Make Money Jobs & Careers

8 Sneaky Signs That Your Boss Really Wants to Fire You

From changes in how feedback is delivered to decreasing workload, here are eight subtle signs your boss may be planning to let you go.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Edited by Ellen Cannon

Updated Sept. 30, 2024

Everyone wants to feel like they're making money moves, and nothing is more disappointing than getting fired.

But whether your boss just has something against you or your company is going through some changes, there are subtle signs you should watch out for that mean your job might be at risk.

If any of these things are happening in the office, be aware of what could be heading your way.

Get paid up to $225 a month while watching viral videos

Instead of sitting around watching viral videos on YouTube, you could be getting paid actual cash taking surveys for InboxDollars instead.

It's simple. You sign up here and confirm your email. Then you watch videos and take surveys. Then you earn cash (yes, actual cash … not "points"). Log in during your spare time and see how you can earn up to an extra $225 every month.

BONUS: Free $5 when you sign up, confirm your email and phone.

Constructive feedback stops

When your boss is invested in you and expects you to advance in the company, they will likely give you constructive feedback often.

Feedback can help you improve your skillset and make you a more attractive candidate for promotion opportunities in the future.

If you feel your boss is not invested in you or has changed their attitude toward you, it may be a sign the company is considering letting you go.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

You haven't received a raise

Raises keep employees happy, engaged, and appreciated for hard work. While the process works differently from company to company — some may have yearly reviews before offering employees raises, for example — if your pay for your position has been stagnant for years, and there is no talk of advancing, this could mean you are on the way out.

There could be many other reasons you haven't gotten a raise, however. If the company has had a rough quarter or year, raises across the board may be suspended for a time.

Your boss has become distant

If your boss no longer interacts with you as much, that may be a sign they're planning to get rid of you — or would even prefer you quit.

They may be avoiding conversations, leaving you out of meetings, or being unusually scarce around the office. This could be to avoid awkward feelings due to an impending firing.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

You are left out of meetings or email chains

If you're suddenly left out of important meetings or email chains, this could be another indicator that management is looking to get rid of you soon — especially if colleagues have not been hit with similar changes.

Career experts warn that your boss may be attempting to put some distance between you and the company if they start leaving you out of important communications.

If this starts happening then you should not only start looking for a job but also prepare yourself financially in case it actually happens.

Someone with the same skills was hired

If someone with a very similar skill set is brought in — and there's no indication that the company is expanding and would need the extra hands — that could be a sign that management is trying out someone new for your role.

However, a new hire isn't always a bad thing. It could just mean your company is planning to expand your department.

If you are nervous about a new hire, check out these ways to eliminate financial stress, and take this time of uncertainty to add to your savings and cut excess spending.

You haven't been given new projects

If you're on the outs at work, management isn't likely to get you started on any new big projects. You may have noticed that your workload has decreased or your boss is handing work they'd normally give to you to other colleagues.

If you're worried about changes to your workload, consider asking your boss if there are any new projects you can pick up or help out with.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

A new boss is hired

If new management is brought in, that could be an indicator that things are being shaken up at the company. Often when a new boss takes over or a company is bought by or merges with another, layoffs are on the horizon.

This doesn't mean that you specifically are being targeted but it can be an indicator of big changes throughout the company.

Your boss lets mistakes slide

If you've noticed your boss has stopped giving you constructive feedback, or even ignores mistakes, it may be an indicator that they don't plan to have you around much longer.

Part of the boss's job is to ensure employees do their jobs correctly, and that sometimes means pointing out and correcting issues.

If your mistakes suddenly start getting passes, it could mean the boss has decided to replace you and feels it's no longer worth the effort.

Bottom line

While all of these signs, or a combination of them, could mean that your boss is planning to get rid of you, there are plenty of other reasons that could explain these changes.

If you feel insecure in your job, it's a good idea to start preparing financially just in case you do find yourself out of work for a time. This could include looking into picking up some gigs for extra cash on the side.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Author Details

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore is a seasoned freelance writer for FinanceBuzz who also teaches writing courses at Rutgers University. She's based in Jersey City and enjoys travel, live music and, of course, spending quality time with her pup.