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12/16/2002 Archived Entry: "Haunting words (I was fired for blogging)"
Today I was fired for blogging my life here. I'm not talking about being let go because I was spending work time writing, which I've never done. Today I was fired because, without naming names, I spoke negatively about a person who had the power to fire me. My ex-employer raised the word 'slander', and I have complied to their wishes to remove the offending blog entries.
...but I still don't feel good about it.
I was fired because I expressed my annoyances publicly, rather than hiding them and keeping a forced smile on my face. I was fired because my annoyances could affect the public perception of the law firm where I worked, and the core problem will, as far as I can tell, not be addressed. I have curtailed my words to prevent the future possibility of bad things happening to me although I honestly felt the emotions behind those words.
I enjoyed the job, and tried to bring up my issues with my boss repeatedly to get them resolved, without success. When solutions didn't happen I brought my feelings out. I vented here in my blog and received comfort from people who knew me.
The firm administrator said that my record of employment would say 'terminated' and not 'terminated with cause' because "we're not sure if there is cause or not". My boss said "it's been nice working with someone who knew what the f*** they were talking about". I think I knew what I was talking about in more than the technical aspects of my job, but I can't talk about those things publicly anymore. I did a good job and spent my work time productively, and while they were firing me they made no complaint about the ways that I conducted myself at the workplace.
They sure didn't like me saying what I felt in my own time though. I was fired for talking about work outside work hours.
The head of the firm was decent about it at the end, gave me a decent bit of severance, and expressed that there were no hard feelings. I can accept that from him, and I am fairly sure my direct boss doesn't have any either.
I don't know whether to block access for my ex-employer to my webserver or not. They discovered by blog because I had shared a link to my wedding pictures with a few employees of the firm, who apparently went looking at what else I had on the site and discovered my blog. From there, someone took that link and brought it to the administration's attention. In some ways I feel a little cheated that this person (who I liked enough to show my wedding photos, which did not include more than 1 or 2 percent of the ~170 person staff) didn't come to me with their concerns, but that is their own issue. I made my thoughts public and that means that the public can read them.
I'm saddened, but most of all I am sorry that it came out like this. Had I known the final outcome or even remotely suspected it I might have handled things differently.
Personal note: Today is our one-month wedding anniversary. Jen remains the best wife any man could have, and I love her completely. Always and Forever.
Replies: 23 comments
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You know, of course, how I feel about this already. I too feel that this is a horrible way to leave an issue unresolved. I would be good to have people in management who were strong enough to deal with petty harassment, but it appears that it is not to be. On the other hand, you've now got a great opportunity to get a better job and get to a place that makes you feel better. Happy anniversary. Posted by Bleachdrinker @ 12/16/2002 12:41 PM PST |
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(((((Kickstart)))) Nothing hurts more than a knife to the back from a friend. Let me know if I can help down here. In the meantime, happy anniversary. I thought about you today as I paid my speeding ticket to the Alexander City Police Department. Posted by crash_ @ 12/16/2002 12:47 PM PST |
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Greg, This completely bites, bud. If I had my way, I'd find the people responsible for this kind of asinine behaviour and drag them through the mud, law firm or not. The worst part is that in cases like this, it's always about egos. Someone else wanted to puff up their status in the eyes of the company, at your expense. People like that belong in a Soylent Green vat. Let me know if there's anything I can do. Yer Pal, Posted by Illiad @ 12/16/2002 12:54 PM PST |
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What field are u in? I know a couple of positions open in Va. Whoever got you let go for your personal feeling towards them should be beaten, in fact, u should give me a name and address and look the other way. I know many bored drunk rednecks who own baseball bats and shotguns that would be willing to exact whatever vengence u deem necessary "deliverance" style. Posted by BadassITGod @ 12/16/2002 01:34 PM PST |
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Awww, man that's bad. *pat* *pat* Hope you find a better job with better managers soon. Posted by aix_tom @ 12/16/2002 01:58 PM PST |
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I don't know what to say. I'm sorry for you, pal. ((Kickstart)) Posted by bugarup @ 12/16/2002 02:27 PM PST |
