21 October 2010

Got fired again, any jobs for loners?

| Homeless
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[ED – This should be taken as a follow on from an earlier story]

I can’t understand it, I got fired again last night.

I was working in a fast food restaurant and have been there for a few months. My shift supervisor and I got on well, but the boss had been riding me hard after finding out that I lived in my van. Anyway my shift supervisor had in the past asked if I could cover some extra shifts when people failed to show up, which happens a fair bit in the industry I’ve heard.

Last night I had worked 8 hours and was about to knock off when the shift supervisor asked if I could work another shift because 2 guys didn’t turn up and there was just one guy behind the counter when there needs to be two. I said I was sleepy and could probably only manage 4 or 5 hours till 8 or 9 pm, was that okay because business really slowed down after then? He said that was great, so I did about 4 hours 40 minutes till things were quiet and went to knock off.

Anyway the boss came in wanting a free dinner and the other guy said I had just knocked off. The boss came out back as I was changing out of my uniform and asked what I was doing. I explained the situation, saying I had volunteered to do some of the extra shift because 2 other guys had not turned up. The boss had a go at me saying I was lazy and shifty and so on. I tried to explain politely that I had done over 12 hours straight and that I often did extra shifts at all sorts of hours and covered for other people. He ignored that and finished up saying if I can’t do the work then I shouldn’t be there. Before I could reply he said he wanted my keys and my uniform and that I was fired. I was too tired to argue, so I just walked off, got into my van and slept it off.

I tried to clear it up with my supervisor who was really pissed off because he said I was the most reliable and hard working guy there but he’s rang me and told me no go, even though he will be short staffed again until he gets new people in.

It sucks, but I’m used to sh** happening.

It strikes me though that I’d probably be better off doing a job where I don’t have so much interaction with people. Not that I don’t like people. I just don’t like people who are in my face, or big crowds. I mean if they had a job where they sent you out in the middle of nowhere and asked you to do something simple enough that you would not need too much supervision that would suit me fine. I would have made a great light house keeper.

I would probably make an okay truck driver except I don’t like driving big stuff because I’ve seen some of the crazy stuff people do on the roads and having an accident seems like an eventuality, not a probability.

So any ideas on jobs with limited supervision?

Do you have a need of staff beyond the black stump with their own mobile accomodation?

Anyone know of a light house that needs keeping?

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turlough3 said :

I would say being a librarian is not a job for a loaner.

I would have thought that being a librarian would be a great job for a loaner, or a lender even!

turlough3 said :

I would say being a librarian is not a job for a loaner.

No no…that’s terrible advice! Being a librarian is *the* ideal job for a loaner. All day, over and over again you loan and loan. Sometimes you have to handle the returns, and that can be a pisser, but overall there’s a helluva lot of loaning involved in the librarian business. Trust me on this.

I would say being a librarian is not a job for a loaner. You have coworkers and the general public is always asking you things.

I feel your pain I don’t like people. I don’t even like to give directions.

Woody Mann-Caruso2:18 pm 01 Nov 10

Don’t let it get you down. Otherwise, somebody out there who needs your help and is in a position to take it might miss out next time.

colourful sydney racing identity1:36 pm 01 Nov 10

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Just because somebody didn’t jump high enough, fast enough or even at all in response to your offer for help, it doesn’t mean they don’t need help or that they’re not genuine about their circumstances. I imagine it’d be quite confronting for somebody who’s grown used to making their own way in the world, particularly an extreme introvert, and it’d be perfectly understandable if that person felt pressured to try to meet you halfway but ended up not being able to make it.

You did the right thing by offering to help. If homeless is a scumbag looking for attention, then let it go. It doesn’t sound like he hit you up for money or anything else, so probably better for your own mental health to figure there were personal reasons it didn’t work out, and to be grateful you’re not in the same situation. The world’s a much nicer place to live when you assume people are basically good, probably flawed in some way that makes some aspects of their life a bit of a struggle, and are just trying to do their best to get by.

