I Was Unfairly Fired Today

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

Okay, this is kind of a long story so if you don't want to hear it, stop reading now.

I was fired from my job today. (Saturday Feb. 7). The job was a car wash. Today is/was payday. I was scheduled to work at 1:30 pm this afternoon. So my plan was to go in early, get my check, go back home, change, eat and go in to work. Well I got there about noon to get my check and one of the managers, Kurt, approached me and told me I had been terminated.

Okay...pause for a second...here is what happened...I am not slanting this at all to make myself look good, this is REALLY what happened:

The night before, (Friday Feb. 6), myself and 3 other employees were closing. Upon closing, I was approached by a fellow employee named Tolik. He is from Ukraine and does not speak English well. He is learning, but still does not know much. He made a motion with his hand that I didn't understand so I asked, "What?" He then said, "where tire shine?" Tire shine is something we do for customers with a coupon for it, it is basically armor-all and we brush their tires with it. Everyday it is outside and every night we bring it inside to close up. So anyway he asked me where it was, (which is weird because it's always in the same place) so I JOKINGLY, and I stress jokingly, replied, "it's up my ass." That's it. That's all that happened. Tolik did not appear angry or offended. He even laughed, as I recall. Everyone proceeded to close up and I went home not knowing or thinking anything was wrong.

So flash back to today, Kurt (one of the managers) told me I was fired and that I needed to turn in my pullover to get my pay, and that I could call Al, the owner, if I wanted, to try and rectify the situation.

So I went home to pick up the pullover. While there, I called Al and admitted what I had said and stated that it was out of line that I should be terminated for such a thing. He proceeded to go absolutely APESHIT and literally started yelling and swearing at me over the phone, "That's MY call to make! Do you understand me?! You don't fucking tell me that!" Etc, etc. So I hung up on him. Then I drove back to the car wash, gave Kurt the pullover and got my pay. And that's pretty much it.

Now, I thought about this long and hard and quite honestly feel that it's complete and utter bullshit. I mean c'mon guys, we're talking about a CAR WASH! A bunch of guys working at a car wash...everyone jokes around and swears, it's totally normal. And yet I was singled out and fired for it. There's no real reason to be fired unless you do something HUGE or steal something. I was a good employee...I worked hard and was never late. It seemed that a lot of people had it out for me since Day 1. I don't know if it was jealousy or what.

Anyways, I'm pretty much over it now but it's the principle of what happened that gets to me. So I will be writing an anonymous letter to the I.R.S. reporting Al because he pays his employees under the table which is illegal. He's illegally avoiding taxes and screwing the government.

I have a good mind to call him up and tell him off but I don't want to stoop to his level. Think writing the I.R.S. will do just fine. Also considering taking this to small claims court...because like I said, it's illegal to pay employees under the table.

Wobbie · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Okay, this is kind of a long story

You're right.....that was a long story!

Seriously, It's obvious from reading your narrative that you're a sharp kid. You can definitely do better than the carwash. To steal an old cliche.....make lemonade from lemons. Good luck!

flywallyfly · February 2009

I think the IRS has an anonymous tipline where you can get a reward for turning the asshole in. Get a little revenge AND some cash !!

soulsinging · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

There's no real reason to be fired unless you do something HUGE or steal something.

This is why the American economy is in the shitter. Talk about feeling entitled. I also have found in my work experience that people that complain that their coworkers are out to get them are usually slackers.

Also, tip for the future. Never tell your boss that he's out of line, especially when you've been fired. Maybe next time you ought to try apologizing and saying that you're sorry for using inappropriate language. True or not, it's what he wanted to hear. Though nothing in your story indicates that's actually the reason he fired you.

That said, have fun with the IRS. Just make sure they don't come after you if he was paying you under the table too

SPEEDY MCCREADY · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Okay, this is kind of a long story so if you don't want to hear it, stop reading now.

