  Now at the time, I knew (because George had told us) that he was transferring to a different store and we were getting Jan, so I wanted to get an idea of what they thought of her.  My buddy wasn't there so I talked to some random associate and made the mistake of trusting her to keep quiet about the whole thing.  The associate said she was devastated to hear the news and that she would miss her.  After everything I found out talking to Jan that the same employee basically marched up to her real emotional like and said 'is there something you want to tell us?'  They didn't know yet.  And that was the first time Jan ever heard my name.  

Since then I've asked for a raise (on account of me traveling and training other offices) and was turned down.  Not a big one, not even in line with what the 3rd Keys make, just 37 cents to round up to the next dollar.  The person who's technically in charge of the doctor's side of operations is the OD coordinator, an imaginary role created by the TD that is more or less bureaucratically important tech.  He brings his gun and weed to work and has gotten into a couple motorcycle accidents the past 8 months or so.  Never the less, he's technically my boss on paper and I thought better of worrying about my own than ruining his life for being a moron.  We get along ok and have been reasonably good company for each other the past couple years through all the turmoil.  We don't relate on much but we do relate on that.  

I probably could have handled a lot of situations better, but I certainly haven't endeared myself to the reigning leadership.  Dress code calls for red/black/white colors and I was told to stop wearing a charcoal black shirt, but I wore it anyway on days she was off because I have two shirts and don't want to wear white everyday.  She did bring that up in the meeting.  One day Jan was telling me about how the regional vice president was going to different branches and "cracking down" on the top-button on our dress shirts not being buttoned and how unprofessional it looks.  It's just micromanagement really.

I like most people on a personal level but some of them are pretty brutal to work with, or are just very petty about really inane stuff.  I think I'm guilty of coming across like the smartest guy in the room or something but I genuinely just want what's best for patients and staff.  Sometimes I think people  would just as soon play the political game than actually work a day in their life.  You could certainly make it a lot further here being friends with the right person than actually taking ownership and conviction in your work.  

 
As soon as they said the guy was from loss prevention you should have flipped it on them.  "Am I being accused of stealing".  Never be on the defensive side.   If you are a minority, this would work spectacularly, but if your not, then you can just act gey.  Worse case scenario you can let them know your having an alcohol problem, and need to take a few days to check into a rehab.  If it's a big company, your getting a paid vacation.  Then if they fire you when you get back, you can sue them!

/Thread

 
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It sounds like your higher-ups want somebody who is compliant and will just follow the rules.  You want the autonomy to do your own thing.  This is a mismatch that doesn't end well for you.  

That's just my observation based on what you told us, not a criticism.  I would chafe at stuff you described too.

 
For example, if a patient calls in wanting to schedule an appointment, the new policy is to 'just say yes,' like don't even look at the schedule.  If they want a 9:30, they get a 9:30.  Doesn't matter if there's 10 people scheduled for 9:30 for one optometrist, we deal with the fallout later.  Obviously I think this is abhorrent, but this is one example of how their goal is to extract every last possible cent from people.  
Click to expand...
Sounds like my experience.  So glad I got Lasik.

 
I don't know anything about optometrist business, but I have over a decade of Loss Prevention experience and currently work in fraud. I'm WZ certified in interview/interrogation techniques. To answer your question about getting fired, probably not. Years ago, if LP interviewed you termination was nearly guaranteed. More recently, LP teams have moved away from interrogations, to more of a "soft interview" technique. Odds are the transaction you performed showed up on an exception report that LP monitors. They probably checked your other transactions over the past 6 months and found little else. Keep in mind that most Loss Prevention people don't determine whether or not someone gets fired. That decision falls to the HR department. We just conduct the investigation/interviews and turn the facts over HR partners for final decision. In the past year, we've conducted interviews on roughly 300 people. Half were terminated by HR for intentional actions that caused a loss to the company. The rest received some type of corrective action and continued to work for the company. 

 
As a long time manager with a huge retail chain, I will say that at least half the  people we terminate that had a LP investigation is because they lied. Most stuff like it sounds like you did, wasn't outright theft, it's all about if your ethical and admit the situation or do you try to cover it up?

 
Tell them you fell discriminated against because the GM doesn't like you and that you will have your attorney contact them. 

