By Ouka - 27/05/2015 09:18 - Germany

Today, I had to write my own notice for enforced redundancy because my boss just went on a two week vacation. He told me to just forge his signature and that, if I wouldn't do it, he'd just make something up to dismiss me on codes of conduct. FML
I agree, your life sucks 27 913
You deserved it 2 090

Ouka_fml tells us more.

Ouka_fml 7

OP here :) First of all, thank you all for your advice! I'm afraid though, that it's a rather small company (around 10 full time employees) so we don't have an HR departement. I'm not sure about the difference between "being fired" and "being laid off", but my situation could be described as: "being fired because my company decided to save some money and that they didn't need someone on the position I'm currently working at." Here in Germany we get ALG (Arbeitslosengeld, roughly translates to "unemployment money") for a year after working for at least two years. It's around 60% of the persons original salary. The catch is: you only get it, if you're fired or quit for (very) good reasons (harassment, threats, etc.). If you quit without one of those reasons you don't get anything for 1-3 months. Also you don't get it for 3 months if you're fired because of anything you did (stealing, forgery...) So it's a tricky situation right now. I wrote my boss an email explaining most of the things you stated (that I feel uncomfortable forging his signature, for example) and asking whether it wasn't possible for me to just write the notice and have him sign it as soon as he's back. This way I have to set the date back, because I can only be fired with a 2 months' notice which isn't stricly legal, but he agreed to it. He isn't really that bad of a person, actually that whole idea came from HIS boss and he was just the unlucky messenger. So yeah, I'm going to write the notice and put it on his desk to sign once he gets back and hope, the whole mess turns out alright.

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Top comments

darwinism 30

Write and sign a notice for his early retirement and pop that in the post while you are at it. FYL

241 2
musicnole 8

Sounds like a great boss...maybe you should forge his signature on the approval for your resignation?

196 5

Comments

praesidiem 16

I can't find the "well, that sucks button"???? Maybe I'll just vote, "I agree, your life sucks" instead.

11 56
tj4234 35

you do that #26. Whilst we're at it, maybe I'll just thumb you down.

5 20
praesidiem 16

First time being buried. RIP.

7 19
sunnyskys 25

I need pop~corn! I'll try not to burn it over the roasted #26 lol no hard feelings..I hope. *slaps* the "That was easy button!"

4 6
praesidiem 16

#61 I wouldn't call it "roasting", I was just being sarcastic and apparently it was shit. I'm getting a good laugh out of being buried, so oh well. Rest In Peace my comments.

1 9
Schala360 27

#26 I cant find the 'go get a haircut you American prick' button I'll just give you my middle finger

0 1
Ethan_Anonymous 28

Pretty sure you can take that to court OP

77 4
Wizardo 33

I'm sure you could report this to some HR board or something. This sounds unethical and illegal as shit.

86 1
musicnole 8

Sounds like a great boss...maybe you should forge his signature on the approval for your resignation?

196 5
HighasaCloud 46

Why in the world would OP resign now? Being laid off can provide severance benefits depending on the job and quitting won't give OP shit.

30 0
sunnyskys 25

ORRRR....even better your the new manager!! His ass 'down the the toilet', kodos!

1 5
PencilTips 19

If the business is forced to make him redundant it isn't the fault of the boss but of the business, for example using machines instead of people... the business has no use for as many people so they are made redundant and are given a notice and compensation until they can get back on their feet.

0 1
darwinism 30

Write and sign a notice for his early retirement and pop that in the post while you are at it. FYL

241 2
Pingvinai 37

Something tells me that even if you got fired, it'd be a blessing in disguise considering the kind of boss he is.

24 0
MrConcise 34

You had to write your own notice for enforced redundancy. Your boss threatened to fire you if you didn't forge his signature. Redundant enough?

36 1
davisjenny81 30

Sorry, I'm kinda dumb. What's enforced redundancy? I googled it but it didn't really make sense

10 1
MrConcise 34

#16 - I'm actually not sure myself, but based upon context, I'm guessing it's that the person in question was trained to do things multiple time, thus legally alleviating responsibility from the company they work for and taking responsibility for themselves, since they were taught to "double check" everything they do. That could be a home run or an air ball, hopefully somebody else will clarify for us.

2 10
Liyuesigs 8

Sounds to me like he was ordered to write his own termination letter.

18 0
MrConcise 34

#24 - Ahh, that could be it. Enforced redundancy could be a resignation letter in which the COMPANY is faulted because the employee feels they've overhired for the position, and he's basically treading water without enough to do each day. So, it's a way for the employee to earn some benefits, similar to a firing except more extravagant, but still be able to quit since it was the fault of the company in the first place for overestimating what it needed.

2 8
kmaheynoway 25

Or, you know, you could Google it instead of guessing.

4 27
chinaski7628 32

"Redundancy" is what we Americans call "laid off". If OP's position is redundant, the company either eliminated OP's job or is downsizing OP's department. It's technically being terminated, except OP is being let go because the job no longer exists, not because of OP's job performance. It's always better to be laid off than fired-- there is usually a severance package and the chance for a good recommendation for another job.

28 0
kmaheynoway 25

Here, I did it for you: "Employees are typically made redundant as a result of their employer needing to reduce its workforce or because the job they do is no longer required. This usually happens because a company needs to slash costs in times of hardship – or even because new technology has made employing someone unnecessary."

16 4
MrConcise 34

How dare people use their analytical skills to break down definitions based upon context and base words instead of taking the easy route?

22 6
ajm262 10

I'm American and I've never heard the term used.

21 4
kmaheynoway 25

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude. I was trying to say that there's no point guessing in the context of FML, as it will often just lead to being down voted if you guessed wrong. Once again, sorry for coming off as rude, as that was not my intention.

7 4
MrConcise 34

Not here for upvotes, just to comment what I think. Couldn't care less if I get buried.

6 7
RedPillSucks 31

what does being an American have to do with anything? OP is in Germany

7 4
chinaski7628 32

Sorry-- that was poorly worded. I meant that in America, we call it being laid off, while Europeans tend to call it redundancy. Commenting before coffee is not cool.

8 1
MrConcise 34

Oh, that explains why I didn't know what it was. It's the international equivalent of laid off. So I was almost correct the second time, then. Company overhiring for their needs and downsizing, although not with more benefits than an actual firing.

2 2
Daibar 3

sounds like a visit to HR would be a good place to start. first of all, he's asking you to commit a crime, because i'm pretty sure that the idea of you signing his name is not legal in germany either. second, he's threatning you with unlawful dismissal. so you know you'er going down, the big question is.. how are you going to go down? i'd go to HR and explain the situation. at best, he'll be fired at worst, you'll be fired, but that was the idea to begin with, so see this as a chance to see if the company you're working for is worth anything. if they are, you'll be rewarded but will get some shit for a while. if not, you're lucky to be rid of them. either way you'll win. just hang in there and remember to get legal counsil / perhaps if you are in a union, get the rep to sit in with you when you go to HR with the issue. good luck OP

28 3
Mhubba123 9

#9 the op is not being fired they are being laid off so filing a hr report would get the op possibly fired and lose all of the severance package

0 3
Dinonick 15

If it was in an email or text, OP could probably win in court, at least in the US. Not sure if wrongful termination is a thing in Germany.

13 0
renrioku 15

18, there are laws governing wrongful termination in most countries. At the same time though I know some states in the US also do not have them in place, such as Oklahoma is called an "at will" state, meaning they can let you go at any time without reason. Hopefully OP is not in a position where this is the case and could take it to court.

3 1