Gain Insight: Can’t Afford To Lose Job
Pat Palmeri of Insight Counseling is here to answer your questions. Use the form below to ask the therapist.
Dear Pat
I have been working at my current job 2 months now. Until last week, I thought I was great at it. No write ups, no discipline, and I have not been tardy once. The boss’ temp assistant called me into a meeting and he said I worked too slow and was making a lot of mistakes. I found out that the boss had no knowledge of the meeting, from a coworker. I can’t afford to lose this job. I have a daughter at home and we need the money to keep a roof over our heads.
I have asked some of the people I work with, how I am at my job and they say I’m great. What can I do to get over this so that I keep my job? Like I said before, I can’t afford to lose my job.
Employed for now
Pat
I have so many questions about your situation I don’t know where to begin. Does this guy have hiring and firing authority? Did he write up his discussion with you and have you sign it? Did he suggest a means for you to improve and is this on paper with a copy for you? Do you have a HR department? Has he called other female employees into his office for a similar conversation? Has he also had similar conversations with male employees? Does he make a habit of having “off the record” employee assessment meetings. How did you perceive this incident? Were you uncomfortable? Did you feel their was an underlying motive to this meeting? Did you feel physically or sexually threatened/intimidated during this meeting? Has this become a hostile work environment for you?
Only you can answer these questions. Maybe it would be helpful to request a meeting with the Boss and find out what the protocol is for this work environment when someone in authority meets with an employee to address issues of work. You should have been provided with a policy and procedure manual or at least have access to one. If they do have a HR department I would certainly make an appointment to talk with someone. They can create a neutral environment to mediate any misunderstanding. If this person is out of line it is HR’s job to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The only other thing I can suggest if meeting with a therapist to process this experience. I hope everything works out for you in the best way possible.
Patricia Palmeri, MA, LPC
Psychotherapist
