Q: I was fired Monday and I never saw it coming.  My supervisor (who was never communicative) hadn’t said a word to me in three weeks until I approached her looking for feedback.  That’s when she lowered the boom and canned me.  I’m furious!  Is there any way to get back at her? 

-          Name Withheld (for obvious reasons)

A:  Before answering, your email indicated there was a tell-tale sign that you were on the way out.  But, for some reason, you either didn’t notice or didn’t take notice of it.

She didn’t talk to you during the last three weeks?  That, in itself, is an indicator that all is not well – even if your boss was typically uncommunicative.  For future reference, other indicators include (but are not limited to):

• Your co-workers don’t talk to you like they used to
• Your responsibilities are cut several times and/or reassigned to others
• Your supervisor has someone “sit in” with you to monitor your process
• You have to keep written record of how you spend your time
• Your supervisor looks at you while talking to someone in a hushed tone
• Your are not asked for input in meetings and is dismissed when you offer it

Now to answer your question, “Is there any way to get back…?” 

Yes, but I wouldn’t suggest any of them.  Not yet, anyhow.

If you scour the job-related discussion forums, you’ll find people suggesting all sorts of revenge like:

• Subscribing your supervisor to every magazine possible
• Signing her up for junk email
• Calling the IRS fraud line anonymously
• Accessing your former company’s computer network

There are many, many problems with these tips – not the least of which: you could be arrested for fraud!  Good luck explaining that one to any potential employers.

And, since you were just fired, it would be easy for your former boss to point the finger at you – particularly since you were fired and are bitter about the situation.

The best course of action?  Chill.

Yes, you’ll be angry and you need to vent that anger before you can move on.  But taking childish revenge is not the way to go.  Beside risking jail time, once you take revenge, you’ll never be able to undo it. 

There are more productive ways to vent your anger (exercise, therapy, blow off some steam at a party, etc.), and there are better ways to get back.

First, remember that you will work again.  If your supervisor is as evil as you think, she eventually will be fired.  She may apply at your new place of business and you may be the one conducting the interviews.

Also remember that nobody stays on top for long.  Karma will take revenge for you.  You may even be around when it does.

The point here is that you should rise above this – not sink to her level.  You’ll be a better person – and a better professional for it.

IN THE CARAVAN: Don’t resort to revenge to get back at former employers.

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Check out last Friday’s post.