“You’re fired!” This phrase was made famous by one fake-tanned man in particular, and it’s something that nobody wants to hear.
Most people start new jobs with great intentions, looking to settle in quickly and make a great impact. In that situation, getting fired would be the last thing people even consider.
We usually think that people are fired for reasons like theft or simply being crap at their job. However, this fate can befall anyone at any time for a variety of reasons.
Here are ten of the crazier ways that people can get fired. Some have actually happened!
Not being a particular religion
I was told by a local I met a number of months back that one of her college friends from Pittsburgh was fired for an interesting reason.
This friend had been working in a Catholic high school as an English teacher if I remember correctly, and why was she fired? It was discovered that she isn’t actually Catholic (shock, horror!).
Yep, another teacher found out and revealed all, so the poor girl was dismissed. Anyway, the cheek of her claiming to be Catholic!
Showing up to work drunk
Well, this goes without saying really. Turn up after more than a few, and you’re pretty much sending the “I want my P45” signal.
Having said that, this gentleman on Twitter noted a previous employer’s lenience back in 2015, saying that he wasn’t fired for being drunk. He was in fact fired for being “too drunk”.
One time I got fired for being too drunk. Not for being drunk. For being too drunk. I miss that place.
— eric (@ericsshadow) July 10, 2015
So I guess it simply comes down to the particular employer then eh?
Forging tips
Yep, there are those out there who have forged tips on receipts in the hope of a massive payday. If all somebody got was a sandwich, I don’t think they’re gonna be tipping ya $200!
Yawning too much
I guess openly displaying boredom or tiredness may annoy some folks. A magistrate in Pretoria, South Africa was fired for apparent “shameless yawning”.
If you’re gonna do it, you’ve gotta keep it subtle.
Spotted on television
Lots of folks online have told tales of being caught in the act of ‘dossing’.
One noteworthy incident was a young employee calling in sick when in fact he was going to a Golden State Warriors basketball game. Unfortunately for him, his boss saw him on live TV.
Unlucky pal, you just got caught red-handed.
Stealing other people’s food
Definitely an offence worthy of termination. One thing about office culture, especially in the States, is you wouldn’t want to steal someone’s food just when it’s time for an afternoon pick-me-up to fend off the hanger (hungry anger).
It always reminds me of a classic episode of Friends, when Ross goes completely off the rails over a mystery food thief.
http://youtube%20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9FG4kg8HNU
Christmas party embarrassment
I think it’s safe to say that everyone knows someone who’s made a holy show of themselves at a work party, especially at Christmas.
There’s some awful Christmas tales out there. Flirting with higher-ups, getting sick, personally offending people, being an ‘angry drunk’.
Yep, always take care at such events because you’ve got a hell of a lot to lose!
Not smiling enough
I guess in places where customer service is everything, such as Disney World and emm McDonald’s, you could get fired for not being cheery enough.
Lots of places pride themselves on their employees’ ability to hold a seemingly endless smile!
Tattoo issues
One lady online noted that she had been dismissed for not disclosing that she had tattoos. Apparently, her tattoos are in places covered by clothing but unluckily, her boss saw her out somewhere on a day off and caught a glimpse of one of her tattoos and fired her on the spot.
Seemingly tattoos sent the wrong message to company clients. Where did she work? A call centre. Yup.
Not tanned enough
See how I’ve nicely reverted back to my opening line?
A lady was once dismissed from her job in a tanning salon for not being tanned enough.
I guess they’re the ‘face of the business’ and all that. You practice what you preach eh?
Firing on all cylinders
So there you have it, some of the weird and wonderful ways people have been let go.
There’s probably many more ridiculous ways I’ve simply not seen or heard of. Having said that, I do look forward to discovering more interesting tales of crazy firings.
There’s a lot that we can learn from them.
Hastaluego!
