Bibendum

Reading this thread is really not filling me with joy at all... I work for a large american oil company and this "hire and fire" mentality is rife in the states, I didn't realise it was as bad in Canada.

I think the answer to this is to become self employed?!

jeshas

Did you recently (post financial crisis) try to apply for a job in Europe?

ExKiwilass

It took me ages to get a call for an interview for current job. Weeks. I'd given up on them and figured they had screened me out at the resume stage. Turns out I was wrong.

They are swamped with resumes. For example, the company had a entry level admin job advertised which would only last a few months, and got 200+ resumes which the manager then had to wade through while doing his other work. So those people won't be getting a call for a while either.

I'm kinda surprised how many resumes they got for a temp job.

ExKiwilass

I don't know about that. Again, I know very few people who have been fired the way it seems on this thread. On the other hand, people on contracts may well get let go once their contract is up - that seemed to be common at Previous Job.

J0n35y

I have in Scotland. I went for an informal chat 4 weeks ago about a potential job and they called back 2 days later saying there was a job for me if I fancied it. I wasnt even aware there was a proper interview! Incidently, there have been delays - my boss to be was on a lengthy holiday in Vancouver coincidently - but my experience from deciding to job hunt to getting a job offer lasted a little over 2 weeks.

Everyone and everywhere is different and Im sure some people have had a nightmare during the past 18 months looking for work all over the world.

Plus, and Im making a generalisation here, I suppose people are far more inclined to write about their bad experiences than good. The hire and fire culture is just something to be accepted. It isnt enough to scare me off from the move over.

jandro

I've seen a number of people walked to the door by HR. When asked why he was leaving one guy said "It's just business" as he was escorted out the door. Even the CEO was let go with practically no notice. Many of those let go had been with the company for a number of years.

scrubbedexpat091

I work a seasonal job every Christmas for a retailer, and manage one of their seasonal stores, I had 5 positions this past December, 5 week job, 8.50/hr 10-15 hours a week.

I got over 300 applications/resumes from people. It was crazy.

wheatsheaf

"think like me, dress like me, talk like me or you are outta here". That's the new canadian corporate 'it's just business' philosophy.

Auld Yin

So what would you have the company do? Tell the employee/CEO that the company's downsizing/doesn't have a place for them anymore/you are not performing, but you are permitted to hang around, do your thing, including sabotage and compiling a list of our clients to take/sell to competitors.
It is definitely not a nice process but it is a fact of life. It is just business!!!

dormy

The only way to ensure security is do not offer an opinion, do not differ from their opinion and for god sake do not suggest a better way to do something, that just ends in the highway!

wheatsheaf

The normal practice is if a person is not performing, or is unethical, or does not meet company and customer expectations, that they are 'let go'. This is not in dispute at all. The point is where none of the above applies, but instead the person 'let go' speaks up at a juncture when the employer is continually ignoring widely accepted reality.

Auld Yin

If one wants job security then go and teach or work in the civil service. If you (the Royal one) get a cold shoulder from the employer when suggesting changes then take the hint and move on to another employer or shut the f*** up. The employer pays the bills and, as such, is entitled to do things as he sees fit within the confines of law. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets oil but sometimes it's better/easier to replace it.

dormy

Its the "open door" policy that trips us up, one is continually invited to use it but god forbid anyone that does, the "open door" usually leads to the "exit door".

ExKiwilass

Well, it depends on the company doesn't it.

That happens the world over. It happened to a friend of mine in Australia...it happens.

Pammy

Definately, thats why I started my own business, I found the people I worked with to be real bit**es, they guys were cool but the women made life difficult and of course the boss was a woman so I was screwed

Dont know about anyone eles but I find Canadian woman to be weird, princessy and annoying the way they talk with that elevated voice thing