Personally I would rather be hit up for money. There are enough people in the world and not surprisingly this forum who enjoy kicking people while they’re down. It is heartening to see when someone who purports to be in dire circumstances is offered support.

However, when the person purporting to be in a tough spot exhibits all the characteristics of being nothing but an attention seeker it really bothers me.

Woody Mann-Caruso1:18 pm 01 Nov 10

Just because somebody didn’t jump high enough, fast enough or even at all in response to your offer for help, it doesn’t mean they don’t need help or that they’re not genuine about their circumstances. I imagine it’d be quite confronting for somebody who’s grown used to making their own way in the world, particularly an extreme introvert, and it’d be perfectly understandable if that person felt pressured to try to meet you halfway but ended up not being able to make it.

You did the right thing by offering to help. If homeless is a scumbag looking for attention, then let it go. It doesn’t sound like he hit you up for money or anything else, so probably better for your own mental health to figure there were personal reasons it didn’t work out, and to be grateful you’re not in the same situation. The world’s a much nicer place to live when you assume people are basically good, probably flawed in some way that makes some aspects of their life a bit of a struggle, and are just trying to do their best to get by.

colourful sydney racing identity11:48 am 01 Nov 10

I am still interested to hear if any of the people who have offered help have had their offers taken up.

I stand by my comments that “Most people on this site took you on face value, but, it looks as if you have come on here just to tug at peoples heart strings – shame on you”

Yup. If I were a homeless bloke low on self confidence and a little wary of people I’d definitely be giving my personal details to nutters on this site! (bee-tee-dubs; that was sarcasm)

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Right – the forum you joined after your post @41?

Well, I joined and messaged you and have had no reply – you have had a lot of people on this forum offer you support/help in a number of areas – have you taken anyone up on their offers?

Has anyone who has offered assistance to ‘homeless’ had an offer taken up?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Most people on this site took you on face value, but, it looks as if you have come on here just to tug at peoples heart strings – shame on you

CSRI: whatever kindness & sincerity you may have started out with for this bloke you probably need to match that with patience and understanding rather than bitterness (at your offers being rejected?) and humilation. Otherwise your offers of help might appear to be short-lived, intimidating and a bit like trolling.

WMC getting popcorn suggests that it appears that way to other people too

Woody Mann-Caruso10:21 am 01 Nov 10

*popcorn*

colourful sydney racing identity9:28 am 01 Nov 10

Just a quick recap:

You post here asking if anyone has jobs for loners, I tell you I may have something and ask for contact details, you won’t provide them and instead ask me to go to another forum to get them.

I post here asking for a user name so I can contact you, you provide a user name that was registered after I asked what it was.

To show my sincerity I gave you my work email address and real name, in return you gave me what clearly looks like a ficticious name – I liked the way you used my name as a firstname and surname – nice touch.

The position was in an area that you have professed some experience and all I requested was a resume – I assumed that as you have previously commented about how much time you spend applying for jobs this would not be a big ask but I have received nothing from you.

Most people on this site took you on face value, but, it looks as if you have come on here just to tug at peoples heart strings – shame on you

colourful sydney racing identity3:58 pm 25 Oct 10

we have just gone through this via email – why are you posting it here?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Homeless said :

Opps. Yeah, just remeembered I should have posted that. AusVanFan

Right – the forum you joined after your post @41?

Well, I joined and messaged you and have had no reply – you have had a lot of people on this forum offer you support/help in a number of areas – have you taken anyone up on their offers?

Has anyone who has offered assistance to ‘homeless’ had an offer taken up?

Read your email. I’m not online ever second of every day.
If you want to help thanks, but if you’re trying to give me a hard time I can do without it okay.

colourful sydney racing identity10:55 am 25 Oct 10

Homeless said :

Opps. Yeah, just remeembered I should have posted that. AusVanFan

Right – the forum you joined after your post @41?

Well, I joined and messaged you and have had no reply – you have had a lot of people on this forum offer you support/help in a number of areas – have you taken anyone up on their offers?

Has anyone who has offered assistance to ‘homeless’ had an offer taken up?

Sounds like the employment practices of R** R******* in W*nn****a.

