It’s understandable to feel upset and bitter when you’ve lost your job unexpectedly. It can be hugely unsettling, triggering feelings of self-doubt and fears over money. I know many people who have become depressed after being laid off or fired. Many people struggle without having that daily routine or paycheck, and they need support.
There are also those who react to sudden unemployment with anger. Case in point: A lifestyle blogger I follow recently parted ways with one of her contributors. The blogger demurred when readers asked why the other woman was no longer working with her site; she declined to go into specifics but said she wished the best for her former employee.
After a while, the former employee decided to spill all the dirt herself. She posted a lengthy, and very angry, diatribe on Instagram Stories explaining how she had been let go because she’d played hooky during her boss’ vacation. She argued that this was unfair and bad-mouthed her boss. Many of the blog’s readers followed the drama, gleefully soaking up every last bit of gossip, but I was appalled.
This woman was now unemployed, and looking for work in the same industry. Rather than taking responsibility for playing hooky, or accepting that this may not have been a good career fit, she was publicly attacking her old boss, who had done the decent and dignified thing by not commenting on the matter.
This entitled sort of behavior may make for good drama, but I can’t imagine it’s helped this young woman find work. What employer would want to take on someone who acted this way?
My advice: Sour grapes may be par for the course, but, unless your termination was illegal or the result of some seriously shady dealings, keep your emotions in check and offline. The job is gone, and no amount of tweeting about your boss’ bad attitude will bring it back. Burning bridges is unproductive.
The best revenge is to dust yourself off and throw that energy into finding an even better position with a company that makes you feel valued.