Yesterday I was casually looking for jobs -- mostly because I'm always looking for something. I rarely apply but I like to see what's out there and what sorts of qualifications people are looking for. I'm not entirely happy where I am...I do have some weird stuff happen which you can find in the yambag thread...but I love the people I work with.

Anyway I found an ad for the exact job for the exact profession I work in. The ad stated to reply only if you had prior experience.

I set up a phony hotmail account and sent an email saying that I currently worked for a company in that position and would like to know what company they are to make sure I'm not applying to the company I'm working for. I said that I did not want my current company to know I was looking. TBH I figured this was really out there and I didn't expect a response.

I check the email this morning, and the response is from my boss.

There is no reason to hire another person. There isn't even another desk available. There are two of us that do the specific job they are looking for and we get the work done with plenty of down time. The other person has been here longer than me and is more trusted.

Should I tell my coworker in my dept? Should I tell anyone else I work with? Should I confront my boss?

FWIW when my company fires someone they find a replacement first, then show the other person the door on a Friday, replacement starts Monday. In the past they have done this with good reasons, but they have also done it to people who were good workers.

how good are you at diguising yourself?

It would be so awesome if you went to the interview.

Have you done anything to give them a good reason?

Maybe your equivalent has and you do not know about it. Dont tell your co-worker that would just get very messy. There has to be a good way of going to your boss and feeling him out. Maybe sit down and talk about some long term projects/goals that the department has in the works and see how he reacts?

Not sure if that would even work, but I think you should still tread lightly. If they have already decided on getting rid of you there probably isnt much you can do.

If your equivalent makes more money then you you might be good....

All stuff you could ask at the interview.

Yeah, just apply for the job under a different name and then negotiate yourself a higher salary when you interview...easy game.

I've briefly considered submitting a fake resume pretty much knowing I'd get an interview. Then when the time came I'd throw on a tie and walk into his office. I'd ask it to him straight at that point.

I don't know what he makes but I don't think either of us are that far apart that it would be a consideration.

I should also mention that I feel as though I'm unfairly passed over for some projects. He doesn't seem to trust me and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it. If I've been doing things wrong I haven't been reprimanded. I have made a few mistakes here and there that have gotten me called into his office but they were usually minor things that could have big implications -- lesson teaching essentially.

Even though I've only been here a year and my coworker two, I have the same amount of experience in the industry, the first year being with a different company.

OP plz go to the interview. For us. On a 1-10 scale of epicness, it would be a 12.

You should fall down in the break room post-haste.

Not going to lie -- I really really want to go the interview. The problem is that although I'm mostly sure it's me, I can't be 100% sure, and I don't know how to become 100% sure. If I was 100%, I would do it and post a TR.

Another idea is to come out at work. That way it would look like that's the reason. But I thought about it and the ad has already been posted so no lawsuit. Damn I thought I had a cool couple mil there for a second.

Also lol LFS

If you come out right now they won't fire you.

In all honesty, I think he just hate the gays.

Do you think I can get away with sending another email asking why the position is becoming available?

How so?

Coming out would be an amazing IMO. LFS is right too, you don't even have to end up suing, it works as a bluff. Epic.

Why wouldn't they still fire him? I mean all the boss should have to prove was that he started looking for his replacement prior to finding out, right?

OP, keep in mind what the other poster said. It might be your counterpart that's getting the axe. Maybe he just came out.

Also, set up for an interview and you'll know wen he gives you the address. Unless they interview off site. If that's the case ask him what part of town you would be working in if you got the job.

Theoretically, yes. But I'd be scared as heck, from a liability perspective, of firing somebody who just came out. The way you cover your ass (hey now!) in a situation like this is really carefully document the reasons you're firing someone, give them warnings, etc etc etc.

If any of this is being done, I have not been made aware of it. Can't really warn someone about something without speaking with them.

I think his point is that they would start doing this, or at least think twice about making it official if they hadn't. In general I don't think it would be a great career move to come out now. Might buy you some time and make your boss nervous though along with being a generally amazing story.

Two awesome ideas ITT. The big question is how to combine them successfully.

So far, the best I can think of is to set up an interview under a false name, go to it wearing a mustache, mention that you're gay during the interview, then remove the mustache and scream "HA! I'M GAY SO YOU CAN'T FIRE ME!"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243493/

LFS- sorry for not quoting you but its a bitch (hey now2!) To quote from my phone.

But this is why I suggest others to periodically ask their boss how they're doing. Many places give annual performance reports. What I always did in those sessions was to ask my boss if I'm meeting or exceeding all of his/her expectations. If they say yes then I just ask to please notify me if I ever fall below their expectations. I understand that doesn't lock them into never firing me. But I do think it helps.

i say come out and injure yourself on-site.

Fool-proof.