Opps. Yeah, just remeembered I should have posted that. AusVanFan

colourful sydney racing identity12:58 pm 22 Oct 10

Homeless said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I may have something coming up that could suit – how can I contact you?

I thought about that a bit. I don’t want to post my mobile or email address here, as having done that in the past elsewhere I got people emailing me and ringing me about all sorts of weird stuff. So I signed up to the homeless forums at http://www.homelessforums.org/ where you should be able to send me an email without having to sign up. I think.

As for naming and shaming, Canberra is too small and it is not worth it. My shift supervisor is happy to put in a good word for me if I go for other fast food jobs, so I don’t want to mess that up. I’ve been fired before from other jobs, it is no big deal. You just move on, try learn from it and be thankful for the work while it lasted. Life is too short to be obsessed with revenge.

I was only casual, and that happens on casual jobs all the time. Some times it is for no reason. You get called in and told they just don’t have work for you. Some are pretty generous about it. I was working at a Subway once and the boss told me after a peak period that work was going to slack off and that they’d have to let me go soon. Then he told me to feel free to take home any of the salad ingediants left over at the end of the day and to go wild with a few sub cards and stamps for free subways back in the day that they had cards. He called me up a few times later on to hire me again during peak periods.

My philosaphy, staff happens. Life is not about what happens to you, it is about how you react to it. I could have moped around getting mad at my last boss, but I find it more useful to simply start looking for another job. No use crying over what could have been.

what is your username?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

I may have something coming up that could suit – how can I contact you?

I thought about that a bit. I don’t want to post my mobile or email address here, as having done that in the past elsewhere I got people emailing me and ringing me about all sorts of weird stuff. So I signed up to the homeless forums at http://www.homelessforums.org/ where you should be able to send me an email without having to sign up. I think.

As for naming and shaming, Canberra is too small and it is not worth it. My shift supervisor is happy to put in a good word for me if I go for other fast food jobs, so I don’t want to mess that up. I’ve been fired before from other jobs, it is no big deal. You just move on, try learn from it and be thankful for the work while it lasted. Life is too short to be obsessed with revenge.

I was only casual, and that happens on casual jobs all the time. Some times it is for no reason. You get called in and told they just don’t have work for you. Some are pretty generous about it. I was working at a Subway once and the boss told me after a peak period that work was going to slack off and that they’d have to let me go soon. Then he told me to feel free to take home any of the salad ingediants left over at the end of the day and to go wild with a few sub cards and stamps for free subways back in the day that they had cards. He called me up a few times later on to hire me again during peak periods.

My philosaphy, staff happens. Life is not about what happens to you, it is about how you react to it. I could have moped around getting mad at my last boss, but I find it more useful to simply start looking for another job. No use crying over what could have been.

Colourful is right. The law is there to protect employers (yes, they do need protection sometimes) against frivolous litigation which some people “believe” they are entitled to a job irrespective of how they perform it.

Without it, the moment anyone was fired for poor performance only a few weeks into a job they would be going straight to a no win no fee lawyer and making everyone’s life more difficult. Did you ever consider that fired for no reason means that you just weren’t any good at the job.

This is why there is this 6 months “trial period” so that employers can judge an employee’s ability to perform the job, and if it is not up to standard, to fire them without hassle.

Not saying this is the situation the OP was faced with, just that people are all to quick to jump at legal action these days without first finding out whether it is warranted.

colourful sydney racing identity11:21 am 22 Oct 10

Right, so legislation means nothing if *you* believe someone is entitled to something.

If you were told that by FWO they were wrong or you were mistaken. The law is unamiguous.

Please, please, for the love of everything that is holy, read the legislation before replying.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Genie said :

NAME AND SHAME, NAME AND SHAME !!!

I second contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman, you can fill out paperwork online and submit it FOC. Earlier this year I lodge complaints about my former boss and unfair working conditions. They have to take every complaint seriously and go investigate with the business.
End result for me, my former boss received warnings and had to overhaul how he paid and treated staff and I received the pay he withheld.

