Have you been fired for no reason? Were you completely blindsided by your termination? Are you left with nothing but bad memories and the stench of betrayal that clings to everything associated with your former place of employment? If so, then consider yourself in good company.
According to a study conducted by the American Arbitration Association, up to 80% of all American workers have been fired at some point in their career; and that’s just the 80% who admit to it. There’s a small chance that you are reading this article because you’ve recently been laid off. If so, then there is likely much advice for you here to be found. Here are some useful tips.
Grasp the Termination News
After being fired, some workers are so shocked or angry that they cannot think straight. This is understandable, but it’s critical to grasp the reality of your situation before you react. There are two parts to this initial reaction: You feel hurt, betrayed, or misused by your former employer, and you need to find another job. The former requires immediate attention, while the latter can wait a bit since you are likely not in any condition to commence an intensive job hunt immediately.
You may be tempted to lash out at your employer in words or actions once you process what is happening to you; however, doing so is usually counterproductive. Expressing yourself is good for the soul, but the wrong words or actions are likely to have dire consequences for you in terms of future job prospects.
Know Your Rights
It’s important to grasp the fact that you have certain legal rights that your employer must respect. You may not like these laws, but understanding them will protect you from unscrupulous employers who might try to take advantage of you because they know how vulnerable you feel at this point. As stated by this wrongful termination lawyer in Nashville, TN, employees need to know their rights and follow a certain course of action to protect themselves when fired for no reason. The first thing you should do in this regard is to consult a lawyer specializing in employment law within 24 hours of being terminated.
The attorney can answer your questions and guide you through the process, which begins by filing a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Your lawyer can provide you with a notice of the right to sue, which is your ticket to legal action against your former employer. Once you have received this notice, the next step is usually mediation or an administrative hearing.
Protect Your Reputation
Your reputation is everything, and you need to do whatever it takes to protect it. Once you are fired without cause, the former employer is interested in making sure that others think badly of you. They may discredit your skills or say negative things about you if they think it will bolster their case for letting you go. You have very little legal recourse at this point, and you cannot afford to give the former employer any reason to provide potential employers with a negative reference.
You will need to enlist the help of your friends and family since everyone who knows you has an interest in preventing others from hearing bad things about you. You may also want to build up a positive online presence since others are likely to search for you online on social media sites.
Follow Up on Employment Benefits
On occasion, employers will offer severance packages to terminated employees who have been with the company for a significant period of time. The purpose of these packages is to provide you with some financial settlement and health insurance premiums while you look for another job. If your employer does offer such a package, you must follow up on what they say and make sure that you receive what they promised.
Unfortunately, many employees have been taken advantage of because they let their guard down once they get a settlement offer. Ensure that you have a written employment contract outlining what they owe you before you sign anything.
Do What You Can to Find Another Job
Once you are done with the initial stages, it’s time to focus on your job search. It is easy to get discouraged at this stage because you have just been fired without cause. However, you should do what you can to stay positive and take the necessary steps in finding a new employer.
You will likely be tempted to tell people around you that your former employer let you go for no just cause. This might be cathartic, but it will likely prevent you from finding another job in the future. You need to keep your knowledge of their illegal actions private and ensure they can’t use anything against you through a defamation lawsuit.
While it is true that there are certain circumstances where employees can be fired without cause, it is generally unlawful for an employer to terminate employees without providing them with notice or severance pay in exchange for their services. If you believe that your employer breached this obligation, you may want to speak with an employment law attorney in your state for advice on how to best proceed.
Published on Holr Magazine