Hello all-

I was recently employed through a third party recruitment firm to work for a prominent financial company. I worked for 4 days as a receptionist and was being trained from another receptionist. I should add this wasn't a typical receptionist job. It was full of running around getting lunches for about 10 different principals, filling out expenses, getting water for guests, cleaning up after others, etc. I didn't have a problem with it but it was certainly a lot to absorb within four days, not to mention there were frequent distractions. Other girls, like the executive assistants, would come up to the desk and chatter/gossip (sometimes about unprofessional things) or boys in the firm. I talked with them because I didn't want to seem bitchy as the new girl. At one time, I ran back to get a principal for their meeting, and the boys were throwing a football in the back of the office. They threw it at me and I blocked it- this consumed maybe 5 extra minutes I was supposed to be delivering water to a guest who was waiting for this meeting. One of the higher up EA's to the CEO walked past me and goes UNBELIEVABLE, and then mentioned something to the receptionist who was training me. I immediately apologized, but was confused because these people were notably fooling around. Later that day, I was fired. They never called to fire me, they had my recruiter call me and fire me. I didn't receive any notice from anybody in the office, let alone HR. I was devastated because the perks and pay of this job was great. Nothing I did was wildly unprofessional whatsoever- if anything, I was a bi-product of the general culture of all others. I didn't want to be stale, but I didn't want to be unprofessional. 

Well I spoke with a free legal consultant who told me to call the HR in LA (I'm in NYC). I spoke with this HR woman who had her legal counsel present. He completely bullied me into discussing anything and told me I was fired for unprofessionalism and making comments about male employees. MALE EMPLOYEES? IF ANYTHING, I listened to other girls do that and laughed at their comments! Moreover, some of the analysts would walk past the other receptionist and make fun of her for wearing potato sack dresses.... I really believe that because I was new, any engagement with this office behavior was heightened on me because people knew I was new. I owned it, but I feel horrible at myself and a failure. On the phone, the lawyer wouldn't let me get a word in. He kept saying "this conversation is over I'm hanging up you have nothing to say". I was mainly looking for information regarding my final paycheck and healthcare compensation. He repeatedly insulted me and intimidated me. I tried my hardest to respectfully voice my own concerns, which were housekeeping issues of parting with the company.

It's over and done with. These people are mysognistic, nasty, and I can't believe a lawyer like that walks the earth. I had mentioned that I was speaking with legal counsel because I was given no written notice of termination and was confused. He kept saying I made accusations and threats to sue- I never did; this was a method of protecting myself as a 27 year old girl who has now been fired and has had claims made against her left and right. I apologized for any engagement in unprofessionalism but I certainly didn't run through the halls in flip flops talking about sex. I was pulled together and neat. Not to mention, I wore heels with a broken foot to make my appearance look more solid.

Can anyone offer KIND advice, or thoughts, about this? I've been let go before, but never for this. Mainly because the position I've held was over my head in skill (used to work in architecture) and that is common. However, this lawyer and this position in particular has killed my self esteem and I want to crawl into a hole. I have no hope. Will this job, that I worked at for 4 days, show up on an unemployment background check if I don't list it on my resume? Will it show up that I was fired for unprofessionalism? I am so concerned and feeling so bleak about pursuing future jobs. This has completely broken my spirit. My main concern is whether or not this will be visible- in detail of my firing- to prospective employers who conduct background checks.

Please, anyone help me as I could lose it and just not care anymore. These past few months have broken my spirit in two.