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Apologize before you get fired!

By Lauren | January 19, 2010

As unemployment continues at uncomfortable levels, people are trying harder than ever to keep the jobs they have. We’re all human, though, and we all make mistakes. Indeed, the stress of struggling to appear perfect can make blunders even more likely. People who’ve messed up may be so afraid of losing their jobs that they try to cover up innocent mistakes. Once those mistakes are discovered, the attempted cover-up can make them look a lot less innocent.

So, if you make a mistake and get fired for it, can you get your job back with an apology? Maybe.

AOL recently asked me to help with an article titled, “Why You Should Apologize to an Ex-Employer.” I was happy to oblige. The article discusses the benefits of apologizing after termination and, of course, includes a quick summary of the six essential elements of an effective apology.

But here’s the thing: once an employer actually decides to fire you, wheels start in motion and it can be terribly difficult to put the train back in the station. A post-termination apology might get you a reference or help finding a new job, but it may not be enough to get back the job you’ve lost. Instead of apologizing after you’ve lost your job, admit to your mistakes when you make them and apologize right away. It’s usually a lot easier to keep your job in the first place than it is to get it back after you’ve lost it.

To read the AOL article, visit http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/01/15/apologize-to-an-employer/.

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Topics: Apologies, Business Ethics, Lauren Recommends, business communications, ethics |

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