Comments on: HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR GETTING FIRED FROM YOUR JOB WITHOUT CAUSE? Is this fair? 1

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:04:52 +0000

My company was restructuring and they were reducing the management staff from 5 to 4. I was number 3 in seniority, number 1 in performance, and number 2 in salary. At the end of one day, I was called into a room and told I was being suspended pending an investigation into a supposed safety infraction that had occured a week and a half earlier. 2 days later I was canned for ‘gross misconduct’ and I was never replaced. This was after 6.5 years of great performance, 2 promotions, and no write-ups. They then repeatedly appealed my unemployment until I had to have a hearing. The hearing officer said there was no ‘just cause’ for me to be fired. So my question is, How do I adress the fact I was fired, even though it was obviously textbook downsizing? I know from conducting interviews that no one wants to hear a 5 minute rap that makes you sound like a conspiracy theorist, even if you did get the short end of the stick?

By: rick

rick — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:24:59 +0000

Can an employer legally say (in louisiana) So and So is not rehirable to a new potential employer calling to check references?

By: Darlene McDaniel

Darlene McDaniel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:08:27 +0000

Hi Antiquelover08! I am sorry to hear about what happened to you. My first recommendation to you is to go back to the HR manager and find out how they are coding your termination. They know whether they are coding it as “fired, not rehireable”, “laid off, rehireable or not rehireable”. The organization is very clear about how they have coded this termination. You need to know. You also need to know what they will say when someone calls to verify employment. What will they say to them? You need to ask that question so that you know how to report your termination on future applications.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to visit me at Interview Chatter. You can leave a comment or send me an email.

Darlene
Interview Guru
http://www.interviewchatter.com

By: antiquelover08@verizon.net

antiquelover08@verizon.net — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:30:59 +0000

I was terminated without cause from a “religious” organization. Less than a week before the release I received an email from my trainer saying I was TERRIFIC!! And I had received flowers from the organization stating they were happy to have me and that I was doing a great job. I was never given a reason. I am 65 years old.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:29:35 +0000

Hi Richard, interesting question you ask. What I recommend to my clients who are transitioning from terminations into the interview process, attempting to get new employment.. you must get a clearer answer from the organization. They may not be giving you a good reference, but that is really not the question you want to ask. Go back to the HR person and ask, “What will you say, when another company calls to verify my employment?” If they are going to give details about what happened in their organization, I would recommend you go back to your attorney and get clarity about the laws in your state. Most organizations who terminate employees do not give any specific information. They verify employment dates, salary, and whether they will hire you again. The specifics typically can lead to lawsuits. Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions.

Darlene
Interview Guru
http://www.interviewchatter.com/

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:34:46 +0000

I have been looking for info like this. I recently was corporately restructered. I asked if I could have a good reference. They said no because of all the performance issues. I asked them to explain that, and no one could come up with a good reason. No issues had ever been brought to my attention. I think it stemmed from me looking for another job and and it was leaked back to my boss to the point he confronted me on it. So, how do I deal with the issue of not having a good reference? Would it also be wise to mention that I had a lawyer involved and we won a small judgement?

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Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:59:57 +0000

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Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:32:08 +0000

[...] cannot be fired or released from your job without cause. In the US, you often can be. Is this fair? Accounting Solver Interview [...]

By: cameron

cameron — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:15:03 +0000

It seems like companies can do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it. They can always find a reason if needed.

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Iraq, Education, Health Care, Highways: Nothing’s as easy as it looks. — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:49:38 +0000

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