My position at a retail chain was seasonal. It was supposed to last only through the holiday season. They weren’t gonna keep ALL the seasonal people, only some. I was hoping to among those they keep. It turned out I wasn’t. My job ended last night. Then I found out they keep very few seasonal people each year. Most of them are let go.

She said I did a good job and that I’m fun to be around. It just slows down drastically after the holidays. It was nothing I did or didn’t do. She said all that when I questioned that decision to end my job. My seasonal coworkers are now awaiting their verdict which will come at the end of this week. Most will not be able to stay on. My real question is, is it normal to feel down about leaving a seasonal job?

She said they hire seasonal again when school lets out in the summer. If I’m interested, I could apply again. I could definitely use some extra cash. But is it normal to feel bad about right now? Especially since I have another job that’s permanent? It’ll be my 5 years anniversary next month.

[seesaw]

Ruby, I think that what you're feeling is natural. You had a job, you enjoyed it, you were hoping to stay on permanently, and that didn't happen. So you are experiencing some disappointment, that's okay and understandable.

You know, it's okay to have your emotions, whatever they are. It's when you allow emotions to control you that bad things can happen. You don't need to ask anyone permission to feel any emotion that you are feeling. You are allowed to have your emotions. Just be careful to not let them control your actions and decision-making.

And congrats on your 5 year anniversary!

Seesaw

Thank you. I don’t feel overly bad since I left on really good term. I just feel a little bad no matter what the reason I leave companies. The company that gave me my very first job closed the store I was working at. Everyone lost their job. I even felt like crap then lol.

Hi Ruby, I think it's perfectly normal to feel down. You had hoped differently. The good news is, you did a great job, they liked you and enjoyed having you! AND, you have another permanent job ahead. I think endings naturally make us feel sad and down, though. All endings. And if you've had several over the last many years, it is only natural to feel down about it. Hold onto the positives. You have several! (((hugs))))

I went home for Christmas and all I heard was negativity. My folks made it seem like it’s all my fault and that it’s bc of my actions. Are they just pretending not to know what SEASONAL means? They seem to imply that management would lie to me. I’ve been let go before at other companies and they always told me what I did. Why would this place be any different?

Besides, most other seasonal people will also be let go at this store. And most seasonal jobs don’t turn permanent, even if u do everything right. There are a few that will but most wont.

The worst part about their negativity is that it got me down. I went home happy and left feeling like ****.

[seesaw]

Ruby, don't let them bother you. Also, just to make sure, did you ask the seasonal job if they would be a reference for you? It's important to save up those people who will be references for you for future employment. It sounds like they would hire you again when seasonal work comes along, so that's a great thing to be able to show another employer, that you did a good job and would be invited back when they need people.

Seesaw

I haven’t thought to ask. I’m just planning on focusing on my current long term job and returning to my seasonal employer in the summer.

[MickeyCheeky]

I think it's normal for someone to feel that way..

Given their negativity, I’m even starting to question whether most seasonals actually do get let go. I’m questioning everything including why I’m even around. IK that’s stupid. I’m just DONE with anything negative.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ruby2011

Given their negativity, I’m even starting to question whether most seasonals actually do get let go. I’m questioning everything including why I’m even around. IK that’s stupid. I’m just DONE with anything negative.

Don't let them make you doubt yourself. Yes, lots of seasonal jobs end. Some do get extended, but only a few. Especially holiday jobs, LOTS of them do end. You are not alone in a seasonal position ending. It's a huge uptick in sales and then it dramatically drops off after December 25. They are just making you feel bad about yourself.

Seesaw

My last day was Christmas Eve. The day before that, my supervisor called me in to the office and said someone told her that me and another coworker was Snapchatting each other on the sales floor while working.

Me: yes we added each other on Snapchat. Plus, Cheryl and skye was also involved. The 4 of us added each other.

Her: but we’re you guys hiding under the racks and sending each other chats and photos?

Me: no that part didn’t happen. We just added each other and it just took a second. Other than that, we only checked the time.

Her: well you’re not supposed to have phones on the floor at all.

Me: did they mention anyone other than me and [coworker]?

Her: no just u two.

