MovieChat Forums > Erin Brockovich (2000) Discussion > In real life, would she really get a job...

In real life, would she really get a job with such bad manners?

posted 13 years ago by Zombie55
7 replies | jump to latest

In real life, would Erin Brockovich really get a job like she did in this film and also be able to stay on it with such bad manners?

Also, remember the scene past the 38-minute mark or so when Erin discovers that she was fired? Remember also the scene where she insults her co-worker after hearing "Yes, it's called accountability" by saying "I'm not talking to you bitch. get out of my face!", like, wouldn'y the co-worker in real life get to write a report on her for insulting her at work? And woudn't that mean that at least in this firm, she would never ever get another job?

Also, was the REAL Erin Brockovich (who even made a cameo appearance as a waitress in this film) exactly like that?

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jac91604 13 years ago

You have to remember it was a small private firm(company), there was no HR dept to go to.

Had she acted like that at a large corporation she would have been most likely been terminated.

[–] anastasiabeaverhausen1 13 years ago

Actually, in large corporations getting fired is not all that easy these days. It usually takes a step-by-step process to get fired, and if the person you are trying to get rid of is a minority, it gets even harder.

Also, companies tend to overlook things like bad manners more than you might think.

"Bullsh*t rules!"
-Cher in Mask

[–] SataiDelen 11 years ago

It depends where you live. I live in an "at will" state, which means an employer can fire you for breathing wrong, and just put some bogus thing on your termination paperwork like, "Late too many times," or "Couldn't perform his/her job accurately" or any number of things. And there's nothing you can do about it. It happens all the time.

@ the OP: You do realize this is a movie based on a real person and a real law firm, right? OK, yes, I'm sure much of Erin's attitude was hyped up to increase drama and tension for the film, but the real Erin Brockovich does have an attitude and will use it.

[–] rindercella 10 years ago

depends where you live. I live in an "at will" state, which means an employer can fire you for breathing wrong, and just put some bogus thing on your termination paperwork like, "Late too many times," or "Couldn't perform his/her job accurately" or any number of things. And there's nothing you can do about it. It happens all the time.

@ the OP: You do realize this is a movie based on a real person and a real law firm, right? OK, yes, I'm sure much of Erin's attitude was hyped up to increase drama and tension for the film, but the real Erin Brockovich does have an attitude and will use it.

I live in a state like that too. Right to Work, sounds like oh, yea, we have the right to work. No, it means you can be fired for anything, no explanations.

Yea, every film embellishes to make it more interesting.

"Men like you don't die on toilets." Mel Gibson-Riggs, Lethal Weapon

[–] Ingeborgen 10 years ago

I will try it next time and then answere your question.

"We're all spending too much time and energy trying to be politically correct about everything"

[–] cajayson8301 10 years ago

It all depends upon the boss. Some will overlook some crass manners if the employee is diligent and handles the duties to utmost satisfaction. Others crack down on improper conduct and terminate on the spot. Also, the boss's overall perception of an employee matters immensely: they often tolerate moderate rudeness from a valued associate who's productive than an ineffective subordinate.

Others here also pointed out various factors to influence firing: if it's at will employment, large firm vs. small firm, etc.

When God made Tom Cruise, he was only joking.