Lisa O
It’s funny how hearing “you’re fired” can catch people off guard. Most people are shocked as it came out of the blue. Yet, there are often many signs beforehand that hint it might happen. It’s like seeing clearly in hindsight. But you don’t have to wait until it’s too late. Here are the top 15 warning signs you are about to get fired.
Work suddenly lightens up
In a well-run company, new tasks keep coming without pause. If you find yourself with very little to do, it could mean your boss is assigning your work to someone else they think can do it better. This is a strong signal that you could be on the verge of getting fired. So, don’t assume your boss suddenly became nicer overnight—this could be part of planning for your departure.
Tasks become overwhelming and nearly impossible
Employers sometimes use a sneaky tactic to fire people by giving them overwhelming tasks that are nearly impossible to complete. Sometimes, managers do this under the guise of giving you a chance to prove yourself. Other times—they just set you up to fail. They wait for you to make a mistake so they have a reason to fire you.
Your boss starts keeping their distance.
Whether your boss starts monitoring your every move or suddenly seems distant, abrupt changes in behavior are usually a red flag. If you sense tension from your superiors whenever they interact with you, take it seriously—it could be a sign you’re on the chopping block. Forbes calls this ‘quiet firing,’ a trendy term for a common workplace tactic where employers create unfavorable conditions to push out unwanted employees.
Coworkers seem to avoid interacting with you
Similar to how kids avoid the outcasts on the playground, some colleagues tend to keep their distance from coworkers who are facing challenges (like being fired). It’s almost like they’ve picked up on something—perhaps rumors about your impending dismissal have circulated, leading them to interact with you cautiously, unsure of how to approach the situation.
Your boss requests frequent one-on-one meetings
Your boss starts wanting to meet with you one-on-one way more often, especially if that wasn’t the norm before. If you thought it was a good thing, think again. It’s a sign of a boss who’s getting very demanding, always checking in and pushing for quick results. They might be losing confidence in your work. Why else would they micromanage everything you do?
You’re excluded from important meetings
When you’re on the edge of getting fired, managers start to think you’re not that valuable anymore. If they really cared about your ideas, they wouldn’t be thinking about letting you go. Plus, they might start keeping things super secretive—leaving you out of the loop in those crucial meetings where all the big decisions get made. It’s like they don’t want to fill you in on the important stuff anymore.
Someone with similar skills gets hired unexpectedly
Someone with the same skills as you just got hired, and there wasn’t even a new position open. Clearly, the company doesn’t want to let you go without having someone ready to take over your role. It’s not uncommon for your job to quietly appear online months before you’re officially let go. They might even ask you to train your replacement. It’s tough, but that’s just how things sometimes play out in the real world.
You receive mediocre performance reviews
Getting mediocre performance reviews is a bit like being told you’re ‘nice.’ It’s not necessarily bad, but it hints that you might be seen as replaceable. Bosses often give these reviews to employees they’re not planning to keep. So, if your boss keeps saying your work is just okay or nice, it could be a big sign that your job is at risk.
Deadlines converge around the same time
If you’re finding it stressful to juggle all your deadlines at once, there’s a silver lining: the pressure is about to ease off. This often signals they’ve already planned when to let you go. It’s a typical approach to have you wrap up your tasks before officially informing you that your services are no longer needed.
Your boss avoids you and directly communicates with your team
When your boss starts chatting directly with your team instead of you, that’s a major red flag. It could mean they don’t see your role as crucial anymore, or maybe they’re unsure about your ability to handle things. It might also suggest they’re grooming someone else to take over. Whatever the reason might be, it’s a sign your job could be at risk.
Rumors circulate about financial troubles in the company
When a company faces financial difficulties, everyone’s job becomes uncertain. In tough times, both individual roles and entire departments that aren’t profitable are often the first to face cuts. In times of recession, it’s very common for companies to downsize their workforce. So whenever the market takes a hit—your job could be at risk due to the company’s financial struggles.
Your mistakes are scrutinized more than usual
Your past mistakes and slacking off don’t seem to matter anymore. Wondering why? Because those are the very reasons your boss is considering firing you in the first place—they’re already aware of them. Now they’re just scrutinizing even minor slip-ups. The more they can point to, the easier it becomes to justify letting you go.
A new boss takes over with potential restructuring
If your old boss got fired for not performing well, the arrival of new leadership often means big changes are coming. Even if you’re ready to go along with the new boss’s plans, they might see you as too tied to the old ways. That could mean you end up getting shown the door.
Your achievements go unnoticed
If your accomplishments are never acknowledged, it’s a tricky situation. Many bosses downplay your role to boost their own image. But what if you were once the star employee? When they ignore even major achievements that benefit the whole company, it’s a red flag. And if you start getting warnings instead of recognition, it’s definitely time to worry.
Requests for a transfer, raise, or promotion are denied
If you’ve been a strong performer with a solid track record, you deserve recognition. Asking for a raise or promotion should warrant an explanation from your employer, at the very least. When they don’t provide one, it’s usually a bad sign. And if you get a flat-out denial, that’s even worse—you might want to start packing your desk.