by Fired in Hannibal
(Hannibal, MO)
I was working as an Office Manager in a Family Medicine practice. I worked there for 1 1/2 years. I have never felt comfortable and has always felt that my boss was intimidating. I had my yearly review and my performance was poor. I have been short staffed at the back office and front office, therefore, all other functions of my duties have suffered. I have failed to pay invoices on time and to discuss the financials with my boss. I don’t get the mail and have felt that my staff, who were not fond of me was keeping my mail. I did not tell her this because these employees have been with her for 5 years and she believes everything they tell her. I knew that she was unhappy with my performance, but she never verbalized this to me, with the exception of my yearly review. When I spoke with her about 3 months ago, she told me that “things are going well, sometimes I think things get missed, like ordering supplies, but I’m OK with things”. I could just feel that things were not right, the other physician would complain to me how controlling and unapproachable she was. Friday I got a phone call at home stating that she has been meaning to talk to me and she thought it was the best interest of the company to terminate our business relationship and to consider me terminated. I just said OK, I’ll be there to get my check. I admit that invoices were past due and some may have been missed,however, this was not intentional or to harm the company. Thinking back, I don’t think I was capable of performing that job, due to my constant need to be at the front desk. Do you call this misconduct or negligence?
Hi FIH:)
Well I would call this the kind of case an employer may be able to prove neglect of duties, but apparently you never felt capable of doing the job and the employer will be hard pressed to prove that you ever were. One performance review? and not written warnings? Did you get a written notice of termination?
Of course, your stance will be that you did the job to the best of your ability. And that you had been adequately staffed.
I think it’s fifty/fifty and that depends on you not saying anything in a way that would automatically self disqualify you.
Did you ask for training? Did you ask for more help? If you can show that you were trying to get the help needed to succeed in the job, you might win.