Don't Get Caught Off Guard: Top 10 Warning Signs You're About to Be Fired

Let's talk about getting fired. It's not exactly a fun topic, but it's important to be aware of the warning signs that you might be in danger of losing your job.?

Maybe your workload suddenly lightened up, or your boss has been acting weird around you. Perhaps you feel like your coworkers are avoiding you, or you're just feeling burnt out and disengaged at work.?

In this article, I’ll go over the top 10 warning signs you're about to be fired, so you can stay ahead of the curve. Plus, I'll share some tips for staying proactive and prepared in case you do end up losing your job. Let's get started!

1. Work just got a lot easier

If you’ve been working at a company for a while, you’re probably familiar with the workload and expectations that come with your position. So, if you suddenly find yourself with a lot less work to do, it’s important to take notice and ask yourself why.

Your boss may be reassigning tasks to other employees or outsourcing them altogether, which could be a sign that they’re preparing to let you go. Alternatively, it’s possible that they’re not assigning you as much work because they don’t trust you to complete it or don’t see a future for you in the company.

2. Or it feels like the work is impossible to manage

In some cases, it could be a matter of a heavy workload or a temporary increase in responsibilities. However, if the work you've been assigned is unmanageable or impossible to complete, it's possible that your boss is setting you up to fail.

Your boss may be piling on work to create a situation where they can justify terminating your employment. This can be a difficult situation to navigate, but it's important to stay calm and address any concerns you have with your supervisor.

3. Your boss wants to meet you one on one suspiciously often

While it's not uncommon to have one-on-one meetings with your boss from time to time, especially for feedback or performance reviews, an increase in these meetings could be a red flag.?

If your boss is suddenly requesting to meet with you more often than usual and is being vague about the purpose of these meetings, it's important to take notice and be prepared for the worst.

In some cases, your boss may be giving you a chance to improve your performance, but in other cases, they may be building a case against you in order to terminate your employment. If you're not sure why your boss is scheduling these meetings, it's important to ask for clarification and get ahead of any potential issues.

4. Your boss has become strangely distant

As an employee, you rely on your boss for guidance, feedback, and support. So, if you've suddenly noticed a change in your boss's behavior towards you, it's important to take notice and consider the possible reasons behind it.

Your boss may be avoiding interactions with you or failing to respond to your emails or messages, which could be a sign that they're preparing to terminate your employment.?

Alternatively, they may be giving you the cold shoulder because they're unhappy with your performance or behavior.

5. Your coworkers seem to be avoiding you

One possible reason for your coworkers' behavior is that they're aware of your imminent termination and are uncomfortable or unsure how to approach you.?

Alternatively, they may be avoiding you because they're unhappy with your performance or behavior and don't want to confront you directly.

On the other hand, while changes in your coworkers' behavior towards you can be a warning sign that you're about to be fired, but it's not always the case. Stay calm, be proactive, and seek out solutions to any concerns you may have about your employment.

6. They stopped inviting you to important meetings

Meetings are essential for coworkers to share information, collaborate on projects, and make important decisions. If you're not being included in these gatherings, it may indicate that your presence or contributions are no longer valued or necessary.

There could be several reasons for this. Maybe your boss or coworkers feel that you're not performing at the level they expect, or they may be discussing sensitive information that they don't want you to be aware of.

Alternatively, your role or responsibilities may have changed, and you're no longer needed in these meetings. It doesn’t always have to mean that you’re about to be fired.?

7. Someone with the same skillset has just been hired

When a company hires someone with the same skill set as an existing employee, it's usually a sign that they're looking for a replacement or an upgrade.?

While it's possible that the new hire is being brought on for a different role or project,

if you've recently learned that someone with the same skillset as you has been hired, it could be a warning sign that your employer is planning to let you go.?

This could be particularly concerning if your company is going through a period of financial hardship, restructuring, or downsizing.?

In some cases, employers may hire new employees to replace existing ones in an effort to cut costs or streamline operations. This may indicate that your employer is looking to replace you with someone who can do the same job at a lower cost.?

8. Your mistakes or slacking off no longer matter

If you've noticed that your employer no longer seems to care about your work quality, it could be a warning sign that your job is at risk. If you have a history of making mistakes or missing deadlines, your boss may have previously given you warnings or feedback on how to improve.?

However, if you're now finding that your mistakes are going unnoticed or that your boss is no longer holding you accountable for your work, it could indicate that your employer is considering letting you go.

9. You feel burnt out and you hate your job anyway

If you're feeling burnt out and disengaged from your work, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do your best job. While everyone experiences a bad day or a period of low motivation, if you find yourself consistently feeling drained, disinterested, or unhappy at work, it could be a sign that you're about to be fired.

Employers want to keep employees who are motivated, productive, and engaged in their work. If you're not meeting these criteria, your employer may start to consider other options.

10. You’re looking for signs you’re about to be fired

Are you constantly on edge, wondering if you're about to get the axe? Do you find yourself looking for any signs that you might be on the chopping block? If so, it's possible that your gut is telling you something.?

Trust your instincts and pay attention to any warning signs that might be cropping up in your workplace. As we've discussed in this article, there are a variety of red flags that could indicate that your job is in jeopardy. Don't ignore them — instead, use them as motivation to start taking action and making a plan for what to do next.?

What should you do if you feel like you’re about to be fired??

If you notice any warning signs that you might be at risk of getting fired, don't ignore them.?

It's important to be proactive and take action early, whether that means seeking support from your employer, addressing any performance issues, or even looking for a new job. Ignoring the signs can often lead to a more stressful and uncertain outcome.

Even if you're not seeing any warning signs, it's always a good idea to be prepared for the possibility of getting terminated. I recommend keeping your skills up-to-date, networking with other professionals in your industry, and making sure your resume and cover letter are always ready to go. It's better to be prepared than caught off guard.

Remember that getting fired isn't the end of the world. It can be a difficult and stressful experience, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and a chance to reassess your career goals.?