Fired by the computer. (its finally come to this)

BBC news article. It would be humorous if it wasn't true.

All the necessary orders are sent automatically and each order completion triggers another order. For example, when the order for disabling my key card is sent, there is no way of it to be re-enabled.

"Once it is disabled, an email is sent to security about recently dismissed employees. Scanning the key card is a red flag. The order to disable my Windows account is also sent. There is also one for my Jira account. And on and on."

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44561838

Ya! But the original error was a human one. i.e. his old boss didn't renew his contract, so the computer system just did exactly what it was programmed to do under that circumstance. It worked flawlessly by all accounts. Shame though that no-one could intervene, to correct the error. But again the system was obviously programmed to prevent any "exterior interference' once the "ex-employee" process had been set in motion.

I worked as a temporary engineering contractor at nuclear power plants for the last 20 years of my employment. When the work was finished, I was terminated in all kinds of ways. Sometimes we got emails telling us our end dates. At least one job, we were escorted out by security immediately after being terminated. I didn't care. The jobs were temporary. The pay was high. I liked not having any ties to the companies other than trying to do a good job. I was always happy to leave and take a break. I almost never looked for another job until the current job ended. I'm just an independent cuss. It worked out well for me. But, if you are the type who worries a lot, that type of job may not be for you.

Ya! But the original error was a human one. i.e. his old boss didn't renew his contract, so the computer system just did exactly what it was programmed to do under that circumstance. It worked flawlessly by all accounts. Shame though that no-one could intervene, to correct the error. But again the system was obviously programmed to prevent any "exterior interference' once the "ex-employee" process had been set in motion.

Yes. I picked up on that. Makes me wonder about the hand-off of duties between old and new manager, or if the old manager was hostile, why the 2nd level manager didn't make sure that the new 1st level manager had the tools to review staff and pending actions, like a contract termination.

It could be that the old manager deliberately didn't renew the contract, Maybe having been demoted/fired over the performance of the employee now spinning this story.

But.. Its still a humorous story and one that I suspect is all too possible where companies use 'least cost' programs and outsourcing to manage their business systems.