5 Common Reasons Why People Get Fired and How to Avoid Them

Getting fired from a company can dent your professional image. Honestly, it's not easy when the boss gives you some 20 minutes to box up your stuff and have a security personal escort you out of the building. Not only it adds to embarrassment, but also can have negative effects on the career. While layoffs are common when the company wants employees with upgraded skills or there is cost-cutting going on, being fired is disturbing.

Common Reasons Why People Get Fired and How to Avoid Them 

People tend to do weird things at work, which actually should be avoided. They think there is no one spying, and it's completely okay to do it just because they see someone else do it. However, this is a false notion! Every little thing you do at the company is being noticed, scrutinized and taken note of. While under performance is the major reason to get fired,

Avoid doing these things at workplace If you want to save your job :

1. Stealing Office Stuff :

Just like the company's desktop, office equipment does not belong to you. Thinking that no one will notice a stack of papers you take home every weekend? Or stuffing your pockets with tea bags and snacks available in the pantry? Some people do it to compensate the low pay. But taking what is not yours will definitely be considered as an offense. When the senior management sees it, they are bound to take strict actions and therefore, it's best to play safe if you value the job more than your petty requirements.

2. Being dishonest to boss or clients : 

As the adage says, 'Honesty is the best policy', lying about projects when deadlines are close can get you on the wrong side of boss. Misleading clients when the project has not even started or when your team has not resolved an issue can severely impact the trust they had put in your firm. As a result, the client would think twice before investing money again. Similarly, giving an excuse of being admitted in a hospital when you are uploading photos of sun bathing on a beach can be a red flag. Speaking truth will help you face the consequences with confidence.

3. Domineering or harassing a coworker : 

You might have been a bully at school, but this would not be taken lightly by any employer. Commenting on someone's clothes or passing snide remarks about a colleague who is overweight is an intolerable act. Also, getting flirty with a new employee in the office or speaking derogatory things that make people uncomfortable might be enough to throw you out. If the hiring manager gets a wind of it, he or she is definitely not going to take more than a few minutes to fire you. Hence, read the employee handbook one more time and stringent actions in the sexual harassment policy to keep your actions in check.

4. Procrastinating assigned tasks :

Having a rough day at the work once in a blue moon when the motivation is at the lowest is completely normal. However, pretending not to be fruitful all the time and not completing assigned work on time just because your boss passed humiliating comments in last month's meeting can also be a danger. If you are delaying assigned duties and the entire team is struggling to meet the client requirements because of your lazy attitude, the boss is surely not going to waste time. Ask for an extended deadline to put things right but never spend days doing no work at all.

5. Calling in sick or coming late often :

Sick leaves and casual offs are present for a reason. A viral flu or a family issue is totally understandable and could be approved by supervisor. However, if you start calling in sick every alternate day, it would catch the manager's attention. Also, if you are someone who always signs in 5 minutes after the permitted time, this too is going to get noticed. Giving lame excuses or blaming traffic each time is not a good idea. Be punctual at the office and take off only when there is a genuine reason. Employers like to have reliable and committed people in their team.

Firing an employee is not a win-win situation for the person as well as an employer as they have invested efforts and time in it. Training a new person for the required skill set is also time-consuming and might delay a high-priority project. Hence, to save your job, watch your actions and take preventive steps in advance before it gets too late.