I believe you should have a case for unfair dismissal, a few phone calls could help you confirm this.

*face palm* there is no claim for unfair dismissal – see my post above. If that is not enough for you try reading s382-384 of the Fair Work Act.

I said “I believe you SHOULD have a case” as in IMO he should be entitled to one.

I previously worked somewhere for only 2 weeks and was fired for no reason. Contacted FWO and they explained how I was entitled to claim for unfair dismissal. Unless the law changed again in the last 6 months. I’m simply suggesting the OP makes a few phone calls. Clarify it for himself.

colourful sydney racing identity9:52 am 22 Oct 10

Genie said :

NAME AND SHAME, NAME AND SHAME !!!

I second contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman, you can fill out paperwork online and submit it FOC. Earlier this year I lodge complaints about my former boss and unfair working conditions. They have to take every complaint seriously and go investigate with the business.
End result for me, my former boss received warnings and had to overhaul how he paid and treated staff and I received the pay he withheld.

I believe you should have a case for unfair dismissal, a few phone calls could help you confirm this.

*face palm* there is no claim for unfair dismissal – see my post above. If that is not enough for you try reading s382-384 of the Fair Work Act.

NAME AND SHAME, NAME AND SHAME !!!

I second contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman, you can fill out paperwork online and submit it FOC. Earlier this year I lodge complaints about my former boss and unfair working conditions. They have to take every complaint seriously and go investigate with the business.
End result for me, my former boss received warnings and had to overhaul how he paid and treated staff and I received the pay he withheld.

I believe you should have a case for unfair dismissal, a few phone calls could help you confirm this.

colourful sydney racing identity8:23 am 22 Oct 10

cleo said :

I think this pig is a real bully, you really should do something about being sacked, it would be the last thing this pig would expect from you. I have worked 13 hrs straight in hospitality, when they were short or busy, at least the boss thanked us for putting in the extra hours. For your own self worth don’t let this pig push you around, what he did will never stand up in court.

And what, pray tell, should homeless do?

I think this pig is a real bully, you really should do something about being sacked, it would be the last thing this pig would expect from you. I have worked 13 hrs straight in hospitality, when they were short or busy, at least the boss thanked us for putting in the extra hours. For your own self worth don’t let this pig push you around, what he did will never stand up in court.

No promises, but I am in a position to offer parking with access to water and electricity. I may also be in a position to offer you employment that may meet (my understanding of) your needs. Happy to discuss. m:0419 267792 e:escape@adventureconsultants.com.au

There’s another issue here… I know that there are specific laws stating how long you can work at any one time etc. I’m pretty sure 12 hours is the max anyone can work. However as mentioned, casual work is by its nature casual.

Why are so many people are pointing Homeless in the direction of complaints and litigation – welcome to the United States of Canberra.

We only have one side of the story but you all seem to believe it without question. How sad.

Sad but true. More than a few people get fired at 5 months and two weeks. It’s rough out there.

colourful sydney racing identity4:29 pm 21 Oct 10

unless the argument can be made that ‘homeless’ has worked regualr and systematic hours – whcihc given the short period of employment is not possible.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Quick industrial relations lesson for those that came in late. This will be in the test.

Under the Fair Work Act a person is only protected from unfair dismissal if they have served a minimum employment period. If the employer is a small business (a business with less than 15 FTE) that period is 12 months. It is 6 months in all other cases.

We know that ‘homeless’ has only been in the employ of this business for a short period of time, definitely not 6 months.

Homeless has no recourse for unfair dismissal.

There may be potential claims for unlawful dismissal or possibly a breach of agreement/award, or even a breach of the general protections section of the Fair Work Act.

A lot more information would need to be forthcoming to ascertain whether any of these claims would be possible.

Plus, in a casual environment, there is also the option for an employer to simple not give you any shifts…

1st day of the rest of your life really. Especially after putting up with f*ckwit fast food managers.

colourful sydney racing identity4:02 pm 21 Oct 10

Quick industrial relations lesson for those that came in late. This will be in the test.