I was fired from my job today. (Saturday Feb. 7). The job was a car wash. Today is/was payday. I was scheduled to work at 1:30 pm this afternoon. So my plan was to go in early, get my check, go back home, change, eat and go in to work. Well I got there about noon to get my check and one of the managers, Kurt, approached me and told me I had been terminated.

Okay...pause for a second...here is what happened...I am not slanting this at all to make myself look good, this is REALLY what happened:

The night before, (Friday Feb. 6), myself and 3 other employees were closing. Upon closing, I was approached by a fellow employee named Tolik. He is from Ukraine and does not speak English well. He is learning, but still does not know much. He made a motion with his hand that I didn't understand so I asked, "What?" He then said, "where tire shine?" Tire shine is something we do for customers with a coupon for it, it is basically armor-all and we brush their tires with it. Everyday it is outside and every night we bring it inside to close up. So anyway he asked me where it was, (which is weird because it's always in the same place) so I JOKINGLY, and I stress jokingly, replied, "it's up my ass." That's it. That's all that happened. Tolik did not appear angry or offended. He even laughed, as I recall. Everyone proceeded to close up and I went home not knowing or thinking anything was wrong.

So flash back to today, Kurt (one of the managers) told me I was fired and that I needed to turn in my pullover to get my pay, and that I could call Al, the owner, if I wanted, to try and rectify the situation.

So I went home to pick up the pullover. While there, I called Al and admitted what I had said and stated that it was out of line that I should be terminated for such a thing. He proceeded to go absolutely APESHIT and literally started yelling and swearing at me over the phone, "That's MY call to make! Do you understand me?! You don't fucking tell me that!" Etc, etc. So I hung up on him. Then I drove back to the car wash, gave Kurt the pullover and got my pay. And that's pretty much it.

Now, I thought about this long and hard and quite honestly feel that it's complete and utter bullshit. I mean c'mon guys, we're talking about a CAR WASH! A bunch of guys working at a car wash...everyone jokes around and swears, it's totally normal. And yet I was singled out and fired for it. There's no real reason to be fired unless you do something HUGE or steal something. I was a good employee...I worked hard and was never late. It seemed that a lot of people had it out for me since Day 1. I don't know if it was jealousy or what.

Anyways, I'm pretty much over it now but it's the principle of what happened that gets to me. So I will be writing an anonymous letter to the I.R.S. reporting Al because he pays his employees under the table which is illegal. He's illegally avoiding taxes and screwing the government.

I have a good mind to call him up and tell him off but I don't want to stoop to his level. Think writing the I.R.S. will do just fine. Also considering taking this to small claims court...because like I said, it's illegal to pay employees under the table.

writing the I.R.S????? SMALL CLAIMS COURT?????? gimme a break........

you got fired from a fucking car wash....

and mr. owner doesnt need to give any reason to anyone for firing you.....fact is he can fire you for whatever the fuck reason he wants to....

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

writing the I.R.S????? SMALL CLAIMS COURT?????? gimme a break........

you got fired from a fucking car wash....

and mr. owner doesnt need to give any reason to anyone for firing you.....fact is he can fire you for whatever the fuck reason he wants to....

you know what? no, you're wrong. he pays UNDER THE TABLE and that's ILLEGAL. what's not to understand about that?

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

flywallyfly wrote:

I think the IRS has an anonymous tipline where you can get a reward for turning the asshole in. Get a little revenge AND some cash !!

how can you get a REWARD if it's ANONYMOUS?

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

soulsinging wrote:

Music For Rhinos wrote:

There's no real reason to be fired unless you do something HUGE or steal something.

This is why the American economy is in the shitter. Talk about feeling entitled. I also have found in my work experience that people that complain that their coworkers are out to get them are usually slackers.

Also, tip for the future. Never tell your boss that he's out of line, especially when you've been fired. Maybe next time you ought to try apologizing and saying that you're sorry for using inappropriate language. True or not, it's what he wanted to hear. Though nothing in your story indicates that's actually the reason he fired you.

