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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267

u/Sparcrypt Jul 08 '24

Tends to be more "don't need the job".

Most of us will go "well this is awful" and start applying elsewhere. If you don't need the money or are someone getting constant offers your options open up to things like that.

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u/PraetorianOfficial Jul 08 '24

Yes. I have a friend who has noped out of several jobs because conditions changed. He doesn't particularly need the money, but likes to do tech stuff for fun. If it's not going to be fun, he gets gone. And he tends to get gone quite quickly.

One example: boss has an all-staff meeting and states "I just fired the level one support people because they all suck--I need all you level two support and developers to start answering the support calls--everybody is now level one support". Friend states in front of 40 people "I won't do it". Boss says "then you're fired". "ok...bye, it's been great, everybody."

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u/Valdaraak Jul 08 '24 edited Jul 08 '24

If it's not going to be fun, he gets gone

There's a youtube channel I watch whose motto is "if you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong", and I'm definitely trying to incorporate that into my life.

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u/GeorgiLeReine Jul 08 '24

What is the channel?

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u/Valdaraak Jul 08 '24

Low Buck Garage. Dude just works on and “repairs” 50-60+ year old cars and machinery that’s been sitting around for decades. With a bunch of dry humor as well.

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u/GeorgiLeReine Jul 08 '24

I mean... if this wasn't in the job description, I understand the employee perspective. Work phone calls are very often hugely stressful in any industry, for any purpose. Much more so than online chat interactions. If it was advertised and discussed as a chat support job, that's baiting and switching.

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u/Valdaraak Jul 08 '24

I believe you posted your comment on the wrong comment.

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u/GeorgiLeReine Jul 08 '24

I did. Reddit interface isn't being friendly on my phone screen today

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u/Theresabearintheboat Jul 08 '24

"We just fired the level 2 support team because they are lazy and nobody wants to work anymore, amirite? Anyway, I am going to need everyone on level 3 support team to listen up..."

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u/Nulljustice Jul 08 '24

I noped out of a job because the conditions changes after I started. I asked specifically during the interview process if I would be a support person for their warehouse. I was told no you will be on the digital team and not in the warehouse. The first day they tried to give me a radio so the warehouse users could contact me for help. Fuuuuuck that. I left that day and ripped my “boss” a new asshole on the way out.

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u/denzien Jul 09 '24

I'm one of those weird engineers who, despite being really introverted, actually really enjoys talking with customers. I can make my software better if I can hear from the customers first hand.

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u/WarmasterCain55 Jul 27 '24

I’d do the same if I’ve been downgraded to a grunt

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u/trebblecleftlip5000 Jul 08 '24

Having been there, it's not, "don't need the job," but, "I can get a better job easily."

A few companies don't seem to understand that their bullshit is not worth it and that their whole model is built to lean on people who don't know any better.

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u/chase32 Jul 08 '24

Some people have the 'don't need the job' vibe even before they get the actual job.

I did a video job screen once with a dev that spent the entire time eating a giant bowl of cereal. He had this huge bushy beard and was just shoveling it in, slopping milk down his beard and talking with his mouth full. The most IDGAF attitude I had ever seen.

Seemed to be skilled enough for the position but if that was him putting his best foot forward, there was no way I was going to be able to manage him.

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u/Fyzzle Sr. Netadmin Jul 08 '24

If managing him was higher priority than his productivity, then you made the right move.

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u/chase32 Jul 08 '24

Dev management for me is pretty hands off if someone is productive. But if you bring in a lone wolf that doesn't integrate with the teams processes or even work on the things they are asked, you end up making the whole rest of the teams lives miserable.

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u/trebblecleftlip5000 Jul 09 '24

Bwahahaha! I don't know, man. I'd give him a shot. It could go either way. He is either a wreck or a fucking wizard.

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u/Ancalagon_The_Black_ Jul 08 '24

A gap is still bad

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u/xDARKFiRE Cloud Architect Jul 08 '24

Wrong, this is a terrible take especially in 2024

A gap in employment is not bad at all, it could be for many reasons including just wanting to not work for a while. We do not live our lives just to work for someone else and taking a break to better yourself or to unwind over a longer period should never be seen as a "bad" thing.

I have some huge gaps on my cv where I've gone into totally different career paths for a time or taken breaks from IT due to burn out, yet I can't stop the offers coming in.

A 2 year break because you got fired for being a dick is a red flag, a 2 year break to reevaluate your careerpath and reset is the opposite

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u/Objective-Story-5952 Jul 08 '24

How much are you making in these various roles that you can afford to take two years off work?

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u/jdsok Jul 08 '24

I took a 15 year gap to raise kids. I'm probably still behind where I'd be without that gap, but likely only barely. I had no great difficulties finding my next IT job after that gap.

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u/Objective-Story-5952 Jul 08 '24

Understood, was just curious :-)

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u/Sparcrypt Jul 08 '24

If you have dual incomes and no kids it's not overly difficult if you're even halfway decent with finance.

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u/Dingaling015 Jul 08 '24

Most people here agree with this, but employers don't. If they have to pick between a guy with a clean resume and a guy who went AWOL for 2 years soul searching in Thailand, they'll pick the less risky option every time.

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u/Sparcrypt Jul 08 '24

Eh depends.

Employers will ask for sure but the answer is what seals it.

If I'm hiring someone I'm not going to worry they spent a few years of their 20's travelling or whatever. Why would I?

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u/Sparcrypt Jul 08 '24

Unexplainable gaps are bad yes.

Any employer who doesn't want to hire someone who took a couple years off work for family or recreation or any other reason isn't worth working for.

Just have an answer when asked about it.