I honestly waited a bit to post this. I wanted to let the dust settle but I think I’m finally ready to discuss it. Although I won’t use the names of either company, I will say my old job was something I truly loved and the people in it. I’m very sad to go and wish it didn’t abruptly end the way it did.

In early August I was terminated from my job. Now I know what you must be thinking, what could I have done. Well, some of this won’t make sense, and that’s not my writing. I was working in a factory and loved it. Crazy, but the people started to feel like family and I was more upset to leave them than the job. My boss was someone I was close with and slowly became a father figure to me. I was really lucky to have him and these amazing people in my life. I wish I could say I got along with everyone, but that would be a bold faced lie. We don’t get along with every person we meet, no matter how hard we try. I guess that’s really why I got fired.

You see a coworker of mine was really nice to me, in fact, despite her and I bickering we seemed to always get along. She didn’t like other people, but I didn’t think I was on that list. I was very naïve to have believed that though because come the end of July I was asked some questions. I was asked about an object being hidden. I then knew who had ‘told on me’ because I had only discussed this with that coworker a week prior. I explained, just like I did to her that I did not hide anything, and that it had previously been hidden. I was honest in saying I didn’t know for sure who directly hid it because it had been hidden 2-3 times over the past 6 months. I was as transparent and honest as possible. Because honesty is the best policy, right?

A week later I was pulled into our HR office where I was told I was being terminated. I won’t lie, I don’t think I was treated properly. I think I was talked down to and most of all I am still upset that they fired me based on this coworkers word, and nothing else. She told me basically, if I didn’t give any names I would be terminated. Even as I mildly considered if it was worth giving a name, she interrupted that line of thought within seconds saying, “you’re not going to give me a name, are you?” I knew then I was being fired regardless. I knew there was no good in naming the people that actually could have done, because if she believed me they would probably lose their job; off just my word. So I said no. I swore I didn’t do it, I was so broken hearted I didn’t even get to say goodbye to everyone.

Now to be fair, this coworker from what I have heard was very proud she got me fired. She was happy about it and bragged. I don’t wish ill will on her, I don’t even want her job taken. She has kids and I hope she truly does well. I in all honesty just wanted an apology. Not even from her, from the HR. I don’t need one, but I really would like one. Because they handled it so very poorly and on top of that really made me feel like I was horrible person. The HR representative I am referring to had no problem being rude to me anytime we spoke, told me I was a liar and didn’t care what I had to say. She didn’t look me in the eye when I spoke, despite me making constant eye contact when she did. I truly believe to get respect you give it, and she gave me none despite me constantly giving her some. Regardless I mean no ill will to her as well. She, I’m sure, is a fine person with ambitions and goals.

So where did that leave me? Well I had just been back about a month from my mission trip, so I really had no money, no back up plan, and lived off my credit card. I now have a wonderful new job with very nice coworkers who I often restrain from sharing too much of my social life. I worry that revealing too much of my personal life and building relationships will only hurt so I think we all can be just great friends. I truly don’t hate the coworker who did this, despite what people think I should feel. I don’t even hate the HR representative who treated me poorly. I think forgiveness is truly the best key here. They really hurt me but I would like to believe they didn’t go out of their way to do so. I much prefer to believe we are all human and make mistakes. Now I have a better job, making near the same pay, getting off earlier with more hours. I am truly blessed to be able to find a job so quickly that is so flexible. Things happen for a reason, try not to fault people for their mistakes too much.