53 People Share The Fastest They’ve Ever Watched A Coworker Get Themselves Fired

There was once a time when all you had to do to get a job was walk into an office, ask if they were hiring, and walk out with a new position. Easy peasy, right? Of course, things weren’t quite that simple for everyone back then, but compared to the hoops job seekers have to jump through these days, it sure sounds like a dream.

Now, to even have a chance at getting hired, you have to put together a CV and hope it makes it past the software companies use to screen applications. Then there’s updating your LinkedIn profile and sliding into recruiters’ DMs to help yourself stand out.

And once you finally land an interview, you might still have to go through several rounds or complete different test assignments before getting an offer. All the while, you’re competing against who knows how many other applicants.

If you’ve been struggling to find work lately, you’re certainly not alone. According to a 2025 survey by Indeed, 45% of job seekers said the process had become more challenging. Meanwhile, a Greenhouse survey of 2,200 active job seekers in the US, UK, and Ireland found that only 7% believed the job market favored candidates. Those aren’t exactly encouraging numbers.

And sometimes, all that effort doesn’t even get you a rejection email. Another Greenhouse report found that 61% of job seekers had been ghosted after an interview. Imagine spending hours preparing for a conversation, and then hearing absolutely nothing. It’s enough to make anyone dread opening another job application.

But suppose you finally get that long-awaited offer and sign the contract. Congratulations! Now comes the next challenge: making sure you actually get to keep the job.

In many countries, new employees have to go through a probation period, during which employers can assess whether they’re a good fit. And depending on where you live, losing your job during those first few months can be surprisingly easy.

For example, in the Netherlands, employers and employees can end a contract immediately during a valid trial period, without having to give a reason, although certain legal protections still apply.

Meanwhile, most US states follow a system known as at-will employment, which generally allows employers to dismiss workers at any time, provided the reason isn’t illegal.

There are some exceptions, though, depending on employment contracts and other legal protections. Still, it’s interesting how differently countries approach something as important as job security.

The reasons people get fired are a whole other story. As this Reddit thread shows, there are plenty of ways to lose a job, but some are more common than others.

For example, a CareerBuilder survey found that among employers who regretted hiring someone, 58% said the employee’s work wasn’t good enough, while 52% mentioned a bad attitude. Interestingly, 20% said they could tell they’d made a hiring mistake within the very first week.

Then again, losing a job doesn’t always mean someone has done something wrong. Sometimes, companies have to cut costs or simply don’t need as many employees anymore. In fact, a 2026 Gallup survey found that 21% of US workers said their employers were letting people go and reducing their workforce. 

Whatever the circumstances, getting fired can be a pretty unpleasant experience, especially after putting so much effort into getting hired. So, to anyone currently looking for work, we wish you the best of luck finding something you enjoy and, hopefully, keeping it for longer than the people in this list!