Let say you got fired..

The Gaijin · 03-09-2007, 09:50 AM

The end of January I get fired after seven years. Not a mom and pop shop but a big one - in the Fortune 100. Starting with the merger a few years ago, my side lost out big time. Starting with VPs and managers working their way down. My turn was the end of January. I was second to last.

The way I was treated? Poorly - but that's no big deal. I saw a lot worse. Lack of severance? Again, no big deal. Not a lot of money anyway, and my new job more than makes up for it.

What I am upset about is the call I got from the state labor department this week. They are freezing my last week of benifits.(I had a waiting week and three weeks out of work before starting the new gig.)

Apparently - my old company told them I quit. Just walked out the door! The reality is I was very much fired. Exit interview, handed over keys, ID, corp credit card - asked to get my stuff and leave - the whole thing. But I did save the check list from the HR guy (Which I have provided to the Labor Dept.)

The thing is, what gives? Is this really over a few unemployment bucks? Can a large corporation be so cheap? Why would they risk being caught in a lie such as this? Is this some kind of defense? Afraid I'll sue? Afraid they have set some king of pattern?

What do you guys think?

stomachmonkey · 03-09-2007, 09:59 AM

Need more info. Was your position eliminated or were you actually fired for cause?

If they eliminated your position then they can't rehire for it for I think a year. They could be looking to get someone in and can't give them the title.

Also depending on how many people they let go in a specific period of time they are subject to different regulations.

Could be they found they are violating something and need to back down the numbers.

NICKG · 03-09-2007, 10:10 AM

working at pfizer? try novartis, they are about 1 hr commute and you could probably get a train.

The Gaijin · 03-09-2007, 10:13 AM

I was in the process of being fired "for cause" - but it never played out. The process was cut short and I was shown the door. What was written down was mostly subjective nonsence. Anyting based on actual events or written files is pretty much wrong.

The job was very much changing. They may hire someone, but it will be a very different job. I do think there is more to this than a few hundred bucks...

The Gaijin · 03-09-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NICKG
working at pfizer?

That is a bad word in my neighborhood. They are closing a plant around the corner.

stomachmonkey · 03-09-2007, 10:31 AM

Could be in an organization that large that there was a record keeping screw up.

The HR people that handle Department of Labor may be different than the people that handle the Termination stuff.

They get an enquiry from DOL, look at the records, see that your termination for cause was not completed and just assume that you walked out instead.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

"Fired" or "laid off"?

NICKG · 03-09-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gaijin
That is a bad word in my neighborhood. They are closing a plant around the corner.

i know, one of my co workers' brother was a big wig there and got handed walking papers in january.....out of the blue as part of the restructure

The Gaijin · 03-09-2007, 10:53 AM

Lots of viagra jokes. That is where they make the little blue pills.

The Gaijin · 03-09-2007, 10:54 AM

Thanks SM.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

I believe that if you are "fired" (with cause) you are not eligible for benefits, and this may be the approach that they are trying to take. Either way, if the incremental amount of money isn't a big deal, you should consider if it's worth the effort. It's a small world, and I honestly believe that sometimes it's better to take the high road, exit gracefully and avoid the mud.

I had a similar situation once and I quit gracefully rather then fight through some trumped up situation where there was only going to be one winner. In the end, I gave them 2 weeks notice and they needed to ask me to stay on for an extra couple of weeks. Then we had a nice going away party, I walked out with a spring in my step, shaking their dust off my feet. I've never looked back.

The Gaijin · 01:03 PM

Have been taking the high road since they zeroed in on me. Not like it was anyting new, it was just my turn. Every meeting and everthing in writing, I said nothing. I knew what was coming. Kept doing my job well, maintained my industry relationships and found something better.

What finally pis$ed me off was the call from unemployment. And the investigator wanting to know every detail of how and when I left.

Eligibility is not the issue. According to the state rules I am. The question is - did I abandon my desk and my job with no notice?

Am now waiting for copies of all correspondence. Maybe it was a screw up, has has been suggested, but I doubt it. They are too well practiced in this. The approach they should take is to tell the truth and I will find out if they have.