Dept. of Labor question?

[ckret01]

This is not for me but I am asking for my brother. After 17 yeras of working at a company he got fired. His one boss and him never got along. But his reviews were always good. Just in January he got a 3.6 out of 4% on his review. He did get written up a few times for being late throughout the 17yrs but his work performance was always good. He had no idea this was coming or there even was an issue. Besides the fact that him and his boss did not get along so I am sure they were watching him closely.

Has anyone gone through this and know if there is anything that can be done?

His HR dept didn't really give any details as to why they let him (I honestly can't remember what they told him but it was vague) they said to wait and he will receive a phone call. This happened yesterday (Tues) and he hasn't heard from them.
Should he call them and ask for a reason why he was terminated?
Does he even have the right to know?
Can he ask for copies of anything that he has every signed there (like reviews and stuff)?

Just trying to figure out what his rights are if there are any. For all we know he is out of luck.

 

[tnkbl]

My DH had the very same thing happen with the exception of years and he and his boss got along. They gave no explanation and would not pay him for the three weeks of vacation that he had coming to him, he was about to take a week on the following Monday when he was fired on a Wednesday. Where we live we have a "Right to Work" law, we also have a "Right to Fire" law, which states that you do not have to be told why you are being terminated.
Ours was a blessing in disguise, just wished it would not have come when we had a newborn.
Best wishes to your brother... it's hard not to be bitter!

 

[C.Ann]

NY is an "at will" employer - so yes, they can fire him for no reason.. However, if harassment or discrimination were involved, he might want to put in a call to the Labor Board..

Also, just because he was fired doesn't necessarily mean he can't/won't get unemployment.. He should go ahead and file for it anyhow.. Unless it was for gross misconduct, stealing, missuse of a company vehicle, or something of that nature, there's a good chance he'll still get the unemployment..