Isn't that just a kick in the pants

[zippyt]

AHH F**K th bastige's !!!!! Sounds like you didn't need to be working there any way !!!!! When they call asking for any info say " how much is it worth to you "????
Good luck in your job hunt !!!!!

[jdbutler]

I suggest talking to an employment rights law firm that specializes in discrimination and termination. Most law firms will offer an initial consultation free of charge and will let you know if you have legal standing to initiate a suit. Non-government employees may file a lawsuit to have his/her employment termination found to be wrongful. If sufficient cause is established, the inquiry into the employment termination will be closed and the termination completed. However, wrongful termination can result in an employer being held responsible for back wages with interest, reinstatement of employment, and often for punitive damages assessed as a deterrent to other employers. If your initial consultation suggests that you have a legal cause for action, some lawyers may take your case on a contingency fee basis.
You may also want to contact your area's Neighboorhood Legal Services to see if you qualify for free legal services. Good luck.

[lookout123]

ok, if you have recently filed a complaint of any type with the company and an individual who was a part of the complaint was involved in the decision to terminate you will be able to pick your lawyer because they will generally line up to take your case on a contingency basis. anything that even remotely appears to be retribution is a big no no. that is why, generally, if there are performance issues after a whiste blowing event, the managers in question would not be involved with the disciplinary action.

most major companies require a 4 step process to terminate anyone outside of their probation period. each step has to have a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 60 days before it. the steps are 1) Verbal warning (stop what you are doing, here is how to get on the right track again. 2) if behavior continues, 30 days later = written warning. 3) if it still persists, final written warning. 4) if you just keep going down the path Termination.

That is a 120 day process that requires very careful documentation on the part of the supervisor with signoff from HR along the way. written warnings have to have your signature acknowledgin receipt. these MUST be kept in personnel file.

The exception is if you are found guilty of fraud or flagrant violation of company policy which may have opened them up to a lawsuit.

If this wasn't the case then i would recommend not speaking to your previous employer, but contacting a couple of attorneys to hear what they say and go from there.

but from what you have told us i would say you have a good case. i know that if i was in their shoes i wouldn't even go to court over it. there will be depositions and they will call you names, but they will settle for $$$$$$ to keep their name from the front page.

[Dagney]

Originally Posted by lookout123

there will be depositions and they will call you names, but they will settle for $$$$$$ to keep their name from the front page.

Thanks for the advice folks...I'm thinking about all of it, and will let you know what I decide.

And no, there was no four step path - just a kick out the door - and I can't see that what I was accused of was any violation of a policy OR an open door to sue the company. That's the part that seriously cheeses my goat.

Anyone who knows me personally knows where I work - and they've been all over the front pages of the papers locally, as well as nationally for the past few years....

I just didn't get a 39Mil golden handshake like other folks who get fired.

Dagney