I was dismissed in December for posting about some free work that I was doing on my own time that the company deemed was in direct conflict with theirs.

Anonymous

April 18,2023 at 3:28PM UTC

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I was dismissed in December for posting about some free work that I was doing on my own time that the company deemed was in direct conflict with theirs. I've had several interviews and have a few more over the next few weeks, but no offers. I'm also trying to launch my own business, I've never been fired and to be done so for something the organization had previously not considered an issue that became one (but not in writing) really broke me. I'm trying to figure out if my corporate trauma is leading me to not go back just yet, but my back account is yelling very loudly. My husband is also not supportive as he calls my entrepreneurship endeavors an expensive habit. Any tips on how to balance and not feel as if I'm putting myself into a bad situation overall? I feel either way I'm miserable.

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AnonymousApril 18,2023 at 5:14PM UTC
Out of curiosity, when you say you are trying to launch your own business, please just tell me it's not a MLM. If it is, I could understand your husband's take on it.
Jennifer WeaverApril 19,2023 at 7:14PM UTC
Not all MLM's are bad.
JessicaApril 19,2023 at 3:51AM UTC
I was recently fired also! First time in my life and for what they called "Poor Performance" is laughable. I don't want to go back to the grind and feel the entrepreneurial call also. I was looking today at spending money on something to help me make more money and then reminded myself that there are things that I can do that cost no money to make money. We have to be realistic with ourselves at some point. What is your business? Is it something that needs time to grow?
AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 7:13PM UTC
I was fired after taking a half day for my mental health after being verbally abused by our CEO. Rumor mill said they fired me because they thought I had an interview. No previous write-ups/issues - just out the door. I would have hoped a reasonable person would have coached me or had a conversation. I am in therapy because it is very traumatic. Job searching is no fun and to answer the question "why were you let go" causes me to hesitate. So just know that you are not alone. If your husband doesn't support you, find other people that will. Reaching out here was a good thing.
AnonymousApril 19,2023 at 7:24PM UTC
My philosophy is to keep your private life and that includes any side work private. Companies these days only have their best interest in mind, not their employees. Everyone should do the same, look out for yourself.
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
This recently happened to someone where I work. It was not in direct conflict with their business but the owners literally said why aren't they using that skill here, if they have so much time to do extra work why aren't they giving it to us, then told them how poorly the optics look. It was shocking. I'm still there but exiting soon. I feel awful for them and have not looked at the owners the same since then.
I suppose my point is, this is many companies' pov, I've seen a lot in the industry I work in. If your own work is important to you, I would push to pursue it if at all possible. To work at these places it feels like you have to deny an important part of yourself as they refuse to see the difference or nuance in their work vs yours.
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 4:35PM UTC
Your personal life should drive the decisions you make here. Clearly your husband is mildly supportive of your dreams and unless you figure that out find an employer where the conflict of interest statement in their employee handbook does not lead you down a path of conflict of interest. Have you spoken to an employment attorney about the December termination? If you have read your employee handbook from that company and they do not say anything about those conflicts then perhaps you might have a case for reinstatement. If not then just chalk this up to experience. Contact your SBA association locally and see if they have a mentor that could help you to either firm up your dream business with you and their help and guidance or convince you that it is not a viable entity now. Fear not a new employer, and if you do side gigging keep it on the down low as long as it does not get you out of another role.