A blow to the ego
Two weeks before Christmas I was "terminated" from my job of over two and a half years. The reason I was given for the termination was job performance. Here's my issue...I basically was the key person in the office and knew the business inside and out. I was never counseled for anything and was not aware that my supervisors even felt this way. In fact I was given my yearly review and a 4% raise 3 months earlier, and a nice bonus incentive for "a job well done." The other side to this whole mess is that my supervisor who I worked very close with for over 2 years was also let go about 3 months earlier. I believe that the reason for my termination really had to do with the change in management and not my job performance. I'm having a difficult time accepting the fact I was fired, and I do not know how to approach potential employers on my "reason for leaving" my previous job. Any assistance on how to just LET IT GO and approach employers on the topic would be greatly appreciated.
Hello, Sorry to hear about this. I would consult an attorney because you may have a case if you actually performed to their expectations. It may be hard to prove, but it is worth looking into. Besides, I believe in making corporations squirm as much as possible because of the control they have over people's lives. How to let it go...Hm, that is hard because it's such a blow to one's self-esteem to be fired. I think that you should let yourself cry, shout, or whatever it is. I think you should not berate yourself if you know you did a good job and keep looking for another job. It is hard to do, but you will eventually recover from it. Depending upon your State, your status (if you are a "protected" class - over age 40, minority, gender, etc.), and the size of the firm you worked for, you may have legal recourse for unjust termination. When the company terminates "with cause" ...in this case based upon claim that your job performance was unsatisfactory there is typically an escalation and a document trail. Sounds like your file is either devoid of any deficiency notice, or actually contains commendation. Of course exempt employees and those working in States that have "at will" employment laws may be less successful in challenging the companies actions. If the company really did terminate you due to some deficiency then they should be able to put that into writing. It is not uncommon for companies to challenge unemployment benefits for employees terminated for "just cause". So this is also a potential problem. It is common for new management to install it's own/new team. Consult an attorney, and explore your legal recourse and assuming you have no case, at the very least the company owes you a specific explanation for your termination. Assuming there is no evidence to support the "job performance" reasoning, then perhaps they will be convinced that "management discretion" was the true cause and they might even produce a letter of recommendation or otherwise act with discretion if approached by your next (potential) employer. Companies take sober, calm, and reasoned people very seriously, so be that way in all things having to do with your issue (keep your emotions in check). Leave legal threats for the attorney to make. Document everything. It is not appropriate for the company to cause you stress or self doubt based upon a careless poorly explained (or bogus) cause for your termination. You however need to get past that. Focus on what you can do for your new prospective employer as opposed to what you did at your previous employer. Withhold any boast about being the key person but feel free to mention that you were recognized for a merit based salary increase and bonus on your last review. At your previous company, your department was subject to restructure by new management, and you were among those impacted. How does that sound?
Believe it or not, I stayed for one year. They kept baiting me for one year, telling me that they have a position for me permanently and that they are just waiting for the financial papers to go through. I belived that for a year (the money was OK) until I realized they were playing me. If that wasn't enough of a clue, I was miserable at my assignment. | |
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