Member-only story
‘That’s Not A Box of Baby Clothes. I Was Fired’
The humiliation of losing employment
One month before the birth of my first child, my job was terminated.
When I left my house at 8 a.m., I was a trusted employee with a great network of colleagues.
By mid-morning, I was a pariah. I never spoke with anyone from my company again.
My company was a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development. We had gone through a major upheaval during the previous year and a half. The United States government sued and blacklisted us.
A host of unethical and borderline illegal activities took place before my time. I had survived three rounds of lay-offs. Eventually, I became collateral damage.
The company was rebranding with a new name and leadership.
My role required increased responsibility. I gained greater visibility with senior management. I wasn’t job-hunting while the company was crumbling around me.
Instead, I watched as resignations and downsizing decimated my tight-knit team. But I stayed despite the uncertainty. In retrospect, my loyalty was misplaced.
Surely, they appreciated my strong work ethic and perseverance. They didn’t.
