Afraid I'm Going To Get Fired

[Casey_03]

One of my two jobs is a job for a national news agency in the States. I work remotely and I've never met any of my colleagues in person -- we communicate over an online messenger. I don't have a contract with them but have been working for them for about six months now.

The job is perfect because it's only part time and allows me to work from home. I'm counting on this job for when I move back home, because it will be my only source of income.

But now I'm afraid they're going to fire me. So much so, that I've been sitting here crying for the past 40 minutes. Basically, I made a mistake in one of the reports I published tonight, mainly because there were conflicting reports out there about something and in my rush to do three news stories at once, I relied on one of the inaccurate initial reports. I corrected it once an editor asked me about it, but this is a pretty big mistake in news reporting.

Now I'm afraid they're going to fire me when I need this job most. Who'd have thought one little mistake would make me nearly hysterical.

 

[StarChild]

No wise words from me, unfortunately... But I hit the "like" button, to show you I care, and accompany you silently on your journey.
(A news agency that never makes a "mistake"? Pretty much not possible in my experience...)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Who'd have thought one little mistake would make me nearly hysterical.

Ive been in complete hysterics over a large company layoff.

I dont have the answer other than im right there with you.

You corrected the mistake before it was published/on air, right? We are all humans and you did correct it.

Im sorry! :hug:

ETA: I guess whats good about the US....we have A LOT of media/news outlets.

 

[aut555]

One of my two jobs is a job for a national news agency in the States. I work remotely and I've never m...

If you are lucky enough and there is no fallout, then you really can't respond in haste, do everything by the book. Especially if you value this job as much as you do. Maybe it's just a wake-up call. They may allow one mistake, but that's it. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Casey_03]

Thanks @TreeHugger The mistake was up for about a half hour before I corrected it @lostforgottensoul It's not unheard of for that to happen; in fact, many news sites in the U.S. right now still have the inaccurate info up. But still, I fear that it will be easier for them to fire me after this since they don't actually know me personally and I don't have a contract with them.

The same editor who got mad at me tonight has been giving me a hard time lately and actually scolded me a few days ago for not updating a story I'd done when the update didn't even happen until hours after I finished my shift. How could I write an update on something that hasn't happened yet?

It just terrifies me because I can't find a new job while I am breastfeeding my baby, so if I lose this job, I'm completely screwed. There are a lot of news outlets but it's rare for them to allow this sort of work from home. So I doubt I'd find a replacement job very quickly. (I have been applying for jobs but no luck with anything yet)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Dont go out without a fight! Companies in my experience try to scare you into quiting. Make them fire you! Dont let that guy win!

Its not like you are making mistakes right and left.

Im sorry this is happening! I feel the panic myself! :hug:

 

[StarChild]

How could I write an update on something that hasn't happened yet?

Exactly! Does that *ahem* ediot have a superior? I'd think so. Could acting fast now and inform their boss about the sad state of affairs with exactly the same statement you made here, about that editors chicanery / arbitrariness help to prevent you from any more repercussions? Just an idea, of course.

 

[Casey_03]

Right. Basically, the city of Charlotte issued a statement saying a protester who'd been shot was dead, but then they later issued another statement retracting that and saying "oops, we were wrong, he's still alive but on life support." I just happened to see the first statement first and thought he was dead. When you're covering stories like this that are rapidly developing, you just get bombarded with conflicting reports and it's hard to keep up. I'm so pissed and upset though.

 

[Suzetig]

It really not unusual for information about that kind of situation to change constantly where someone says dead, another says in a critical condition - hell I've seen different news sources all report on same story as each other where the ages, genders and ethnicity of the people involved were differs in every source with none of them being accurate. Which I know because I know personally one of the people concerned on that occasion.

I'm not saying it doesn't matter, of course accurate reporting matters, but in crisis situations information changes from minute to minute. Try to rest and just wait and see, it may be absolutely fine.

 

[sedna]

My first question is what did you sign when you were hired?

Firing over conflicting sources and publishing the errant one, then correcting it in a half hour is not grounds for being fired.

It's more realistic that those went on your employee notes and a couple more times would do it, after they warned you in writing to be more thorough.

This is U.S. company, you know how that goes in the States.

Whoever got on your ass about an update when you were off the clock is only showing the heat from his own manager, they're being pressured about their own quotas and expectations.

The old saying " shit rolls downhill "

I have no idea what a contract remote journalism job is like to have or what the rules are. It just seems to me that a US co. would have the same typical management guidelines.

What does your contract say?

 

[Casey_03]

@coco9 There's no contract, that's why I'm worried. I work as a freelance contractor for them, so just send them invoices for the completed work. They can fire me without morning at any time they want. I would have demanded a contract but honestly was just so grateful that they were willing to be so flexible and let me work from home that I didn't bother. Also, I only recently completed the "probation period."

I don't think they would maliciously try to dupe me or anything, but the position itself is expendable and was only recently created, so I could see them just saying they don't need it, or me, anymore.

 

[Sandstone]

You believe your job could be at risk, but from what you have written the only evidence you have that is that one editor scolded you for not updating a story that changed after your shift ended. You are worried and beating yourself up over an error. You have been working for them for six months, but you have only mentioned these two problems in that time. You have also said you communicate by online messenger, so it is possible you are not "hearing" things in the tone they were "said".

I think it is possible that you are focussing selectively on the two bad bits over the six months of good. How have other editors responded to your work?
I also think there is a risk that your own inner sense of failure, self criticism and fear will make you respond defensively to this editor, and create a conflict where one doesn't exist. I'm not suggesting you lie back and get walked over - take sensible steps to protect yourself and demonstrate your quality and integrity as a journalist - but be careful that your responses to that editor don't convey the emotions you are experiencing.