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aww fer da luba geebuz. I would block the access for them, definetly. Or better yet, a IP sensative redirect. hehehe. Posted by FunkyMonkey @ 12/16/2002 02:30 PM PST |
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My sympathies to you, as well. Having been in virtually just the situation you describe, I can say I know the betrayal you feel right now. All I can say is that the pain goes away (more quickly if you find a better job), but the resentment has more staying power. Good luck, Happy (sic) Anniversary, keep your head up. Having come to know you (in whatever limited way the UF forums allows) over the past four years, I have no doubts that you will land on your feet, running. Cthulhu saves...;-P Posted by SouthpawPL @ 12/16/2002 03:14 PM PST |
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OMG, the colossal stupidity! They don't know what a fabulous employee they just turfed. Small minds, big egos. Karma will inevitably do its work. Meantime, hugs to you and Jen. Posted by WebDiva @ 12/16/2002 03:48 PM PST |
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<=/ (((Kickstart))) Posted by LionsPhil @ 12/16/2002 04:26 PM PST |
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*smacks his forehead* sorry brudda man. that really bites. hope you and jen find a good solution to this one - take care of each other, hear? Posted by Cybergeek @ 12/16/2002 05:50 PM PST |
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Majorly rotten behaviour on the part of your employers. Can they not be sued for wrongful dismissal? It doesn't seem like there was "just cause". (((Kickstart))) Posted by Paphos @ 12/16/2002 10:27 PM PST |
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My sympathies. This is a tough time to be out of a job, both seasonally and because of the job situation for technical folk. In the long run, hopefully you will be the better for this, landing a better job working for an organization who respects your work and your personal life. I find it especially interesting that a law firm doesn't know the definition of slander must include that what facts you stated were untrue, and that slander is for verbal statements, libel would be the correct charge for written statements. See the 'Lectric Law Library ( http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/s052.htm ), for example. Even the bastion of democracy (sarcasm for the impared) Croatia recognizes that opinions which are not false facts is NOT slander (see http://www.peacebrigades.org/bpt/bpt96-12.html and look for "The legal definition of slander is the spreading of facts that are not in accordance with the truth.") Congratulations on the 1 month anniversary and best wishes for hundreds more. ((((Greg and Jennifer)))) Posted by DesktopRonE @ 12/16/2002 11:51 PM PST |
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You've heard it before (I just read it, so I know), and I won't repeat it again. Any help needed? Ask and if it's within my abilities and morals (I won't kill him :+) ) I'll do it. Posted by Adiplomat @ 12/17/2002 02:59 AM PST |
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D'oh! I don't see the point in pulling the relevant entries (the slander threat is bogus). Hope your next job is in a better place -- you'd made comments about how unhappy you were, besides the talk about that awful person. Posted by Anita Rowland @ 12/17/2002 09:49 AM PST |
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I'm really sorry. Best wishes for future.
Posted by perpeduumimmobl @ 12/17/2002 01:50 PM PST |
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I am really sorry because of your honesty that this has happened to you. I have seen companies do pretty bad things, but that person has absolutely no spine to not come to you first. Unfortunately, this is a large learning experience to everyone reading this that companies do not care or look out for employees. Nor, can you trust other people you spend quite bit of time working together when it comes to the workplace. Best of luck to you in the future. Unfortuantly, this is a large learning experience to everyone reading this that companies do not care or look out for employees. Best of luck to you. Posted by g33kg1rl @ 12/18/2002 03:09 PM PST |
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Block them ... Posted by DragonLady @ 12/18/2002 11:28 PM PST |
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Block them ... Posted by DragonLady @ 12/18/2002 11:30 PM PST |
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If it isn't obvious to you by now, posting your thoughts about your employer is at best inappropriate, at worst stupid. Posted by AJ @ 01/01/2003 10:07 AM PST |
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Hey, it's Jon Swartz of USA TODAY. Were you fired for blogging? If so, call me at 415-901-5356. I'm working on a story on the subject. Thanks. Posted by Jon Swartz @ 10/02/2003 11:36 AM PST |
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Hey, it's Jon Swartz of USA TODAY. Were you fired for blogging? If so, call me at 415-901-5356. I'm working on a story on the subject. Thanks. Posted by Jon Swartz @ 10/02/2003 11:37 AM PST |
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Hey, it's Jon Swartz of USA TODAY. Were you fired for blogging? If so, call me at 415-901-5356. I'm working on a story on the subject. Thanks. Posted by Jon Swartz @ 10/02/2003 11:37 AM PST |