That said, have fun with the IRS. Just make sure they don't come after you if he was paying you under the table too

First off, don't call me a slacker. You don't know me, you can't make that call. I'm one of the hardest-working people I know.

You're right, that is what he wanted to hear. Thing is, I'm not sorry for it. It's a bunch of guys working at a car wash. Everyone swears and jokes around. EVERYONE. So why was I singled out and fired? If I'm fired for this (which I am) then everyone working there should be fired for the same reason. Al (the owner) is a complete asshole...he acts like he's your friend but doesn't care about anyone or anything but himself and money.

If there's nothing in my story that indicates that's actually the reason he fired me, then why was I fired??

As for the I.R.S., how can they come after me if the letter I write is ANONYMOUS?

Who Princess · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

writing the I.R.S????? SMALL CLAIMS COURT?????? gimme a break........

you got fired from a fucking car wash....

and mr. owner doesnt need to give any reason to anyone for firing you.....fact is he can fire you for whatever the fuck reason he wants to....

you know what? no, you're wrong. he pays UNDER THE TABLE and that's ILLEGAL. what's not to understand about that?

As far as not having to give a reason for firing you--did you have a contract to be employed there? Something that said you would have a job from This Date until That Date at Such and Such rate of pay?

If you didn't have a contract, and I think it's safe to say you didn't, then you were an At Will employee. Meaning your employer hired you at will and could terminate you at will. He did not have to give any reasons for letting you go. That's how it is in most states.

His problems with the IRS are a whole different story and don't have anything to do with you unless he was paying you under the table too. If that was the case and you accepted the wages knowing that, you will probably have your own problems with the IRS as has already been said.

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

whoprincess wrote:

Music For Rhinos wrote:

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

writing the I.R.S????? SMALL CLAIMS COURT?????? gimme a break........

you got fired from a fucking car wash....

and mr. owner doesnt need to give any reason to anyone for firing you.....fact is he can fire you for whatever the fuck reason he wants to....

you know what? no, you're wrong. he pays UNDER THE TABLE and that's ILLEGAL. what's not to understand about that?

As far as not having to give a reason for firing you--did you have a contract to be employed there? Something that said you would have a job from This Date until That Date at Such and Such rate of pay?

If you didn't have a contract, and I think it's safe to say you didn't, then you were an At Will employee. Meaning your employer hired you at will and could terminate you at will. He did not have to give any reasons for letting you go. That's how it is in most states.

His problems with the IRS are a whole different story and don't have anything to do with you unless he was paying you under the table too. If that was the case and you accepted the wages knowing that, you will probably have your own problems with the IRS as has already been said.

Okay, let's try and pay attention here people. I was never arguing the first point. Of course there is no contract. OF COURSE he can fire me at will. I'm just saying, it's a bullshit reason to fire me (the way I got fired). Yes, employers can fire someone at any time for any reason but they usually DON'T unless there is a damn good reason...not someone joking around with a co-worker at the end of the night.

And ONCE AGAIN....HOW can I have problems with the IRS if I contact them ANONYMOUSLY???

ANONYMOUS!!!

Drowned Out · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Okay, let's try and pay attention here people. I was never arguing the first point. Of course there is no contract. OF COURSE he can fire me at will. I'm just saying, it's a bullshit reason to fire me (the way I got fired). Yes, employers can fire someone at any time for any reason but they usually DON'T unless there is a damn good reason...not someone joking around with a co-worker at the end of the night.

And ONCE AGAIN....HOW can I have problems with the IRS if I contact them ANONYMOUSLY???

ANONYMOUS!!!

How can the IRS prove that he's paying people under the table without checking employee records to see if there is any tax documentation? Were you being paid under the table? I don't know how the investigation would work...but you would probably be guilty of tax evasion too, right?
Not to mention...if you WERE taking money under the table without turning him in, but now that you have a beef with him, you're calling the IRS...then I guess he's an asshole...and you're a rat.

kenny olav · February 2009

dude, the IRS has bigger fish to fry to begin with, but since you were one of the ones paid under the table, and I'm assuming he has records of checks paid to you, so if the IRS did audit him, they would find these records of YOU not paying taxes, right?

