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After Ten Years, Fired by Email

#43
gotta love today's technology...face to face? what's that? ...I fully agree that the email firing thing is a total douche move on his part or anyone that does it that way for that matter. he must not have much self esteem to say it from his own mouth.
 
#44
I got fired on a facebook wall post once. If it bothered you, you did the perfect thing by barely reacting. If they were pissed when he fired you there's two things you can do that will really get to them.

1. Staying calm and friendly and absolutely not showing any negativity at all.
2. Finding another project that makes you happy and being successful with it.

From the sound of the way things were going, I'd be thrilled to be fired, no matter how it the message was conveyed. I'd have probably said "Oh thank God! Finally! Bless you and thank you so much."
 
#45
That is a pretty shotty way to conduct this business on their part, however that seems to be the way things are these days. Sooner or later (or might of already pretty much happened) the idea of face to face or voice to voice conversations will be a thing of the past. It's the easy way out of things...send 'em an email...or better yet the modern day classic send 'em a text message or Facebook message...:spit:

You handled yourself well though and I am sure you will have no problem finding something else with your talents.
 
#47
Like I said, kudos to your response.

But the whole thing doesn't make sense.

There must be some reason for this in the band leaders mind.

Maybe he doesn't like the way his wife/girl friend looks at you; maybe he wants his brother to play bass; maybe he knows another bass player with a great PA and who has access to lots of gigs... There must be a reason.
 
#49
"Acknowledged" is a pretty cool response. But it still leaves you with questions as evidenced by this thread. If I responded quickly I might have said something stupid so I applaud your reserve.

But perhaps a response that says "Do you mind explaining why? And after 10 years and all of our history, do you really think an email is the best way of doing this? Let's meet for a beer and talk about it." might bring some closure and keep it civil.
 
#50
klejst said:
That is a pretty shotty way to conduct this business on their part, however that seems to be the way things are these days. Sooner or later (or might of already pretty much happened) the idea of face to face or voice to voice conversations will be a thing of the past. It's the easy way out of things...send 'em an email...or better yet the modern day classic send 'em a text message or Facebook message...:spit:
Click to expand...

My girlfriend is a psychologist. Breaking up via text, or private message (not even as "personal" as email) is EXTREMELY common amongst people in their early 20s and younger. If I ever have kids and they break up with someone via electronic means they're going to be grounded until they're 40.

Cheers, Joe
 
#51
fep said:
But the whole thing doesn't make sense. There must be some reason for this in the band leaders mind. Maybe he doesn't like the way his wife/girl friend looks at you...
Click to expand...
He is newly married, and I'm pretty sure she wasn't spending much time looking at me. And regardless, I'm 100% loyal to my girlfriend.
fep said:
maybe he wants his brother to play bass; maybe he knows another bass player with a great PA and who has access to lots of gigs...
Click to expand...
He already has a great PA and lots of gigs. I understand the new guy is an old high school buddy of his.
nutdog said:
But perhaps a response that says "Do you mind explaining why? And after 10 years and all of our history, do you really think an email is the best way of doing this? Let's meet for a beer and talk about it." might bring some closure and keep it civil.
Click to expand...
I don't need any closure, it's pretty well closed as far as I'm concerned. As far as "why", it's two things. One, he hates it when a band member questions his choice of songs. I was always asking to do my new songs, trying to get him to stick to the deal mentioned previously. But he tends to avoid the new ones, while keeping tired overplayed songs on the list forever. And two, I do gig with other bands occasionally, which meant he either didn't book that date, or had to use a sub. He hated that as well. The new guy will be 100% loyal, so the BL claims.
shewhorn said:
My girlfriend is a psychologist. Breaking up via text, or private message (not even as "personal" as email) is EXTREMELY common amongst people in their early 20s and younger.
Click to expand...
BL is over 50.
 
#55
Since you were "fired" without cause, you must be an employee, especially since the BL restricted your work time/income by demanding "loyalty".

I suggest you apply for unemployment and let them investigate the BL for tax evasion so you can get proper credit for Social Security, etc.
 
#56
I would have favored an email response along the following lines:

BL:

Either you didn't get my email of (date) or you are ignoring the issue.

Which is it?


-bassman


PS: I certainly hope you DID see it, but in case you actually didn't open it, here is a copy of the email I sent on (date):




BL:

Because I am now under contract, I am only authorized to say the following things about what is going on:

I have been approached by (very famous national act) for a recording project.

It entails an in-depth video documentary which is to be made featuring the music and the sorts of venues we have commonly played together.

The producers are interested in only me, and (the drummer), and/or the (most valuable player).

...(make something hilarious up here)...producers thought it best for me to contact you first as the BL,... since we have been together for more than ten years...blah blah blah...
Click to expand...



I don't suppose you saw the scouts that were at the last few performances we did together - it was certainly news to me when they approached me.

-bassman


~

But OP, you did the better thing with your simple "Acknowledged."
 
#57
All people have the potential for good and bad, and even the seemingly-coldest people have a good side, and when they do something chitty, they know in their hearts they did so.

When you react with revenge, it somehow allows them to justify their behavior regardless of the sequence, because you demonstrated that you have a bad side, too.

Regardless of your intention, by staying cool, you left him to live with the full weight of his conscience, which however large or small, is still the most cruel thing you could have done to him.

And anyone who’s a spectator sees only one bad guy.

Intentions notwithstanding, the high road is indeed the wise road, always.
 
#58
Marko5657 said:
All people have the potential for good and bad, and even the seemingly-coldest people have a good side, and when they do something chitty, they know in their hearts they did so.

When you react with revenge, it somehow allows them to justify their behavior regardless of the sequence, because you demonstrated that you have a bad side, too.

Regardless of your intention, by staying cool, you left him to live with the full weight of his conscience, which however large or small, is still the most cruel thing you could have done to him.

And anyone who’s a spectator sees only one bad guy.

Intentions notwithstanding, the high road is indeed the wise road, always.
Click to expand...

That, or he just said, "Thank god he's cool with this. I was beginning to feel bad!"
 

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