Am I about to be Fired?

[The Next Big Star]

I started as a temporary employee at the company I work at, filling in for a woman on maternity leave. After a month and a half of filling in for her, I was offered a permanent position that had opened up in the department due to someone leaving for another department. To be honest, I have loved it, but, knowing myself and being bluntly honest with myself, the job and the duties have proven to become quite overwhelming and there have been some minor mistakes made here and there. My supervisor and my trainer have both offered lots of help and encouragement, but my guilty conscience has still had me wondering about my job performance. I haven't been formally sat down and addressed regarding my performance, however, today, I happened to go to our company's website since I have been keeping my eyes open for a position in my department for a friend who works in another office in town with our company.

While searching today, I came across a posting for a Summer Internship for the same team in my department and same exact job description. Now, I know that there could be more to it or I could be reading into it, but seeing that Summer Internship position, I am now EXTREMLY suspicious about that posting, since I don't see where we have an opening for anyone on our team.

Am I probably just freaking out for no reason or is there certainly cause for concern, based on what I have described?

 

[Saint Peter]

You do not sound like the next big star.

 

[islandman]

Yours is a paid position.

An internship is either stipend or credit-based.

Unless you're making $10/hour for 20/hr/week?

 

[The Next Big Star]

Yes, mine is a paid position, because because it's quite a high-paying position, if there is indeed doubt in the company's mind as to whether it was the right choice to bring me on permanently, wouldn't putting up a posting for a Summer Internship right now cover their butts and give them until my 90-day review (which is around the beginning of May) to see if I turn things around, and then if I haven't, they won't lose any production, because they can go to a group of 2 or 3 "replacements" in the form of interns, that they have standing by?

 

[JohnnySavage]

I started as a temporary employee at the company I work at, filling in for a woman on maternity leave. After a month and a half of filling in for her, I was offered a permanent position that had opened up in the department due to someone leaving for another department. To be honest, I have loved it, but, knowing myself and being bluntly honest with myself, the job and the duties have proven to become quite overwhelming and there have been some minor mistakes made here and there. My supervisor and my trainer have both offered lots of help and encouragement, but my guilty conscience has still had me wondering about my job performance. I haven't been formally sat down and addressed regarding my performance, however, today, I happened to go to our company's website since I have been keeping my eyes open for a position in my department for a friend who works in another office in town with our company.

While searching today, I came across a posting for a Summer Internship for the same team in my department and same exact job description. Now, I know that there could be more to it or I could be reading into it, but seeing that Summer Internship position, I am now EXTREMLY suspicious about that posting, since I don't see where we have an opening for anyone on our team.

Am I probably just freaking out for no reason or is there certainly cause for concern, based on what I have described?

Yes, mine is a paid position, because because it's quite a high-paying position, if there is indeed doubt in the company's mind as to whether it was the right choice to bring me on permanently, wouldn't putting up a posting for a Summer Internship right now cover their butts and give them until my 90-day review (which is around the beginning of May) to see if I turn things around, and then if I haven't, they won't lose any production, because they can go to a group of 2 or 3 "replacements" in the form of interns, that they have standing by?

If they can replace your "quite high paying position" with a summer intern, I'd say you need to find some marketable skills.

 

[islandman]

Yes, mine is a paid position, because because it's quite a high-paying position, if there is indeed doubt in the company's mind as to whether it was the right choice to bring me on permanently, wouldn't putting up a posting for a Summer Internship right now cover their butts and give them until my 90-day review (which is around the beginning of May) to see if I turn things around, and then if I haven't, they won't lose any production, because they can go to a group of 2 or 3 "replacements" in the form of interns, that they have standing by?

The thing about interns is......at some point they go back to school.

So, if your company was seeking interns currently in the final year......then you might be up shit's creek.

In summary, welcome to the workforce. Shape up or ship out!

 

[The Next Big Star]

So, it sounds like all signs are pointing to the thought that it might not be a bad idea to start getting my resume touched up really quickly here in the next few days here, huh?

 

[islandman]

CVs should be updated every six months regardless of whether you're planning on leaving or not.

 

[The Next Big Star]

So, if your company was seeking interns currently in the final year......then you might be up shit's creek.

In that case, got an oar I can borrow? Because straight from the posting:

"At least 60 credit hours earned by May 2015....Must have at least one semester or more left of school to complete at the beginning of the internship (a senior who has already graduated will not be considered for an internship)"

 

[islandman]

Reads as though you've got a minimum four months to prove yourself.

Good luck.

 

[LadyFunkenstein]

I don't understand why you feel threatened by an incoming intern. Am I missing something?

