The Law of AJOBTAR!
knicq posted in Knicqisms, Work on December 4th, 2006
Life has been hectic these past days. Exciting is another word that springs to mind. My employers woke up one morning and realized the gravity of the blunder they had made a couple of years ago, so they mustered the courage for a couple of months and finally asked me to leave rather unceremoniously. None of that Donald Trumpish “You’re Fired” drama. Plain and polite, simple and straight: you have been falling behind on all your KPIs, especially on the targets and you continue to waltz in late everyday despite repeated warnings, hence we are going to have to ask you to leave. Not only did they offer me a choice between a resignation and a termination letter, they actually offered to help me find another job, and promised me glowing tributes in the form of recommendation letters too. If I did not know any better, I would have thought they had been more than keen on parting ways with me. I mean, really, they could have fired me with a blank SMS too - you know the one that means “there’s nothing more left to say to you, so like….”
Polite people, really!
I have learnt that there are many ways by which people announce their intentions to part ways; some insist on peeling the skin of the hair, which by the way is a literal translation of “baal kee khaal utarna” an Urdu idiom used to describe the proverbial action of splitting hairs, some invite you to the office and ask you to leave while giving you an option between a resignation and a termination letter, and others do other kinds of things.
Another harsh reality that has dawned upon me during this period is that job offers are a lot like the banker’s proverbial umbrella (or the proverbial banker’s umbrella, whichever way) in that they come pouring in while you have a steady job yourself, in my case they were pouring in at the rate of one every five years, but dry up almost exactly about the time you need to take one up; just as the banker (proverbial or otherwise) thrusts his umbrella (once again, proverbial or otherwise) at you when there is plenty of sunshine, but snatches it away at the first sign of a drizzle. I think I am going to call it the knicq’s law of “AJOBTAR” - abundant job offers before they are required, which will stress the fact that such abundance is inversely proportional to the need for a job.
Lest I be accused of thanklessness, allow me to clarify though, within a short period, for the duration of which I was missing in action and not responding to some comments on previous posts, Allah Almighty provided me with an excellent option not only to fall back on, but also to help me get my act together and forge ahead without repeating the mistakes of the past. Alhamdulillah!
Thank you all for your prayers and support through this period!
December 5th, 2006 at 6:23 am
Sorry to hear about your job. What’s the fall-back option you refer to in the last portion? I’m glad something is working out for you.
I don’t know a lot of people who would publicly (or even privately for that matter) admit to being asked to leave. It’s rather brave of you, and humble and honest; but most importantly, I think it’s an indication that you understand the reality of your situation and the reasons that you’re here. Whatever opportunities come your way, I hope that you will use this rare strength, this clear unadulterated understanding of your situation, to avail and realize the opportunities down this new road of your life. If God has blessed you with this ability, I’m sure He’ll bless you with a wonderful future ahead. He does like to test his people. He may be testing you to see how well you use your strength. I see success with your name on it. God’s just waiting for you to reach out and grab it.
I hope the family’s doing okay. Will you still be in the UAE? Take care and keep me updated.
December 6th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
*points fingers*
*dies laughing*
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
YOU GOT FIRED!!!
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
wanna join the unemployed’s club?
im president, treasurer and loyal member!!!
umm… good show saab! did you go see peer JB to solve your financial / monetary problems :p
but hahahhahahahaha
you got fired! you got fired!
and you thought i was joking when i fired you?
December 6th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Let me tell you what I told my dear Z when he came home to show me ‘the Letter’.
I said, “Alhamdulillah”. Bhai, I know how it sounds and how it feels and trust me you need to say ‘Alhamdulillah’ because everything that happens is for the good. Take our case for instance, I doubt if we would have moved here to Al Khobar or been so happy if Z hadn’t said goodbye to them. Ek darvaza bund to 9aur khul jatey hain. I am sure you always felt the need to move up your career ladder and InshAllah you’ll be much satisfied and happier once you get what you want.
You know it sure is interesting… the way they say ‘Thankyou, Good bye’.
Anyway, take care, be happy, be optimistic and Happy job hunting.
December 7th, 2006 at 4:57 am
Alhamdulillah. you will come out of this period smoothly inshallah.. take care bhai!
December 8th, 2006 at 9:57 am
oh?
December 10th, 2006 at 8:21 am
Damn. I could never have admitted on my blog if such a thing happened to me. Guess I have a lot to learn from you, Bhaijan.
You are going to do well, inshaAllah. And as Aysh has said, one door closes only to open a lot others. We are glad that you are doing fine and learning from the experience, and yes, we are all prayers for you.
All the best!
December 12th, 2006 at 11:09 am
you were fired! na na na na na na na!
(the reason most people would never admit to being fired on their blog {myself included} is because of morons like me).
but there is nothing like kicking a man when he’s down.
so… late for work and fired han?
*died laughing*
December 12th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Wish you best of luck. I am sure you will find a better job soon.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
“late for work” yikes :O now this sounds so so familiar
(need to change my waking up habits, or rather sleeping late habits!!!!)
December 17th, 2006 at 6:51 am
Felicity: Thanks very much for the kind words. I am much less honest and humble than you make me sound. You ought to know it better having been subjected to a few months of me..:)
I did try and find someone willing to employ me for sometime, but as reality dawned upon me, I got to the conclusion that I might just have to employ myself. So as things stand now, I should be checking the self-employed box in those bank forms in a couple of weeks from now. UAE continues to be the playground.
Hemmie: You cut me deep. Hurt my feelings and all that. I am glad you found a job though. Happy for you and all that. Many congratulations to you. One does sympathize with the banking community though.
Aysh: Its always lovely to see you getting a little active again in the blogistan. Jazak Allah khair for the prayers. Allah ne bohat bada darwaza khol diya hai, Alhamdulillah. I just hope I can make the most of it. Do remember me in your prayers.
Anjum: Jazak Allah khair. Do keep praying….:)
A: Yaaay!!!
Saadat: Chotey bhai, the only things you need to learn from me are what not to do to keep a job. Got me a manual and all. You are welcome to borrow it anytime…:) Jazak Allah for the kind words, and for the prayers.
Hemmie: Technically, I was not fired. I was just politely asked to leave. There’s a DIFFERENCE.
“Nurses emotional wounds caused by the absolutely callous”
FaBW: Thank you for the words of encouragement.
Saadie: Verry kind of you to call. It does not take a brave man to put this news up, it takes an amazingly narcissistic JB-disciple to do so. JB did tell me people would find it very noble if I updated about being fired. He is a PR guru I tell you!
…and bro… you in Al-Ain…what could possibly delay you???
December 17th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
dude… wasnt it right outside your office where i read
“in case of fireD please do not use elevator”
December 17th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
…and now you suggest I should have taken the aerial route to my untimely and sad demise…
Cruelty becomes you Hemmie…!
December 18th, 2006 at 1:32 am
i was refering to stairs, but if you insist on shortcuts… (in life)… who am i to stop you?
and yes, i make everything look good.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:24 am
You do not seem to have got very far in that NLP book you flaunt so much…even if it says its for dummies…
A guy fired from his job, and subjected to hurtful remarks is prone to interpret messages differently, and act not entirely rationally… inducing suicidal behaviour quite likely counts under homicide…
Btw… I agree… you do make everything look good…by comparison of course!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:20 am
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