10 Signs You're About To Get Fired

These are Boom Times, & atleast Indian Cos aren't cutting jobs, but for other reasons like being casual at work, unproductive, or even if your company isn't making much money, there still are reasons you could lose that job. Keep those ears to the ground.

1. Your Company is Sold

Tough times can mean lots of mergers and acquisitions – was your company bought out or taken over recently? Even if you’ve been told your job is safe, these kinds of corporate moves always mean the deck will be shuffled, so make sure you hold you cards firmly. Make a list of your accomplishments and contributions, and be ready to give a sales pitch on your worth to the company should you be called in by your boss or a consultant.

2. Pay or Benefits are Cut

Did the company’s lunchroom coffee suddenly stop being free, or worse: have your benefits been stopped? Maybe you moved to a smaller office. Everyone is tightening the belt these days, but watch for little and big signs that your company isn’t doing well. Make sure you have your resume polished, but don’t act like you’re already halfway out the door – now is the time to help add to the bottom line wherever you can. It’ll help your company, and boost your worth to it.

3. Coworkers Are Fired

Pink slips are handed out at various times in the year, but you’ve been told your job is safe. If layoffs have happened at your work, don’t be naive to think you couldn’t be next. Make sure you have your resume ready, and scope out the job market. The worst thing is to be laid off and unprepared, so be ready – just in case.

4. You’re Left Out of Meetings

There’s a management meeting you normally attend, but “someone forgot to tell you.” You’re left out of the loop when important memos are sent out, or other company decisions are made that you previously would’ve been consulted on. If this is you: get ready to hit the job hunting trail. Being discounted is like ticking clock, telling you your time in your current job is about to be up.

5. You Don’t Get Along with Your Boss

This one may be obvious, but just in case: if you and your boss aren’t getting along, your job is in jeopardy. Think about it: when he or she is asked who to give a pink slip, you’ll have a bull’s-eye on your back. If this is you, look for ways to move within your company. Not possible? Make sure no matter what, even if your Boss isn't your most favourite person in the world, you should ensure you have a good, healthy rapport with him/her, it might just save your job.

6. You’re Given a Dead-End Task

Are you counting paperclips, getting xeroxes & photocopies or are you told to do some other task that seems pointless or a dead-end or menial? You may be axed soon: being sent down a dead-end road at work is like being shoved into a corner – a sure sign your skills are not being valued. Look for ways to bring your skills back into the limelight. Volunteer for tasks that no one else wants to take on to show you’re not ready to disappear; it beats shredding paper, right?


7. Your Projects Are Stalled

Feel like all of your work is stopped in its tracks because no one seems to be interested? Watch your back: having your projects stalled out on someone’s desk is like a big neon sign, announcing that you may be fired soon. Look for projects that you can get accomplished, to show you can contribute to the company’s objectives.


8. Your have been absent a lot lately

Have you been taking it easy lately & calling in sick atleast once a week? Do you come late to work & leave early? Absenteeism is fast catching on to be on of the prime reasons for terminations these last couple of years. So make sure, aside from your privileged/sick leaves, you're right there in your chair when the Boss walks by your aisle, beaming like a new shinny penny.

9. You don't 'FIT' into the culture at work

Many of us are needles in a haystack, misfits in a group, the sore thumb that sticks out when it comes to group dynamics. Recent studies have shown that if you dont blend in with the local teams at work, your chances of being 'left out in the cold' are higher. So go for that team outing, get a new wardrobe, treat your colleagues once in a while, be friendly (not over friendly, that's just creepy!), well dressed, smelling good, on time at work, a helping team player & if your leaving the company means 3-4 more employees following in your lead, the company won't want such attrition!

10. You See Your Job Advertised

You’re scouting for a new job, and you see an ad from your company. You read the duties and realize: this is my job! If your company is looking to add to the staff, no problem, but if not, take this as a sign that you might be replaced soon. Don’t be surprised to be asked to train the new guy first – right before your pink slip lands on your desk. Start updating your resume, just in case a promotion isn’t next.