Things you should never say if you get fired

So it’s completely natural for anyone going through the dreaded process to feel a range of emotions — including intense anger — which can prompt them to say or do things they will later regret, says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of The Humor Advantage.

“Not only is the rejection hurtful, but you may feel the action was unfair,” adds Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.” “Because most terminations happen without notice, anxiety about your livelihood and next move can be overwhelming. Being unable to defend yourself, coupled with the finality of the event, can quickly take you from shock and denial to anger.”

Even if you suspected that your job was at risk, there is always some element of surprise involved — and being caught off-guard is when you can unwittingly make matters worse for yourself.

“If you’re concerned about such a possibility, you might think strategically about how to best react after an event like this,” Taylor says. “A good rule of thumb is to pause, breathe, think, and be proactive. You may be asked to sign documents, for example, but give yourself enough time to respond appropriately, when you’re not in an emotional state.”

As difficult as it is at the time, the best course of action is to try and keep a level head and not burn any bridges, adds Kerr. “Take a deep breath and err on the side of saying nothing if you feel you can’t keep control of your emotions. And definitely avoid the temptation to say any of the following.”

Here are 12 things people tend to say when they get fired that they later regret:

1) ‘Are you kidding me?!’

That’s precisely what most employees are thinking when they get the unfortunate news, says Taylor. “That reaction suggests you’re ready for combat, but your employer, like it or not, can abruptly end the conversation right there, and you may be walked out within minutes.”

A much better approach is to take a deep breath, stay calm and focused, and try to be cooperative.“ This is not a situation you can control. But like most setbacks, it’s 90% how you react, and 10% what actually happens,” she says.

Consider how you want to be remembered on your last day by your boss, colleagues, and even your professional circle. “The business world is getting smaller each day with the help of technology. Think about how you’d want an employee to leave, keeping mutual respect top of mind.”

2) ‘You can’t fire me because I quit!’

“This classic line makes for many memorable movie scenes, but in real life it will only make you look spiteful,” says Kerr.

In some cases your employer may give you the option of quitting instead of being fired, and there may indeed be advantages to offering up your resignation if that deal is made. But yelling it out in the heat of the moment could backfire on you big time, he explains.

“Unless you submitted a resignation letter, if you’re being terminated, it’s better to accept the news with grace and dignity,” Taylor adds. “Even suggesting that you were planning to quit anyway is an obvious defense that has no redeeming value.”

Keep in mind that most everyone has been or will be terminated from a job at some point in their life. And if your boss is unhappy with your performance, you’ll both be better off if you move on to greener pastures. “Staying in a dead-end, stressful job with a difficult boss may offer a reliable routine,” she says. “But ‘routine discomfort’ is not good for your self-esteem, health, or your career. So your best approach is to leave behind a positive impression, as difficult as that may be.”

3) ‘I know where all the bodies are buried’

Making any suggestion that you are going to not only take company secrets with you, but also hold them over their heads and potentially reveal them will create a huge level of distrust and may even evoke a legal reaction on your employer’s behalf, Kerr warns.

Don’t make threats of any kind. You’ll be sure to regret it if you do.