Got fired without a (real) reason - Sorry, long...

[sbsteel]

Honestly, I highly doubt that suing is the way to go here. Lawyers don't like to sue other lawyers and you would be hard pressed to find someone to sue over this - in the grand scheme of things, it isn't a big enough deal for a lawyer to get involved. There is no obvious discrimination case. It would be expensive and take forever and you still wouldn't be any better off than you are now. If you want to get another job in a law office, you would pretty much end your chances of that if you do sue this employer. Lawyers talk and nobody wants to hire a potential problem (even though we know that you WERE NOT the problem here).

Your best bet is to file for unemployment and collect as long as possible. The employer that fired you has to pay for this and even though they may fight it, they won't win unless they have documentation that they fired you for good cause.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

To echo a previous poster, stop trying to contact them for a reason why you were let go. Go file for unemployment today!

 

[disneyquestions]

I called unemployment - went through all the questions, and then the recorded voice said that they have an overwhelming call volume, and to call back later... great.... At least I've started the process I guess.

Looking at my contract, I get 10 days of vacation/personal days (it should really be 13, but I digress...). I've txted the HR manager asking if I will get them in pay.... I doubt it, but I'll see what happens.

As far as calling a lawyer, I'm not going to. Though I think they deserve it, its not worth my time. Karma is a B and they will get theirs. Especially with all the illegal and korupt (sp?) stuff they have going on there.....

Oooh, and one of the law firms I called yesterday called me back - after talking to the woman on the phone for a while, she asked me to send my resume! I don't know if I have the experience they want/need, but I KNOW I'm a fast learner and a hard worker.

Anyway, thanks for your support guys - Its nice to have a place to vent. Talking to DH is no good - hes just freaking out about the most money. Thanks guys!

 

[Arielle22]

I am an HR Mgr for a company in 7 states and unless there is more to the story, I don't see any reason for a lawsuit.

Despite what a previous poster said, it would be legal to fire you for leaving a coffee mug in the sink even if there was not a policy against it. Handbooks and policies are not legally required.

While having a reason for the term makes sense for the company, sometimes a higher up wants a person gone no matter what. At that time, the company can just say "your services are no longer required".

Also every person has 2 protected characteristics, gender and race. The laws are not written to protect minorities or women only but anyone who is discrimintated against based on certain characteristics.

As for the comment your boss made about hiring a woman with children, it is not illegal to think or even say that (not very smart though) but is illegal if she acts on it. Since you were hired she did not discriminate against you in that way.

I would expect you to receive unemployment since it is not gross misconduct and you were never previously warned your job was in jeopardy.

 

[disneyquestions]

I am an HR Mgr for a company in 7 states and unless there is more to the story, I don't see any reason for a lawsuit.

Despite what a previous poster said, it would be legal to fire you for leaving a coffee mug in the sink even if there was not a policy against it. Handbooks and policies are not legally required.

While having a reason for the term makes sense for the company, sometimes a higher up wants a person gone no matter what. At that time, the company can just say "your services are no longer required".Also every person has 2 protected characteristics, gender and race. The laws are not written to protect minorities or women only but anyone who is discrimintated against based on certain characteristics.

As for the comment your boss made about hiring a woman with children, it is not illegal to think or even say that (not very smart though) but is illegal if she acts on it. Since you were hired she did not discriminate against you in that way.

I would expect you to receive unemployment since it is not gross misconduct and you were never previously warned your job was in jeopardy.

What upsets me, is they didn't say that. They made up lies as to why they were letting me go. They said that everyone had been complaining about me, and I know its just not true. Two of the people (the only two in the office at the time) that supposidly said this, told me in no uncertain terms, that it was a bold faced lie - no one had even spoken to them! Now, could they have been lying to me? Sure. But I highly doubt it. Especially with how my boss had been acting towards me all last week. Plus these girls are new, and don't know everything yet - they were asking me question after questions right up till I left yesterday!

Whatever, its over and done with now. On with my life!

 

[Planogirl]

Yes, on with your life! What a great attitude.

I don't blame you for wondering about this though. What a bunch of jerks at that law office.

 

[RitaE]

My first impression on reading your post was - Wow! Five jobs in 2 years?

I've worked in enough offices over the years to get the feeling it is probably a chaotic office with a whole bunch of drama and turnover going on. I've seen my share of those.

I'm surprised the HR person said anything to you other than "Your services are no longer required" because that would be the standard line for any professional unless they were firing for a reason which would negate an Unemployment claim. And in those cases there is almost always documented paperwork concerning incidents. I'm sure you have much speculation in your mind about the owner's son or they all the sudden decided they didn't want to pay me or whatever -- but you'll probably never know for sure.

I'm glad to hear you filed for Unemployment. For future reference - for everybody ALWAYS file for Unemployment even if you think you won't qualify. The worst that can happen is you are denied and people quite often are approved even when they for some reason think they won't be.

