You've Been Fired. Handle It.
By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Not everyone is a perfect fit for every job and almost everyone has been shown the door at one time or another.
A disgruntled former employee at a Houston auction house drove a bulldozer into the business, causing $1.5 million in damage, police said. That's not a good way to ask for your job back. If you should be fired, don't do that.
First, remain calm. It's bad enough to walk to the elevator, it's just terrible for security to have to escort you there kicking and screaming or crying or bulldozing. Keep hold of yourself even if you have to bite your tongue to do it.
It is okay to ask the reasons for your termination if they are not forthcoming and also to ask if there was something you could have done to have prevented the termination in order to help you in your next job. But don't berate your manager or coworkers or the company. You may need to provide a reference to get a new job.
Finally, if you feel you've been treated unfairly, it is best to wait a day before expressing your anger. You can talk to the EEOC to see if you've faced unlawful discrimination but basic unfairness isn't against the law.
Over time, you will likely be grateful not to be working in a place that flattens your self esteem anyway.
