Will a Mess-up Mean a Job Loss?

Reader Comments
Back to blog

The real danger is when bosses THINK they're on the right side of the values, but actually they're the ones who've got it wrong, and they're projecting a lot of accusations onto the employee. How does an employee (especially a reasonable, humble one who just wants to get on with doing a good job) defend against that? The smart ones will bow their heads, give non-committal responses, and try to get back to work as soon as possible, because they know that eventually, the mud you sling while debating with them, no matter how untrue, will start to stick, if only in your own mind.
The number one responsibility of any boss is to give people the benefit of the doubt, treating them like professionals and adults. Never, EVER, accuse someone of doing the wrong thing without HARD evidence. Projecting your interpretation of events onto them is absolutely NOT an option.

Joe of OR 6:51PM August 25, 2011

Yes, and bear in mind that this typically occurs in courts with judges appointed or elected by liberals. At present, you have a Supreme Court dominated by five guys (including two new Bush appointees) who about a year ago decided that Lilly Ledbetter could not sue Goodyear Tire for years and years of gender wage discrimination because she did not file her claim within 180 days of the first check she received that was less than mens' checks for identical work in identical jobs. NEVER MIND that payroll is kept secret by the employers and she could not have known about the discrimination against her until "tipped" with the real facts years later. The Court said, file within 180 days of something you cannot necessarily know (because you are kept from knowing) , or tough luck, ladies. Corporations are laughing themselves silly (and will continue to do so until YOU take the political wheel and STEER your country).

Daniel David of 11:15AM June 07, 2008

One thing to keep in mind, of course, is that the courts commonly apply exceptions to the doctrine of employment at will and, in wrongful discharge cases, reverse terminations that violate an implied contract, public policy, or good faith and fair dealing.

Michael Wade of AZ 8:39AM June 07, 2008

It doesn't much matter what platitudes a company states unofficially to employees, if the OFFICIAL doctrine is that of continuing to make all people sign statements "agreeing" in advance to be fired for "any reason or no reason."
Employees everywhere have good reason to be "afraid" of the corporate entities that are out of control BECAUSE the citizens did not have enough guts to "control" their tone and tactics (via sufficiently liberal government).
Employee, dear soul, you are way, way, way behind the curve on this. You will have employment policies slanted against you and every other real person UNTIL we stand up as voters and assert citizen rights over corporate "rights" in the laws of the land.

Daniel David of NM 11:38AM June 06, 2008