 

[disneyquestions]

Oh, and you know what really sucks - Not only did I leave my Chobani yogerts and coffee creamers behind, I'm also having something that I purchased on Etsy delivered there. I've called and emailed the woman several times to see if she sent it yet (so I can have it sent to my house instead) and she hasn't replyed yet. Oy! LOL

 

[mamacatnv]

Naw, I'm a 30 year old married (to a guy) white girl, so I don't think I have them there. Though about 3 weeks ago the owner (female, not the lawyer) made the comment that she wont hire anyone with kids, and that she wouldn't have hired me if I hadn't told her that I have my parents and inlaws to help out with my kids. I told her that wasn't legal, and her comment was "well then I would have just found something else to not hire you about." Nice, huh....

Another thing - I've known this woman since I was little - she was friends with my older sister. Shes been in my parents house, to my sisters shower and wedding.....

Not exactly legal but not uncommon

I am an HR Mgr for a company in 7 states and unless there is more to the story, I don't see any reason for a lawsuit.

Despite what a previous poster said, it would be legal to fire you for leaving a coffee mug in the sink even if there was not a policy against it. Handbooks and policies are not legally required.While having a reason for the term makes sense for the company, sometimes a higher up wants a person gone no matter what. At that time, the company can just say "your services are no longer required".

Also every person has 2 protected characteristics, gender and race. The laws are not written to protect minorities or women only but anyone who is discrimintated against based on certain characteristics.

As for the comment your boss made about hiring a woman with children, it is not illegal to think or even say that (not very smart though) but is illegal if she acts on it. Since you were hired she did not discriminate against you in that way.

I would expect you to receive unemployment since it is not gross misconduct and you were never previously warned your job was in jeopardy.

I didn't say they can't fire her for that I said that the example of the coffee mug issue without policy to back it up would not be grounds to deny unemployment.

 

[Arielle22]

Not exactly legal but not uncommon

I didn't say they can't fire her for that I said that the example of the coffee mug issue without policy to back it up would not be grounds to deny unemployment.

I apologize for the confusion. I am in agreement with you on the unemployment issue.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Unless you were fired for gross misconduct, which you were not, you can collect unemployment benefits. Your employer can contest it but if they do they will not win. Most likely, they will not contest. It would be a waste of their time.

 

[cm8]

Op, I hope that another door or window opens for you. I wouldn't put much more though into it. I suspect that even if other Law firms were looking for assistance, your name would be on the Do not hire list. I hope that something better comes along

 

[JENOS]

Scenario 1: Your ex-coworkers are not going to tell YOU that they complained about YOU. Most people are cowards and run and hide when confronted. Maybe they were secretly envious on your promotion.

Scenario 2: as pp have stated, the owner’s son might have had something to do with your firing. Sure he only comes in 1-2 a week, but maybe parents thought it was time that he started to earn his keep.

Scenario 3: lawyer A wanted to give you a promotion but lawyer B didn’t, a fight broke out and in order to keep the peace they fired you.

Good luck

 

[Swank]

You should check on your vacation, you may be entitled to some or all of it. It depends on what is stated in the company's documentation. Most employers now have you earn Vacation during the year, so if you haven't taken any yet then make sure you get 1/3 your vacation days (Jan - April). If there is no documentation then ask for all of it. Send a nice letter requesting that all vacation Pay be included in your last paycheck.

Also, in an earlier post you stated you were the first to come in and last to leave? If so were you paid for all that time? Judging by what you have described then you are a Non-Exempt employee. A employer is required to pay all time worked for Non-Exempt Employees even if the hours are part of their regular schedule or not.

I would like to reiterate to all people who are fired/let go to file for unemployment even if you don't think you don't think you are eligible. My wife was laid off from a part-time job at an Elementary School at the end of the year and she collected unemployment even during the summer when she wouldn't even had been working. A colleague of hers with the same circumstances didn't file until the fall, and by that time they changed some rules and she was out a good chunk of money.

 

[fireflymedic]

ahh did you say to trained the bosses son? Either this is the person that complained or they want him in your postion. would be my guess.

who got your old spot?

they say dont argue with someone that buys ink by the 55gal drum (IE the newspaper) as you wont win

dont argue with city hall, as you wont win

and I would think you cant sue a lawfirm as they get there lawyers free and you are paying for yours and they know how to run up the time your lawyer will bill you.,

I would try to get a referell in wrighing as there is no way I would let any one call thim and ask for it. As they are not trustworthy. IMHO

 

[bumbershoot]

I told her that wasn't legal, and her comment was "well then I would have just found something else to not hire you about." Nice, huh....

Not a very smart person is she? Too bad she didn't say this in email...

Though I think they deserve it, its not worth my time. Karma is a B and they will get theirs. Especially with all the illegal and korupt (sp?) stuff they have going on there.....

Well, karma is what it is (not bad or good), but what if this experience is what it takes to get their comeuppance for their illegal and corrupt behaviours?

Can you take anything to the Bar in your state about them? Illegal and corrupt actions aren't really looked on highly by the Bar I imagine.

What if you're the person that karma "wants" to use for this?

Not talking about a lawsuit, just saying to report their illegal and corrupt aspects...

While having a reason for the term makes sense for the company, sometimes a higher up wants a person gone no matter what. At that time, the company can just say "your services are no longer required".

It's really too bad they didn't just state this. Especially as a law firm, you would think they would have done just that!