Under the Fair Work Act a person is only protected from unfair dismissal if they have served a minimum employment period. If the employer is a small business (a business with less than 15 FTE) that period is 12 months. It is 6 months in all other cases.

We know that ‘homeless’ has only been in the employ of this business for a short period of time, definitely not 6 months.

Homeless has no recourse for unfair dismissal.

There may be potential claims for unlawful dismissal or possibly a breach of agreement/award, or even a breach of the general protections section of the Fair Work Act.

A lot more information would need to be forthcoming to ascertain whether any of these claims would be possible.

troll-sniffer3:45 pm 21 Oct 10

In addition to the unfair dismissal claim, you could get this boss into some well-deserved hot water. Workplaces are leagally obliged to provide suitable rest times, and depending on the award or workplace agreement, overtime rates for worked performed without a suitable meal break. These are your statutory rights, they are not an option for your boss to decide.

Contatct the Fair Work Ombudsman at http://www.fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94, state your case, outline any deficiencies in payslips, superannuation records, overtime worked but not paid at overtime rates, any penalty rates on weekends you may not have received etc, and I think you’ll find if you present a good case you will get all the help you need.

James-T-Kirk3:36 pm 21 Oct 10

I agree – Name and shame

Don’t worry about the Politically correct unfair dismissal, except to extract a payment from him. Working there is not something you want to do after taking him to FWA.

Is the Black Stump tag at the top an employer clue?

Presuming this is a franchise we’re talking about…if this boss is an employee of a franchise, and not the local franchise owner, I’m sure the franchise head office would LOVE to hear about this.

Negative publicity is bad, and karma is good.

colourful sydney racing identity3:18 pm 21 Oct 10

schmeah said :

Your boss has no legal footing to just walk in and sack you without previous warnings of poor work behaviour which may result in dismissal.

*sigh* bush lawyers…

Fencing, land clearing, parks and wildlife, landscaping, even gardening. Sounds like outdoor work is what you need. I know it’s picking yourself up by your bootlaces training up for new jobs when you have no money. Good luck.

KB1971 said :

P1, Mt Coree is west…….

I was just testing you all.

No, don’t let this arsehole get away with his unfair dismissal — I’m sure he’s picking on you because he knows you are in a vulnerable situation, and he thinks he can get away with it. This won’t be the only time that this will happen.

“An unfair dismissal application must be lodged within 14 days of the dismissal coming into effect. Fair Work Australia (FWA) may accept a late application but only in exceptional circumstances.”

“Employees are required to pay an application fee of $60.60. This fee may be waived on the grounds that its payment would cause serious hardship.

Any application for waiver of the fee should accompany the application form. The fee may also be refunded if the matter is discontinued before conciliation.”

Obviously we don’t know the Ts & Cs of your employment, but get into the Fair Work office in Canberra, 2nd Floor, CML Building, 17-21 University Avenue, and get their advice and fill in those two forms if appropriate, the claim and the fee waiver.

Don’t let this b@stard get away with his bullying and possibly illegal behaviour.

ConanOfCooma2:50 pm 21 Oct 10

a) Name and shame. I don’t want to give my money to a place like that.

b) Report them to head office. Unless you lucked out and it was Kingsleys.

c) Approach the relevant authorities in regards to the fairness of your dismissal.

d) Try and find some of the willow control crews. They are out on the job for up to 3 weeks at a time destroying willows along the waterways. This may only be in NSW, but Canberra is a turd floating in the beautiful ocean of NSW (troll, troll, troll)…

P1, Mt Coree is west…….

If you are a casual I am not sure that there is ‘unfair dismissal’ (not that you shouldnt make queries)

I assume that the boss that turned up is either the store manger (not likely, since they don’t know you that well) or the area manager. Remember that all fast food places have a head office somewhere within Australia. Phone them or email them and explain what happened. It sounds like your boss enjoys being on a power high. Even if you are not going back it is worth the email or phone call, think of all the other employees that will still have to put up with them without their boss ever knowing what goes on. It will be a good reminder to them, even if they are the owner of a franchise.

I think your bigger issue is the fact you were unfairly dismissed.

