You probably know that failing to meet performance goals or neglecting critical tasks can get you fired—but there are plenty of other ways to get fired that may surprise you.

The reality is that a tech manager can use just about any mistake, misstep or reason to fire an at-will employee whenever they choose. Given the massive number of layoffs and terminations in the tech industry over the last three years, here are some things you should avoid if you want to keep your job.

Failing the Keeper Test

The keeper test was made famous by Netflix… but other companies have similar ways of deciding whether an employee is essential or dispensable.

In short, managers are asked to consider whether they would fight to keep an employee who receives a competing offer or let them leave unimpeded, explained Dr. Kyle Elliott, a tech career and interview coach.

If your manager isn’t willing to put up a fight to keep you from quitting, your job may not be as secure as you think. One of the pitfalls of the keeper test is that a new manager may not be familiar with your work, instantly changing your status from a keeper to a non-keeper, Elliott warned. So be sure to educate your new boss about your work, projects and contributions.

Having a Low Profile

If no one outside of your immediate team knows who you are or the value you bring to the organization, especially in the C-suite, they will likely view you as replaceable, noted Meridith Elliott Powell, a business growth strategist.

Meeting or even exceeding performance goals isn’t enough, she said. When executives sit around a table deciding who to keep, they look for employees who provide significant and meaningful contributions to the organization and help it achieve its goals. If they have heard of you, then your reputation is already working on your behalf.

Never let your manager advocate for you or count on them to speak up on your behalf, Powell added. Seize control by being assertive and adept at promoting your work and attributes.

Being Easy to Replace

Ask yourself: “What would happen if I left?” If your skills are the same as others doing a similar job, you could be considered redundant and at risk of being laid off.

Strive to be adept at doing more than one job, allowing you to contribute to different areas and potentially handle a heavier workload. Most of the time, your job security is going to come down to how hard you are to replace.

Not Having an Ownership Mindset

When a member of your team needs additional training or mentoring, do you volunteer? Or are you strictly a “nine to fiver” who displays no inclination to work extra hours or take on extra responsibilities? That attitude can cost you your job, Powell warned.

Employees with an ownership mindset take responsibility for decisions and outcomes; they are engaged and willing to go the extra mile. The reality is that top management wants to attract and retain talented people who really dig into their work.

Receiving Poor Peer Reviews

In theory, peer code reviews are supposed to help inexperienced developers improve by providing feedback and suggestions for correcting defects in code and design. But that’s not always the case.

Some companies don’t want to invest time and money training junior or mistake-prone developers, so they terminate anyone receiving poor peer reviews for negatively impacting team productivity.

Refusing to Return to the Office

Some remote workers mistakenly think that returning to the office (RTO) is optional. But companies aren't just suggesting that you come back—they're mandating it. And failing to comply with any company policy can get you fired.

Talking Smack on Slack

If HR gets a complaint of harassment or discrimination for a joke or disparaging comment you made about a peer on a Slack channel, you could be fired for violating a zero-tolerance policy.

Remember Slack (or any type of company intranet platform used for internal communication and collaboration purposes) isn’t private. Anyone can take a screenshot of your messages and lodge a complaint. Always check your company's specific policies and guidelines to understand what is considered acceptable behavior.

Stealing Time

Having someone else log in or badge in for you in for you so it seems like you’re working when you’re really not could be grounds for immediate termination, Elliott said.

Whether you work remotely or come into the office, today many employers are using employee monitoring systems and software to track activity, monitor productivity, prevent data breaches and optimize inefficient workflows.

Whether it happens unintentionally or on purpose, accepting pay for hours not worked or time theft is a serious offense that can result in disciplinary action, including being booted from your job.

Giving Notice

While termination laws vary, in most cases an employer can let you go on the spot after you’ve given notice, turning your resignation into a termination. If your timing is off, you may lose the right to receive a bonus you were counting on, especially if it's discretionary and you may have to explain to prospective hiring managers why you were let go.

Be sure to check your company’s policy and consider all of the ramifications of your timing before giving notice when resigning from a job.