Fired for dropping the f-bomb (Sep.2005 entry)!

simplyfiredstories submitted 512 days ago

Here's my story, it's more pathetic and ludicris than humorous. Well, I worked in a prison, a place not known for the most polite of language, and I was fired for swearing. Now, I did not swear at the warden or any of the administrative staff, rather I was on the phone in my office with the door closed on a personal call when my office mate opened the door as I was calling my supervisor a "F------ idiot." My supervisor did not hear this statement, only two other snippy women in the office. While this is an established fact about my supervisor (she is a blonde, incompetent, idiot), the powers that be at the facility decided that it was insubordination and gave me that most famous of ultimatums -- quit or be fired. Of course, my reaction was one of shock! To back up in my story a bit, unbeknownst to me, my language was becoming a problem in workplace. Reportedly I was letting f-bombs drop like some B17 mission over Berlin. I had some informal counseling with my supervi
sor over an incident, and I was the unwitting target of a meeting about language, but never did I have any formal disciplinary action against me. Everyone at the prison, including the chaplain, swears at this place and you want to fire me for talking like on of the guards or deputy wardens! Just amazing! With the union's support I have been fighting this action. Never before has anyone been disciplined for profanity -- this is a policy that never been enforced until someone decided that a woman should not talking in this way. Unfortunately, the union and I lost in the grievance process-- the political system as it is, no one dared to cross the warden. Now my case is headed to arbitration full of uncertainty. In addition, I was denied unemplolyment compensation. The whole way through this process, those with authority have upheld the warden's decision to fire me. As stated earlier, politics.... Keep in mind, prison and profanity go together. I was doing what came na
turally in that environment and got canned.

I wish I could have made my story more laughable; I tried. I can find no way to turn this situation into something funny. I am angry, bitter, and betrayed and I got fired in February. I liked my work. I did good work. I may not have always liked my co-workers and the inmates were usually the best part of the job. I have had my livelihood taken away from me because two snippy broads in my office took offense to my saying the best word in the english language! xxxx!

Oh, can I add that they posted my job on-line the day before they fired me and weeks before posting it internally? Remember -- Politics -- a game that I don't play well....guess I'd better learn.