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Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 03-05-11 02:26 PM Link | Quote
I worked for Blockbuster (who is in bankruptcy, but irrelevant).

Anyway, situation was...

I was tasked in January to install a version of our software I've never seen and never worked on onto 22 prototype devices to be shown at CES. This was on a Thursday, to be ready by Friday morning. I read up on the installation parameters and started installation. Due to issues with the build, I succeeded in completing five devices. I spent most of Thursday and Friday speaking to the development team about my installation issues.

After new builds on Friday, we successfully installed on all 22 devices, but account activation was failing on the server side. This was a known issue, and required the assistance of the server team engineer that wasn't responding to e-mail or helping me get through activation on a project I've never seen or knew how to activate. I also didn't know what bug database the issue went into, or if the issue had already been logged or anything at this point.

We spent a chunk of Saturday troubleshooting, but without the server engineer, we were stuck.

Monday rolls around and the VP of Digital Technologies, whom is going to take these devices to CES on Tuesday morning, wants to know why none of the devices are ready. I explain what I know and reply that I haven't logged an issue against the problem we're having because I don't know where those issues go. He's not happy, but he also doesn't understand that I'm not on this project--I was merely tasked with loading the application onto the devices. I have no idea how the software functions on the front- or back-end and I have no way of activating devices without help from the server engineer.

The server engineer rolls in an hour later, and in the next two hours, we knock out the 22 devices that were having trouble activating. Each activates and is able to download. The devices are packed up in their boxes and delivered to our VP, whom then promptly heads out to wherever he's going prior to hitting the road for CES. I figured there was no further issue and it was a big oversight on my lead's part not informing me that I have to log issues found on a project on which I'm not assigned and therefore have no access to the database. VP's perception at this point is that I've dropped a major ball over the weekend when no such thing has happened. But, it's all perception.

My VP harbors and stews on this perception for two months, makes the decision that I can't be trusted to do my work (despite doing my work and then some for two months), that I can't work my full 40 hours (even though they hired me on--and he knew of this--with the knowledge that I would be gone for 8 hours a week due to school, and I offered each and every week to work up to 45 hours on weekends, but my manager never took up that offer), and that I was more of a liability than an asset.

My managers and Director of QA, upon learning of my fate, tried to talk the VP out of letting me go and explain that the whole situation and his perception of it was incorrect. That I wasn't at fault for what transpired that weekend. But, on his power trip of being VP, his decision was final and I was laid off on Friday.

My managers and Director are embarrassed by the way the situation was handled, without giving me an option to defend my place at the company and how unprofessional everything was handled. They're losing a valuable resource to their QA team over the ill perception of a VP, and had no ability to stop it. I'd say it speaks volumes of where Blockbuster--whom is in bankruptcy at the moment--is headed.

I wish the company luck, but unless they make some drastic marketing changes, I'm not sure there will be a Blockbuster as it currently exists by the end of the year.

Ah, well, I do have my own consulting firm to fall back on when stuff happens. And unemployment benefits. But, my resume is robust and my recommendations and professional references are sound and influential, so I don't worry too much. I'm just greatly upset at the way this was handled.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 74 days
Last activity: 74 days
Posted on 03-05-11 03:42 PM Link | Quote
Why don't you pursue a wrongful termination suit against the VP? You have more than enough evidence to show that he fired you for nothing. Honestly the server engineer was the one that should have been fired for not responding, if anyone needed to be fired at all.
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 03-05-11 03:52 PM Link | Quote
Because it isn't worth it. Blockbuster is probably going to enter Chapter 7 Liquidation next month.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 74 days
Last activity: 74 days
Posted on 03-05-11 03:58 PM Link | Quote
But it is the principle of the thing... he insulted your professional credibility and cost you your job. It isn't about money, it is about your integrity.
Stitch

Roy Koopa
Holy crap, it is the RoboCoonie!








Since: 08-20-04
From: California

Since last post: 696 days
Last activity: 696 days
Posted on 03-05-11 04:52 PM Link | Quote
My integrity is fine.

And wrongful termination suits require substantial evidence that I only have as hearsay from management and a few e-mails exchanged that weekend. It wouldn't merit the court costs to pursue because I have my standing. I wasn't fired; my contract was merely cut short.
Elara

Divine Mamkute
Dark Elf Goddess
Chaos Imp
Penguins Fan

Ms. Invisable








Since: 08-15-04
From: Ferelden

Since last post: 74 days
Last activity: 74 days
Posted on 03-05-11 06:17 PM Link | Quote
Still seems unfair. So what are you going to do now? Any prospective new employers yet or are you still hunting?
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