I work in the architecture industry.
I joined this company almost exactly 12 months ago, after I was fired from another company when I told them I needed to take a week off to receive radiation treatment for my cancer.
I enjoyed the first few weeks on the job, but when I opted for the HDHP insurance plan since I felt that an HMO did not fit well with my health problems, I began drowning in debt. As a result, I kind of grew cynical of the workplace, and pretty much quiet quit.
I was always groggy in the morning, because we have AWS (Alternate Work Schedule). So I would come in later than the normal login time which was 7:30, and come in at 8:30, but I would always make it up by staying an hour late, leaving until 6:30 instead of 5:30.
I injured my leg somewhere this year and I had to take a week off. When I came back, our HR lady wanted to pull me aside, but I had no clue what they wanted to talk about. When the day came, I was fucking nervous, but what she wanted to tell me was my “coworkers” did not appreciate the fact that I would get up from my desk often to get snacks, get coffee, or use the restroom, and that somehow this was “disruptive”.
I told the HR lady that next time I will try my best next time to be considerate and try not to create much of a disruption. I gave HR two doctor's notes. One to allow me to use the restroom without it becoming an issue. Second note to provide me an ergonomic raising desk. Both requests were accepted.
I was anxious and depressed even further. I know HR is never on the side of the employee. I didn't want to get fired again, especially during this awful job market at the moment. So I did go job-hunting for a bit on the days off of my AWS. I interviewed at a small firm, but they told they're always busy and it sounded like they basically needed an expert for the role. I then interviewed at another small firm, my interview dates were SCREWED up, but I also didn't like the firm because the conditions of the probation sounded a bit terrible, and there was no hybrid and WFH day options.
A week later, multiple people would be off. Two people in the same role as me were fired, and one of them left for maternity leave. After this happened, I was reassigned to take the responsibilities of the girl who left for maternity leave.
I've been documenting this for months, but: My senior manager was chaotic. He would tell me to work on projects that did not have an official contract yet, but charge them for different projects. I would ask for directions or updates on what I should do next on an assignment or project, and receive nothing, then be told I am behind. I was working on multiple files and projects, that were incredibly messy, and I told my manager about this. It caused me extra time and work and then he told me that I was working too slow…
Then maybe 9 months into the job, we got 2 more managers I was working under and they were completely unreliable. One didn't know much about construction, but because I produced work, I would be responsible if I created work with the “wrong answer”. I would consult with my senior manager about this other manager B, but the senior manager would get annoyed and told me to just consult with him. I liked Manager C on a personal level, but I felt that her directions were too slow and tedious that it prevented me from meeting these impossible metrics.
After complaining to the supervisor ABOVE my Senior manager also above Managers B & C, my supervisor pulled me aside, had me talk to HR, and told me that I was to be placed on a PIP. One of the requirements of the PIP was: to stop coming in an hour later, despite my makeup time. Another criticism was that I was working both too slow and too fast? I was spending too much “budget” on projects, and speeding through my work that I was “missing” steps and people had to come in to clean up after me (WTF, that what I was doing for other people at my time there?).
They gave me the PIP around the end of July 27, and told me that in 60 days, they would decide whether to lift it or not. I was fired on August 5th. I don't think the math is mathing…
I had requested 2-weeks' vacation around 8 months in advance prior to July. All were approved. I even asked HR how it would affect my PIP, and she said it would be a non-issue. Anyways, things started to slow down around the time I went on vacation. I told my senior manager a week in advance, he got angry because he said he deserved 3 weeks' notice in advance. I was allowed to go anyway.
During those 2 weeks, I went to Las Vegas, I interviewed at multiple firms. One was interesting, one was a red flag, one was a one-sided interview, it was really bad. Another person in my role was also recently let go during my vacation period.
After I came back from my vacation, it was a WFH Monday, I asked what was outstanding or what needed to be done, they had nothing. Then I was called by my supervisor. The HR lady was also there. She told me that after my vacation, she went ahead and talked to my teammates and they told me I did not improve and they decided that I was to be terminated. She also told me I did not honor coming to work at their required time (which I DID, which can be verified by our timesheets). BUT, it's over.
I am somewhat upset about how I was treated at this new company, after I escaped another toxic company. I feel like I've been obsessing about why they chose to fire me. Was it because I couldn't handle the workload of 3 fired people? Because I took a week off for a leg injury? And took 2 weeks more off to decompress from a stressful work environment? Or is it because the company is losing money?
I did talk to people who left, and they told me they quit voluntarily because they were being asked to do the workloads of 3 people. Turns out turnover is really high in this company.
Anyways, I do have a couple of things lined up that are at least somewhat promising, and while I am not leaning or getting my hopes up, I am relieved that I don't have to be micromanaged anymore. The most difficult part right now is finding a company that will accept me for my level of experience in this awful job market, and isn't toxic or too far from where I live where the commute won't be terrible.
TL;DR
I left another toxic company for another toxic company. I became unmotivated when my insurance caused me to drown in debt. I pulled my leg sometime in the year, and HR pulled me aside and told me that I was being disruptive by using the bathroom. I replaced the role of 3 people after they were fired and one left for maternity leave. I got overwhelmed and was told that I wasn't fulfilling the responsibilities of my role.
I tried to work around it, but was still handed a PIP. I left for vacation and committed to interviewing at other places. I came back at my first day of vacation and HR lady came back to fire me and hand me paperwork. I talked to other people in the firm and they told me they also felt overwhelmed and also got the sense that the company was losing money. I am now looking forward and not back.