Me: (sarcastically) well we’re the perfect scapegoat ain’t we?

After she laughed, she said another thing she wanted to talk to me about was temp season was ending and my last day would be the next night (December 24). I was originally scheduled through the 29th. Then again, the computer does the schedule, not people. All the managers do is make adjustments as needed.

And now my parents give me hard times about the phone use. Especially since most other seasonal people stay another week or 2. I was among the first to go. My other seasonal coworkers are nervously awaiting their fate. If the real reason was the phone use, wouldn’t my supervisor have said so? And she wouldn’t have said I did a good job. Last night was my first night away from home. It was a relief! Should I just agree to disagree?

Yes it is totally normal to feel down about losing a job, seasonal or otherwise.

As for the cell phone use, at my job it's just a given that you don't use them during work for non-work related things like adding others on snapchat. I carry mine around in my pocket as a watch, and it also counts my steps, but that is it. I use it during break times and lunch only.

Even if there were 12 other people using their cell phone at the same time, it is still likely against the rules at your workplace and you need to take responsibility for breaking that rule. It'll help you with future jobs to not point fingers and take the responsibility yourself.

In your next job, I would advise you not to use your cell phone during work hours if there is a rule against it. It does affect how the employer sees you, and how long you keep the job for. I wish you all the best in your job search.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ruby2011

My last day was Christmas Eve. The day before that, my supervisor called me in to the office and said someone told her that me and another coworker was Snapchatting each other on the sales floor while working.

Me: yes we added each other on Snapchat. Plus, Cheryl and skye was also involved. The 4 of us added each other.

Her: but we’re you guys hiding under the racks and sending each other chats and photos?

Me: no that part didn’t happen. We just added each other and it just took a second. Other than that, we only checked the time.

Her: well you’re not supposed to have phones on the floor at all.

Me: did they mention anyone other than me and [coworker]?

Her: no just u two.

Me: (sarcastically) well we’re the perfect scapegoat ain’t we?

After she laughed, she said another thing she wanted to talk to me about was temp season was ending and my last day would be the next night (December 24). I was originally scheduled through the 29th. Then again, the computer does the schedule, not people. All the managers do is make adjustments as needed.

And now my parents give me hard times about the phone use. Especially since most other seasonal people stay another week or 2. I was among the first to go. My other seasonal coworkers are nervously awaiting their fate. If the real reason was the phone use, wouldn’t my supervisor have said so? And she wouldn’t have said I did a good job. Last night was my first night away from home. It was a relief! Should I just agree to disagree?

Well, based on this new info, it sounds like the phone usage may have been part of the decision.

If I recall, this is a pattern for you with breaking rules that have been clearly explained to you. If you aren't supposed to have phones on the floor then why did you have a phone on the floor? They only keep a few people after the holidays, so it sounds like you sealed your fate by breaking the rules.

And my guess is that your supervisor was nice to you about it so you wouldn't raise a ruckus while she was letting you go.

Many times they smile to your face while shitting in your hand.

Start obeying the rules and these things will stop happening.

Seesaw

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

Yes it is totally normal to feel down about losing a job, seasonal or otherwise.

As for the cell phone use, at my job it's just a given that you don't use them during work for non-work related things like adding others on snapchat. I carry mine around in my pocket as a watch, and it also counts my steps, but that is it. I use it during break times and lunch only.

Even if there were 12 other people using their cell phone at the same time, it is still likely against the rules at your workplace and you need to take responsibility for breaking that rule. It'll help you with future jobs to not point fingers and take the responsibility yourself.

In your next job, I would advise you not to use your cell phone during work hours if there is a rule against it. It does affect how the employer sees you, and how long you keep the job for. I wish you all the best in your job search.

I understand I shouldn’t have used cell phone. My folks kept insisting that it was the real reason I left the company even though my supervisor said it’s because of season. I’m just mad because my folks imply that my supervisor lied to me and I know employers wouldn’t lie to people.

Originally Posted by ruby2011

I understand I shouldn’t have used cell phone. My folks kept insisting that it was the real reason I left the company even though my supervisor said it’s because of season. I’m just mad because my folks imply that my supervisor lied to me and I know employers wouldn’t lie to people.

