Options

FIRED!! (wrongful dismissal R ?)

edited May 2009 in Strut Central
Exactly 5 months after starting a job, I was let go without notice.I passed the 3 month probationary period with flying colors and have made significant contributions during my time there.There were no disciplinary issues. I never missed a day of work, never late, never pulled into an office to talk about anything I was doing wrong, etc.I was told that I was being let go because of "fit". The real reason (I assume) is that the manager wants to replace me with the temp who has become a smoking buddy over the same period of time.I'm no lawyer, but this sounds like wrongful dismissal. That said, I have only been employed with them for 5 months.Is it worth my while to take legal action?What can I expect in terms of financial compensation, and how long do these things take before being resolved?Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

  Comments


  • SoulOnIceSoulOnIce 13,027 Posts
    What is "fit?"

  • ElectrodeElectrode Los Angeles 3,085 Posts
    A company can do that without notice. You, I assume, signed a paper agreeing to those terms. Whether it's unfriendly and bad form is up for debate, but it's perfectly legal.

  • GaryGary 3,982 Posts
    damn, you shoulda joined a union!

  • Options
    By "fit", I was told that I was not "entrepreneurial" enough.

    I pointed out 4 things I had done that were "entrepreneurial". Numbers were doubled over the same period last year that prove my work.

    Manager then talked about my need for "structure" (asking questions about accounts I was responsible for) and that they can't provide me with "structure" (ie) she can't be bothered to answer any questions I have--I need to go figure shit out on my own.

  • LaserWolfLaserWolf Portland Oregon 11,517 Posts
    damn, you shoulda joined a union!

  • Options
    A company can do that without notice. You, I assume, signed a paper agreeing to those terms. Whether it's unfriendly and bad form is up for debate, but it's perfectly legal.

    There is nothing in the contract about being let go without notice, and there is such a thing as 'employment standards'.

  • phongonephongone 1,652 Posts
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment

    At-will employment is a doctrine of American law that defines an employment relationship in which either party can break the relationship with no liability, provided there was no express contract for a definite term governing the employment relationship and that the employer does not belong to a collective bargain (i.e., a union). Under this legal doctrine:

    ??? any hiring is presumed to be "at will"; that is, the employer is free to discharge individuals "for good cause, or bad cause, or no cause at all," and the employee is equally free to quit, strike, or otherwise cease work.[1]

  • Jonny_PaycheckJonny_Paycheck 17,825 Posts
    was it an "at will contract"?

  • CousinLarryCousinLarry 4,618 Posts
    Yeah, the only exception to at-will is if they let you go based on race, age, gender or another protected class.

  • CousinLarryCousinLarry 4,618 Posts
    Oh and they have to pay 65% of you cobra if you have health insurance. You can thank Obama for that.

  • ZEN2ZEN2 1,540 Posts
    I believe at-will is state by state. You'll need to see if your state is one of those.. I know Virginia is one.

  • marumaru 1,450 Posts
    Yeah, the only exception to at-will is if they let you go based on race, age, gender or another protected class.

    and that's always difficult to prove

  • RockadelicRockadelic Out Digging 13,993 Posts
    Call your State Employment/Workforce Commission.

    Explain your story and ask if you have a case.

    It's free.

  • Big_StacksBig_Stacks "I don't worry about hittin' power, cause I don't give 'em nuttin' to hit." 4,670 Posts

    Exactly 5 months after starting a job, I was let go without notice.

    I passed the 3 month probationary period with flying colors and have made significant contributions during my time there.

    There were no disciplinary issues. I never missed a day of work, never late, never pulled into an office to talk about anything I was doing wrong, etc.

    I was told that I was being let go because of "fit". The real reason (I assume) is that the manager wants to replace me with the temp who has become a smoking buddy over the same period of time.



    I'm no lawyer, but this sounds like wrongful dismissal. That said, I have only been employed with them for 5 months.

    Is it worth my while to take legal action?

    What can I expect in terms of financial compensation, and how long do these things take before being resolved?

    Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

    Hey,

    I'm sorry to report this, but essentially, you haved no recourse if you were employed in an employment-at-will state. As others have pointed out, you might have some footing if you're a member of a protected group (e.g., racial-ethnic minority, woman, older worker 40 and above, disabled, etc.), but most discrimination claims made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are dismissed without merit (check it out here EEOC Charge Statistics). Plus, the EEOC only takes on very egregious cases of discrimination, particularly class action suits, given the costly nature of such litigation. You're better off devoting your energies to finding another job. I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune and I wish you well.

    Peace,

    Big Stacks from Kakalak

  • batmonbatmon 27,574 Posts
    damn, you shoulda smoked w/ dude!

  • faux_rillzfaux_rillz 14,343 Posts
    was it an "at will contract"?

    I doubt whatever document he was referring to is actually a contract--that's probably the first clause.

  • GrafwritahGrafwritah 4,184 Posts
    What is "fit?"

    Kind of a crappy Wikipedia article:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality-Job_Fit_Theory



    Better known as person-job fit, or p-j fit.

  • Options
    Thank you all for your input and advice. I live in Soviet-Kanuckistan and will have a quick consult w a labour lawyer to see if it's worth it. I will spend the majority of my energy on moving onto another job.

    Thanks again, guys.

  • BrianBrian 7,618 Posts
    More time for important charity work?

  • bassiebassie 11,710 Posts
    I live in Soviet-Kanuckistan

    you can always try the United Gold-Plated Wonderland States of Atlantis - I hear their economy and social programs are amazing.

  • Options
    More time for important charity work?

    Wow. Really dude? Way to kick someone when they're down. I mean, ideologies aside, losing your job on some wack pretense is tough. You're STILL not over that shit from months ago?! lol...

  • Options
    I live in Soviet-Kanuckistan

    you can always try the United Gold-Plated Wonderland States of Atlantis - I hear their economy and social programs are amazing.

    Sorry Bassie. I was trying to be cute. I'm actually Canadian.

  • yeah, you'd be better off trying to find a job where errybody dont hate you.

  • akaaka 67 Posts
    Which province are you in? I'm in BC, I know our Employment Standards Act outlines notice requirements for terminations . Any employer can terminate any employee without cause and have them leave immediately, they just have to pay them for the notice period. There will be a statute for whatever province (territory?) you're in, just google it, it should be easy enough to navigate.

  • bassiebassie 11,710 Posts
    I live in Soviet-Kanuckistan

    you can always try the United Gold-Plated Wonderland States of Atlantis - I hear their economy and social programs are amazing.

    Sorry Bassie. I was trying to be cute. I'm actually Canadian.

    Me too - trying to be cute and being Canadian.
Sign In or Register to comment.