No references
I was terminated without cause after 12 years of employment. This happened after I questioned what I thought (know) was a posting of a check to an expense account, that should have been posted as a draw from owner equity. My boss called me for a conference call. Two other employees were directed to be in on the call. It was then I was told that we would be working towards my separation from the company. I was obviously distraught over the statement made by my boss. After he had put me on hold 3 times I decided I couldn't sit and wait while I was holding my emotions in for him to finish the call. He had stated that I was to call him the next day and we would discuss it. I notified my staff that I would be out of the office the following day because I was really Disturbed and upset by what had transpired. I did however log on to my company email to be sure that anything that needed attention immediately would be addressed. It was then that I found out that my email has been cut off. This was not even 12 Hours after the initial phone call. I have made several attempts my email, phone calls, and left messages with the office that he worked in in an attempt to get in touch with him. I reached out to one of the employees that was in on the initial conference call to find out if he had spoken with the boss. He told me but my boss was too emotionally upset about the separation to speak with me due to our long history of working together. I was told however that they would not contest unemployment. I filed unemployment and did receive it uncontested. Now that I'm trying to find another job I am unable to get anyone in the company to give me a letter of reference. It gives the appearance two potential employers that I was released for something I had done wrong. I am unsure how to proceed and would appreciate any advice possible.
It sounds as though you caught the company doing something unethical or illegal. I recommend you file an EEOC complaint against them (that is, if you are in any kind of protected class.) Then, talk to an employment attorney (first consultation should be free, otherwise, find another attorney...) and see if they will work on contingency. I believe you have a strong case that the employer would rather keep out of the courts and news, so they should be wiling to settle with you.
Unemployment will help you as you progress through their process. Volunteer; talk to friends who are professionals, and use your acquaintances. Join Linked in you will be able to get references in no time. Do not rely on your previous work relationships.12 years at your job and the people you have worked with there well; are now people you need to set aside. Human nature is to look out for number 1 and your co-workers will not be able to be sincere about your working relationship~ don't trust them to serve you as references.Make the break. Don't stay on unemployment for very long it is unhealthy; now is the time for you to venture out and try something new. In doing this you will become flexible and you will add to your experience pool. This might mean more money for you as you progress through your employment experience and history. Don't look back always set your sights forward.
Wow! so they overworked you and because an observation you made, they fired you? and then they hired several people after you left to handle all the tasks you had been assigned? I know that it is illegal to misinform a former employee and that all they should confirm, is the time you worked for them and a "Yes" or "No" they would re-hired you. Wow from the way I understand it, this is wrongful termination case.
First don't worry about the "letter of reference". That's probably company policy. That's the case now for most companies.
You SHOULD have "worked" towards a neutral separation with the company HR instead of just going home. If you had you would not be worried now.
You can STILL contact them (HR) however, and try to ascertain what they tell people calling on reference checks. Probably it is just dates of employment.
You do NOT want to be listed as Ineligible for Rehire ad you can fairly, considering the circumstances, ask for that consideration.
But really most companies, anymore, do not allow managers to write letters of recommendation.
You should file a complaint with the E.E.O.C. for wrong firing also there might be other factors such discrimination, sex, age national origin, race or disability. Please don't let this go follow with your local office and file a formal complaint, Thank You and good luck Beth Stueve.
I know someone who was wrongfully termininated after working on a job 20yrs and they gave her job to some one else for less pay. The thing is the law says they don't have to have a reason to fire you no one would take the case and it was clearly a discrimination going on but it also was @ private company its sad how they can just terminate people for no reason and there's no law to protect the person who is wrongfully accused and fired that's bs and I hope you find someone and is able to sue the shit out of them. 12yrs 20 yrs that's a long time to be with a company and they don't appreciate you.Sorry and Good Luck to you
I'm having a hard time with the boss being "emotionally upset or distraught with you. Reason being is that he's a guy.Did you both have a relationship outside of the office?
I'm sorry Beth for what your going through. But if the state you work in is, like California, an at-will state, they don't need a reason to terminate you. They can just chalk it up to "Her services were no longer required." Or, "We decided to restructure, using lower paid employees to reduce our overhead." Or, they can can say you were out of line to question the posting of the check referenced, or simply say you no longer fit in. Unless you have a contract that guarantees your continued employment (which is unlikely), they are under no obligation to keep you, and not contesting your benefits does not prove guilt. Going forward, in regards to potential employers in the future, perhaps you can use "Laid Off" as a reason for separation. Or, draft an email, showing acceptance of the situation and including a small drafted letter they could copy/paste on company letterhead, to potential employers. The statement, not promoting your work, merely confirming it, and stating something to the effect of your work was satisfactory, but your services are no longer required. Good luck.
Not enough information here. If you were following Accounting protocol, you were doing the right thing and following procedure. Not going into work the next day was the wrong thing because you had done nothing incorrect. Have you spoken with your HR Rep? You need to obtain a clear understanding of what has occurred rather than to assume things. Take it to the top for why this has happened. Further, you can go to your state's local labor board to explain this and learn what "rights" you have. One last thing is that your state may be an Employment "at Will" state which means you can be let go at any time without cause. The whole thing seems like there are missing pieces you are not telling us.
I am in Texas. In Texas a company can dismiss an employee, "Without Cause". In other words, they do not have to state the reason for dismissal. It does, however, sound like there is more going on here. You might want to cotact the ACLU and find out your rights.