You would be surprised, employers are just as capable of lying as employees! Your cell phone use may have been a reason for letting you go, but it would be much easier for them (and you) to say that it is because of the season ending.

Originally Posted by seesaw

Well, based on this new info, it sounds like the phone usage may have been part of the decision.

If I recall, this is a pattern for you with breaking rules that have been clearly explained to you. If you aren't supposed to have phones on the floor then why did you have a phone on the floor? They only keep a few people after the holidays, so it sounds like you sealed your fate by breaking the rules.

And my guess is that your supervisor was nice to you about it so you wouldn't raise a ruckus while she was letting you go.

Many times they smile to your face while shitting in your hand.

Start obeying the rules and these things will stop happening.

Seesaw

The coworker who added me on Snapchat is a permanent worker. If I were a perm, I’d prolly still be there.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ruby2011

I understand I shouldn’t have used cell phone. My folks kept insisting that it was the real reason I left the company even though my supervisor said it’s because of season. I’m just mad because my folks imply that my supervisor lied to me and I know employers wouldn’t lie to people.

Um, employers lie all the time. My employer told me they were eliminating my position then the very next day after they laid me off, posted my position to hire someone. They absolutely lie. Sometimes it gets them into lawsuits.

You're saying she didn't lie but I don't see where you asked her if it was because of the cell phone use. You are just assuming that it was only because it's the end of the season.

You made it easy for them to decide by breaking the rules. They had to choose who to keep, you broke the rules, so it was easy to let you go instead of keep you.

Don't break the rules next time and maybe you'll be kept on.

Seesaw

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

You would be surprised, employers are just as capable of lying as employees! Your cell phone use may have been a reason for letting you go, but it would be much easier for them (and you) to say that it is because of the season ending.

Then that’s prolly what’s on my record. I may not be able to return to that store location for as long as she’s the supervisor. But I’m planning on moving and could prolly work another location. I hate this town.

I remember when my current job (giving samples at Sam’s club) let me go in 2015, it was said that I quit. In fact, my supervisor pressured me into quitting. A year later, I returned to that company, but my supervisor initially didn’t want me, so I ended up at another division within the same company. I was giving samples at Walmart until Walmart ended contract with my company.

I ended up returning to Sam’s club where I’m still at. And it was with the same supervisor who initially was wary. Before my first day back at Sam’s, she called me in to go over rules. Now, 6 months later, even she admitted I’m much better than I used to be. If it was in the record that she made me quit, I wouldn’t have come back at all.

Originally Posted by seesaw

Um, employers lie all the time. My employer told me they were eliminating my position then the very next day after they laid me off, posted my position to hire someone. They absolutely lie. Sometimes it gets them into lawsuits.

You're saying she didn't lie but I don't see where you asked her if it was because of the cell phone use. You are just assuming that it was only because it's the end of the season.

You made it easy for them to decide by breaking the rules. They had to choose who to keep, you broke the rules, so it was easy to let you go instead of keep you.

Don't break the rules next time and maybe you'll be kept on.

Seesaw

She even said it’s nothing I did or didn’t do. But I could see now the cell phone sealed my fate. Oh well, other seasonal people will also be let go within the next week. Most of them, anyhow.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ruby2011

She even said it’s nothing I did or didn’t do. But I could see now the cell phone sealed my fate. Oh well, other seasonal people will also be let go within the next week. Most of them, anyhow.

Yes, but the point is, are you learning to obey the rules before you get in trouble for breaking them?

Originally Posted by seesaw

Yes, but the point is, are you learning to obey the rules before you get in trouble for breaking them?

Hell yeah!

I hope you'll consider this a learning experience for the future. Just follow the rules in place at your next job, do the work, and you'll have nothing to worry about! And be sure to focus on yourself, not your co-workers. Even if everyone else is breaking a rule, doesn't mean you have to as well.

Did i sound like I argued with her? Or tried to justify my actions?

Originally Posted by ruby2011

Did i sound like I argued with her? Or tried to justify my actions?

Absolutely. Ideally you would have apologized and taken responsibility right from the start. You wouldn't have mentioned that others did it, or that it "only took a second" (that is irrelevant).

Maybe I woulda had a better outcome.