Who Princess · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Okay, let's try and pay attention here people. I was never arguing the first point. Of course there is no contract. OF COURSE he can fire me at will. I'm just saying, it's a bullshit reason to fire me (the way I got fired). Yes, employers can fire someone at any time for any reason but they usually DON'T unless there is a damn good reason...not someone joking around with a co-worker at the end of the night.

And ONCE AGAIN....HOW can I have problems with the IRS if I contact them ANONYMOUSLY???

ANONYMOUS!!!

I am paying attention. You are asking for advice and then being argumentative when you receive it.

You mentioned small claims court and when another poster told you to forget it, you wondered why. I was trying to respond to that by explaining that if you didn't have a contract, etc., you really don't have any kind of legal standing to go to small claims court, even if your boss fired you for the most unfair reason in the world.

As for how the IRS could catch up with you, that could depend on several things. If you report the business, the IRS will presumably investigate it. They will do everything to find out who he has been employing. What kind of records does the owner have on his employees? Even if he was paying you off the books, does he have information about you? Does he have your name and address? How about your SS#? Depending on the amounts of money involved and the length of time this has been going on, the IRS may be trying to track down a lot of people. Even if he doesn't have information, they may talk to some of the employees to try to find out who used to work there. I'm not saying you shouldn't report it. I would just be prepared to pay some back taxes if you have to.

Music For Rhinos · February 2009

Drowned Out wrote:

How can the IRS prove that he's paying people under the table without checking employee records to see if there is any tax documentation? Were you being paid under the table? I don't know how the investigation would work...but you would probably be guilty of tax evasion too, right?
Not to mention...if you WERE taking money under the table without turning him in, but now that you have a beef with him, you're calling the IRS...then I guess he's an asshole...and you're a rat.

There are no employee records. There was no job interview, no application, nothing. You just start working. No, I wouldn't be guilty of tax evasion if I report my income for 09 next year at the next tax time.

Kenny Olav wrote:

dude, the IRS has bigger fish to fry to begin with, but since you were one of the ones paid under the table, and I'm assuming he has records of checks paid to you, so if the IRS did audit him, they would find these records of YOU not paying taxes, right?

I wasn't paid with checks. There would not be records of me not paying taxes because I will claim my income for 09 when I do taxes at around this time next year.

whoprincess wrote:

As for how the IRS could catch up with you, that could depend on several things. If you report the business, the IRS will presumably investigate it. They will do everything to find out who he has been employing. What kind of records does the owner have on his employees? Even if he was paying you off the books, does he have information about you? Does he have your name and address? How about your SS#? Depending on the amounts of money involved and the length of time this has been going on, the IRS may be trying to track down a lot of people. Even if he doesn't have information, they may talk to some of the employees to try to find out who used to work there. I'm not saying you shouldn't report it. I would just be prepared to pay some back taxes if you have to.

The only info he has is my name and cell #. I could change my # easily.

Thanks for your advice, seriously. I didn't mean to come across as argumentative. It's just a little frustrating because it's been a rough day...let's not forget...I got fired!

Then to post it on here and have people jump on me, it's not the nicest thing in the world. Not trying to get sympathy but would expect a least a little from fellow PJ fans...especially since I got fired for an absolute and total bullshit reason.

Gary Carter · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Then to post it on here and have people jump on me, it's not the nicest thing in the world. Not trying to get sympathy but would expect a least a little from fellow PJ fans...especially since I got fired for an absolute and total bullshit reason.

honestly I'm not trying to come across as a dick here but probably everyone at one point or another has had a job like this when they were your age, where they can fire you for no reason at all.maybe you haven't gotten any sympathy cause where all adults and realize what you said was wrong weather you were kidding around or not, you said it's up my ass and that's not cool, it sets a tone for your habits at future jobs. all it takes is one curse, joke or flirty comment and your fired. people aren't jumping on you at all, people are giving you advice, you are the one jumping down there throats. maybe chill and read at what the oldies of the board are saying, they bring up all good points. yes its a bull shit reason but its called the real world and realize this stuff happens alot with shit jobs like this and regular jobs. maybe find a job that isn't all under the table bs.