 

[The Next Big Star]

I don't understand why you feel threatened by an incoming intern. Am I missing something?

Ummm...apparently the entire story. What in my story would not leave you worried if you were in my shoes right now?

 

[The Next Big Star]

Reads as though you've got a minimum four months to prove yourself.

Good luck.

In all honesty....(gulp) seriously?

 

[parodyluvr75]

Some places make a practice of short term for some positions so they don't have to pay benefits. They dangle the carrot of potential permanent, but you were designated for the door. Good luck.

 

[Miles Long]

Schedule a meeting with your manager to get feedback. Tell him or her you want to do the best job possible and it would be helpful for you to go over what you're doing well, what you can improve on (and suggestions for how to do so), and if needed to clarify any goals and objectives the company has for you in this role. Any company that doesn't gladly have that conversation with you isn't a place you want to work.

 

[The Next Big Star]

Yours is a paid position.

An internship is either stipend or credit-based.

Unless you're making $10/hour for 20/hr/week?

Upon further review, the posting does state that the internship is paid.

 

[The Next Big Star]

Some places make a practice of short term for some positions so they don't have to pay benefits. They dangle the carrot of potential permanent, but you were designated for the door. Good luck.

Ok, you apparently missed some things in my post. I started out as a temp, but then got hired in permanently, full-time (effective February 1) in November. And I already went through my benefits enrollment.

 

[parodyluvr75]

Ok, you apparently missed some things in my post. I started out as a temp, but then got hired in permanently, full-time (effective February 1) in November. And I already went through my benefits enrollment.

I did miss that, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[The Next Big Star]

Schedule a meeting with your manager to get feedback. Tell him or her you want to do the best job possible and it would be helpful for you to go over what you're doing well, what you can improve on (and suggestions for how to do so), and if needed to clarify any goals and objectives the company has for you in this role. Any company that doesn't gladly have that conversation with you isn't a place you want to work.

This is, by far, the most optimistic scenario...however...by doing so, won't I be just confirming to my boss that I'm clearly shaking in my boots, waiting for the hammer to drop? And if not, assuming that is my exact "spot" in that job posting, isn't it too late anyway for me to have any chance of saving/keeping my job? If that is indeed my job, then clearly, I'm toast anytime between morning and June/July.

 

[doowdniw]

If you are in the cross-hairs, I think HR or your supervisor would have met with you to discuss your deficiencies and paper their file, getting their ducks in a row. Maybe the HR department needs to be reassessed, too.

 

[Miles Long]

This is, by far, the most optimistic scenario...however...by doing so, won't I be just confirming to my boss that I'm clearly shaking in my boots, waiting for the hammer to drop? And if not, assuming that is my exact "spot" in that job posting, isn't it too late anyway for me to have any chance of saving/keeping my job? If that is indeed my job, then clearly, I'm toast anytime between morning and June/July.

If you're a full time employee enrolled in benefits, then firing you is likely going to be more costly to the company than helping you succeed at your job.

If you're really that concerned about getting replaced by an intern, look for open roles at your company that you could transfer to, and initiate the conversation with your manager about career development. A good manager will value you being proactive about your career, and will not see your nervousness about being let go as a reason to drop the hammer on you.

 

[Green_Jack]

Communication is everything. They wouldn't have hired you if they didn't see the potential. Maybe the interns are to help carry the load as you settle in more. Maybe it's to judge your management skills. you won't know anything unless you ask.

 

[Miles Long]

And look on the bright side, at least you're not like that guy who is about to be fried. Sizzle ouch!

 

[The Next Big Star]

If you are in the cross-hairs, I think HR or your supervisor would have met with you to discuss your deficiencies and paper their file, getting their ducks in a row. Maybe the HR department needs to be reassessed, too.

I see where you're coming from, but isn't it true that, more than ever nowdays, employers aren't necessarily going through a lengthy, "let's make sure we document every single E-Mail or conversation during the downfall, so that we've got everything in writing when we give him/her a written warning and then when we fire them 3 weeks later if there is no drastically rapid sign of improvement in that 3 week window"? Nowdays, employers fire people left and right without formal "you're kind of on the hot seat right now" warnings/sit downs.

 

[The Next Big Star]

Communication is everything. They wouldn't have hired you if they didn't see the potential. Maybe the interns are to help carry the load as you settle in more. Maybe it's to judge your management skills. you won't know anything unless you ask.

I agree with you to an extent, but I think the second they decided to post that listing for an intern on the team, any chance of still seeing potential in me went out the window. I have a feeling they feel like I'm just not going to be able to turn it around in time and, understandably, they have to make sure that they have their bases covered (in regards to having a replacement ready and rarin' to go)