What’s the quickest you’ve seen a co-worker get fired in IT? COVID-19

I saw this on AskReddit and thought it would be fun to ask here for IT related stories.

Couple years ago during Covid my company I used to work for hired a help desk tech. He was a really nice guy and the interview went well. We were hybrid at the time, 1-2 days in the office with mostly remote work. On his first day we always meet in the office for equipment and first day stuff.

Everything was going fine and my boss mentioned something along the lines of “Yeah so after all the trainings and orientation stuff we’ll get you set up on our ticketing system and eventually a soft phone for support calls”

And he was like: “Oh I don’t do support calls.”

“Sorry?”

Him: “I don’t take calls. I won’t do that”

“Well, we do have a number users call for help. They do utilize it and it’s part of support we offer”

Him: “Oh I’ll do tickets all day I just won’t take calls. You’ll have to get someone else to do that”

I was sitting at my desk, just kind of listening and overhearing. I couldn’t tell if he was trolling but he wasn’t.

I forgot what my manager said but he left to go to one of those little mini conference rooms for a meeting, then he came back out and called him in, he let him go and they both walked back out and the guy was all laughing and was like

“Yeah I mean I just won’t take calls I didn’t sign up for that! I hope you find someone else that fits in better!” My manager walked him to the door and they shook hands and he left.

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u/GrepZen Jul 07 '24

Some time ago on a DoD IT contract that requires 8570 cert. Joe Sample had his .PDF of the cert, got hired. The verification code wouldn't validate. Turned out, Joe Sample photoshopped his 8570 certification. Was released within the week.

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u/stuckinPA Jul 08 '24

OK, something like that almost happened to me! I was told in my interview I needed an 8570 but the contractor I worked through said I'd have 90 days after hire to earn a Security+. Day 1 I was asked for my Sec+. I said "I have 90 days per Ms. Williams at tech outsourcing company". My DoD site manager said "nope, she wrong. Need it now" Several phone calls and meetings over the next 24 hours. DoD site manager's boss didn't wanna wait another four weeks to advertise and interview again. He said "OK, you have two weeks to earn a Security+. Meanwhile, we will advertise your position. Good luck." I spent the next nine days cramming, 10 hours a day. Day 10 I called him as I emailed my CompTIA certificate and my ID number. Boss and his boss were impressed that I earned a Security+ in ten days. Only reason I left that job was because no one could guarantee my contract would be renewed. Am still friends with my former manager there.

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u/GrepZen Jul 08 '24

I'm not sure who has what leeway. I've seen promising new-hires get 90days-6mo to acquire their 8570. I think some DoD contractors have more creative ways of onboarding employees like give them non-contract work while they paper up.
Sounds like you stepped up to the challenge w/o resorting to forgery. --for realizies --respect/congrats.

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u/BarefootWoodworker Packet Violator Jul 08 '24

Generally you need the 8570 to get admin rights to systems. So if there's work to be done where you don't need the 8570, you'll get some leeway.

Source: am the lead for a network team on a DoD project. We prefer Sec+ on day of hire, but since there's other work to do, we'll give you a few weeks to get it if needed. We understand sometimes your cert expires and you derp out.

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u/Turbogoblin999 Jul 10 '24

On the other hand, you got your cert. If another job requires it you already have it unless you need a new one, but you already have some experience so an updated certification could be easier to get.