ZiggyStar · February 2009

Ohhhh! Nasty!

I got fired 10 years ago from a legal secretary job when the personal assistant to the fuckhead of a boss looked at my emails and printed what I'd written about the boss to another secretary. I wrote that "none of us would care if he got run over by a bulldozer and all his guts squashed out of his mouth like a squashed toad on the road!"

Oops!

know1 · February 2009

NEWSFLASH: You CAN'T be fired unfairly (unless it's for racial discrimination, etc.).

Businesses can fire you for no reason at all. He didn't even have to tell you why. Heck, he could have fired you just for the sport of it if he wanted to.

SPEEDY MCCREADY · February 2009

am i missing something here????

you say that he didnt pay people by check.....that he paid people cash "under the table"

but yout story starts out by saying how you went to work early to pick up your PAYCHECK?????

smithnic · February 2009

At will employment. It's a bitch.

To be honest though... it's a car wash. I'm sure there's other places of equal stature and pay around the neighborhood that will hire you.

soulsinging · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

First off, don't call me a slacker. You don't know me, you can't make that call. I'm one of the hardest-working people I know.

You're right, that is what he wanted to hear. Thing is, I'm not sorry for it. It's a bunch of guys working at a car wash. Everyone swears and jokes around. EVERYONE. So why was I singled out and fired? If I'm fired for this (which I am) then everyone working there should be fired for the same reason. Al (the owner) is a complete asshole...he acts like he's your friend but doesn't care about anyone or anything but himself and money.

If there's nothing in my story that indicates that's actually the reason he fired me, then why was I fired??

As for the I.R.S., how can they come after me if the letter I write is ANONYMOUS?

I don't know why he fired you. Maybe you should have tried asking before telling him he doesn't know how to run a business and his reasons for firing you (which you never bothered to discover) were wrong.

If it's just a lowly car wash and the owner is such a douchebag, why are you crying in your spilled milk about losing a shit job working for an asshole?

I'm not saying you're a slacker, I'm saying most people I know that whine about how unfairly they're treated at work are not good workers, though they all claim to be the best. They're the ones that refuse to listen to anyone's instructions and will not follow directions or rules because they insist they know better. If that was true, they'd be running their own damn company.

soulsinging · February 2009

Music For Rhinos wrote:

Okay, let's try and pay attention here people. I was never arguing the first point. Of course there is no contract. OF COURSE he can fire me at will. I'm just saying, it's a bullshit reason to fire me (the way I got fired). Yes, employers can fire someone at any time for any reason but they usually DON'T unless there is a damn good reason...not someone joking around with a co-worker at the end of the night.

And ONCE AGAIN....HOW can I have problems with the IRS if I contact them ANONYMOUSLY???

ANONYMOUS!!!

1. You don't know that's why, as you've admitted. You just assumed it and then called to rant at him based on that assumption. If everyone does it, why would you assume that's the reason? Sounds to me like there's something fishy going on here. There's also a difference between swearing on the job like "motherfucker, that hurt!" and between acting like a dick to a coworker. Maybe you were joking, but sometimes it doesn't come off that way. At the end of a long day if I was trying to close up and just asking a quick question for help and someone said that to me, I'd think THEY were the asshole. Which brings me back to the point of advising you to man up and apologize. You'd be amazed how far a little politeness and respect will get you.

2. Think this through man... you put the IRS onto him for paying his employees under the table. You don't think they might, if/when they investigate him, also try to find out WHO worked for him under the table?

I Was Unfairly Fired Today

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