You will likely get a promotion.

 
Did not read the entire thing, but it sure sounds like you on the way out.

Don't mope, don't be scared, don't hibernate.  

Be proactive, go full bore getting a new gig, it's easier to find a job when you have one, this is one of life's eternal truths.  

Also be proactive about trying to save your job, even if it's to delay until you find a new gig.  Whatever you think will work, asking for a meeting with a GM, to clear the air and apologize, blame some personal problem, yada yada yada.  I'm not offering specific ideas, you know what would be most helpful.  You don't need to mean it brother, you need them to think you are a new man.  Hey, if you mean it as well, great.

But don't let this happen to you.  Control as much of it as you can.  If you are going to lose your job, make sure you did everything to save it, or make sure you are doing everthing you can to replace it.  Better yet, both.  

Quit posting novels on a message board about the dumb #### you did (Shirt color, sir?  Shirt color?)

Go kick some ###.  

 
there is no way I am reading those posts, tl;dr; however, I agree with 1 shtick post and 1 mediocre post attemped at advise.

:hot:

 
KCitons said:
I don't know anything about optometrist business, but I have over a decade of Loss Prevention experience and currently work in fraud. I'm WZ certified in interview/interrogation techniques. To answer your question about getting fired, probably not. Years ago, if LP interviewed you termination was nearly guaranteed. More recently, LP teams have moved away from interrogations, to more of a "soft interview" technique. Odds are the transaction you performed showed up on an exception report that LP monitors. They probably checked your other transactions over the past 6 months and found little else. Keep in mind that most Loss Prevention people don't determine whether or not someone gets fired. That decision falls to the HR department. We just conduct the investigation/interviews and turn the facts over HR partners for final decision. In the past year, we've conducted interviews on roughly 300 people. Half were terminated by HR for intentional actions that caused a loss to the company. The rest received some type of corrective action and continued to work for the company. 
Click to expand...
I do loss prevention and the HR role for my co. too. I agree that what he did doesn't deserve firing. There was no intent. If it was me it would be a note in his file. 

Now having said that, I'm more concerned about a professional office that just hands out appointments without checking the schedule. That amongst the rest, especially a revolving door of managers, makes me question whether it's a good place to be long-term. If you're trying to strengthen your resume more (even beyond the new digital system and training other offices) with certifications like you said or other things worth sticking around for, then stay for a bit. But otherwise I'd say try to hook on with a better provider.

 
Go ahead and get out.  it seems you don't really match that company well.  

Also steal everything and go ballistic on somebody on your way out.  always feels great

 
Thanks for the advice and piping hot takes.  After everything I think it'll just be a writeup if it's anything at all.  I think I'd get over being fired pretty quick.  Maybe even get a better job.  

 
Bit of an update here.  I'm still employed there and things are in good standing.  

The whole thing blew over without any mention whatsoever.  I've since passed the ABO and NCLE (11/18 and 11/21) and am looking to get hired on as an apprentice optician somewhere.  I've interviewed at 3 places this past week, no offers/declines yet, but is there a way to play it where I can weigh all three options?  I figure the most time you can typically ask for to make a decision is one day but I'd like to be able to give it a week or so and see who comes up with the best offer.  

I'd rather be candid about it with each potential employer rather than accepting one thing and then flaking out on it for something better.  Is there a good way to go about this?  

 
Ren Ho3k said:
I'd rather be candid about it with each potential employer rather than accepting one thing and then flaking out on it for something better.  Is there a good way to go about this?  
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Rank the three jobs in terms of which you would want most, if all other things are equal (i.e. compensation, benefits, etc.). 

Assuming you get an offer from one, you then go to the others and simply explain that you have one offer and tell them that you just want to know where their process stands before you make a decision on it. If they want you at all this will spur them to make a decision ASAP. If you get multiple offers, you will be able to compare pay and benefits. If you are adventurous, you can use one offer as negotiating leverage to try and make the other offer better.

 
Mr. Pickles said:
I feel like things have come into focus, but the initial optics of this situation didn't appear too promising. 
Click to expand...
Yeah I was skeptical too but, like the Eagles' D somehow ranked first in DVOA, it really doesn't pass the "eye test."

 
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