"How to get fired for what your boss insisted you do" Topic

The last two years I worked as part time(12 hours per week by contract, much more in reality) school administrator for a tiny Orthodox Jewish Girls high school. I was responsible for everything not directly Jewish, my boss, a decent enough Rabbi is Headmaster. Delivering a full high school course load with an enrollment of 16 is challenging. All teachers are essentially part time adjuncts and paid a fraction of what public school pays.

Last year we needed an advanced science. The Rabbi decided it should be Chemistry (I had responsibility not authority). I spent the whole summer last year trying to find a candidate. We had a number of young males – they were not acceptable. A handful of women that ended up balking at the pay. A week before the start of school, I had no real viable candidates. I pleaded to offer AP psychology taught by an existing teacher the girls liked. This was also the course the girls really wanted. The Rabbi disagrees with the teacher's worldview (he is rightwing like myself, she is leftwing) and refused to have her teach the girls about how the brain works.
Finally I get a Retired Egyptian Chemistry professor. He knows his stuff, but English is his third language. The Rabbi insisted I hire him so we can have chemistry.

Chemistry is hard and the girls did not like the work load. I would go in and understand exactly what he was teaching and how he was getting there. The girls complained all year. Even though they would not do the practice questions. It seemed like they were trying to fail to spite him and us. At the end of the year I arranged for an outside tutor to run review sessions. Ultimately the girls all passed the state chemistry final and did better than the results from the last "excellent" teacher.

At the end of the year I was let go due to my hiring decisions. The nice thing was that I don't have to worry about trying to find teachers for next year. Also because it was abrupt and they waited until I had to clear out my office (I supplied my own laptop and printer) I did not have a chance to turn over info on all the state reports and processes that I took care of.

Ultimately – not my problem now

So, good luck. Go out there and get a better job.
Soon the old boss, or her representative, will ask for the info you left with. I say dump it if you haven't already. And sharpen up that middle finger.

I have been laid off twice with no notice and no severance pay. The former boss had one of his minions call and ask me questions about keys, passwords, how things work, etc. I told them I no longer worked there and it was not my job to train my replacement after I left. I told them if they wanted to hire me back at my old rate of pay or better, I would return. They declined.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

It's hard to work for idiots. But you knew that.

No one is as deaf as the man who will not listen.

I hear yea Jlundberg.
I have been laid off twice in 2 years.
Last company was a complete shambles and I told them everything I was doing to correct the issues. The previous guy pencil whipped everything. Of course, Jan 2nd I get termed because they were not happy that I fired people for theft and other "silly issues". Had my replacement in training for 4 months under the radar too!
Prior company the boss let me go and I stupidly told them that the manager at night was on vacation. I should have kept my mouth shut and watch the fun. Got a lot of calls from employees for info on how to do ex. I sent them a bill for consulting work :)
Hang in there and look for something better.

Sorry to hear your story, but hiring on political view points or gender and you are surprised at the results?

Should have just recommended the best teacher for the job that would work for that level of pay.

Difficult for me to see how chemistry could involve politics or a teacher's world view. The gender part just makes me wonder what someone imagines the world is that these young women live in or will.

All of us get axed sooner or later for things outside our control if we're unlucky. Years ago I pointed out dishonest behavior by a supervisor and suffered the results. Not fair, but the way it works. Hang in there and you'll be good.

Dan

Twas't the Chemistry teacher's politics at issue, it was the psychology teacher that the Rabbi refused to use – pushing me into the only candidate for chemistry.
I still have my other part time teaching gig, though I remain semi actively looking.

Am sorry as I know how it goes.

Hang in there and remember the mantra…"I'm better off out of that place".

Say it enough times and not only is it true, you'll feel better.

Dan

The trick is to get your boss fired for what they insisted you do… Also described as 'Carrying out orders to the letter, with malice aforethought.'