Your boss has no legal footing to just walk in and sack you without previous warnings of poor work behaviour which may result in dismissal. If you worked a 12 hour day you should have received requisite break times as well.

I’d be calling Fair Work Australia or the Fair Work Ombudsman (there are so many and the system changes all the time so I’m not sure who your best bet is). Alternatively you could take it up with the relevant union (sounds like a job for the SDA mob – but you may not be a member and a lot of fast food joints really clamp down on unionisation because they can’t get away with behaviour like this if their workers knew their rights).

Sure you might just want to walk away too and that’s your choice, but it doesn’t make it right for the people who will fill your position and be treated with equal disdain.

Please, can you even hint at where your work location was – because I don’t want to be visiting such a venue; although it sounds like standard Subway protocol to tell you the truth!!

Good Luck !!

Diggety said :

– Fire Observation Tower (apparently the one near Canberra has a pile of porn higher than most men…)

There are four fire towers in the ACT — One Tree Hill (north of Gungahlin), Kowen Forest, Mt Tennant (south of Tharwa) and Mt Coree (east of Canberra).

Can’t speak for right now, but Coree used to have quite a decent pile-O-porn.

Diggety said :

– Oil/gas rigs (read “Don’t Tell My Mum I work on an Oil Rig, She Thinks I’m a Piano Player in a Whore House” if you need some motivation!

That is a pretty entertaining book, for anyone looking for a light read.

I’m sorry that you are going through this. Some suggested occupations; data entry, the mail sorter idea at Australia Post is a great idea, also sorting out pamphlets at a distribution centre (there is one on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick) or a courier driver.

Are you with a Union who could follow things like that up for you?

Pitchka said :

Name and shame please……… (if okay) as id hate to support a local fast food outlet who doesn’t give a rats ass about its employees!!!’

I second that.

Serious, this has nothing to do with your status as homeless, but rather a very unfortunate run-in with a prick-of-a-boss.

Name and shame please.

A lone job… I just googled “working alone” and came up with this list:
– Librarian
– Editor (as in proofread)
– Survey Researcher (you create surveys, not carry it out)
– Technical writer
– Night watchman
– 24/7 Network monitoring (may require security clearance)

colourful sydney racing identity1:15 pm 21 Oct 10

I may have something coming up that could suit – how can I contact you?

I agree it sounds like unfair dismissal, unless you had previous warnings about similar issues that were warranted it could definitely be worth taking it up with Fair Work or a solicitor.

Also sounds like a case of a really shizen boss, who shouldn’t be a boss.

As for roles with limited supervision, I wouldn’t suggest that is what you need, more of an autonomous job with useful management and some structure and processes around these sorts of things. What about mail sorting for Aus Post? They would surely have better processes in place than your previous employer.

Good luck, I hope you find something you enjoy soon.

Diggety said :

– Fire Observation Tower (apparently the one near Canberra has a pile of porn higher than most men…)

This would be a great job for the summer. Sitting high on mt Coree looking at the 360degree veiws all day.

Sensational.

Look forward Homeless, not back……

Maybe you should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. You are entitled to breaks and yeah it sounds like unfair dismissal.

You could try being a cleaner in a mall at night. Not the greatest job in the world though.

Tetranitrate12:47 pm 21 Oct 10

err yeah I don’t think the problem here is that you’re a loner so much as that the behavior of this boss and a lot of bosses in the hospitality industry is way out of line.

– Fire Observation Tower (apparently the one near Canberra has a pile of porn higher than most men…)
– Oil/gas rigs (read “Don’t Tell My Mum I work on an Oil Rig, She Thinks I’m a Piano Player in a Whore House” if you need some motivation!

Sounds like unfair dismissal to me.
I’m sure there’s more to the story, but…..the evidence of you doing a 12 hour shift is in your favour.

You need to get in touch with Kristy Fraser-Kirk’s lawyers. They seem to do a good job in compensation.

Name and shame please……… (if okay) as id hate to support a local fast food outlet who doesn’t give a rats ass about its employees!!!’

Good luck finding work mate..

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