5 Reasons Workers Get Fired

Employees get fired for a wide range of reasons, often due to poor job-related behavior. When you understand the common reasons for employee termination, it's easier to avoid them and increase job security.

Lying About Qualifications

Lying on your resume or application might seem harmless when you're hunting for a job, but it can lead to an employee termination if your employer discovers the deception. Big lies, such as listing college degrees you did not earn or falsely claiming you have no felony convictions, are obvious ways to get fired. Small fibs can also have big consequences. It might not seem like a big deal to add "Expert-level Photoshop skills" to your resume, but if Photoshop tasks makes up 75 percent of your workload, it won't take long for your employer to realize you lied and conclude you can't handle the job.

Harassment

Harassing colleagues, partners or clients is a surefire way to get fired. Sexual harassment is the most visible form; assault, trading sexual favors for promotions, unwanted touches and unwelcome flirting can all lead to job loss. To stay safe and avoid accidental inappropriate behavior, keep all of your business interactions completely professional. Bullying is another fireable offense. Each company's definition of bullying varies, but it's always best to avoid shouting, intimidation, threats, sabotage and aggressive behavior.

Poor Performance

Businesses rely on their employees to perform well. If you consistently deliver low-quality work, arrive late or fail to meet deadlines, your employer might have cause to fire you. Don't worry if you made a single mistake or turned in one below-standard project; most employers opt to provide warnings, training and other assistance to protect their investment. However, if you demonstrate a pattern of poor performance that doesn't improve, you can easily get fired.

Bad Client Relations

Happy customers have a direct impact on a business' bottom line. Employees who cannot maintain positive client relations are at risk of getting fired. If you lie to customers, behave rudely at meetings or make offensive comments, you become a liability to your company. One offense is not likely to be a serious issue, especially if you apologize or salvage the relationship, but if you alienate an important client or repeatedly irritate customers, you might find yourself without a job.

Poor Teamwork

A business runs best with a collegial, cooperative staff, so one way to get fired is to be a poor team player. Some examples of poor teamwork include infighting, a constant bad attitude, refusing to share knowledge and failing to carry your weight. In some cases, the problem originates in a personality mismatch. If your mannerisms and style frustrate or anger your co-workers, it can be impossible to work as a team. To avoid this problem, make a point to demonstrate respect and embrace open communication. This strategy helps air frustrations before they cause rifts and makes it easier for each person to adjust his style to suit the group dynamic.

In many cases, you have the power to change problem behaviors before you get fired. By staying self-aware and always seeking to improve your work ethic, you can reduce the risk of involuntary termination and become an important part of the team.

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