Terminated

[KaBKa]

I was termed at work yesterday. All start at the beginning worked for the company for 1 year 6 months before i transfered to another location total time in the company was 2 years 2 months. Never been reprimanded before i got to the new location.

Short version they have a 3 write up then on forth offense termination policy. I was written up once no question about it i deserved it. Written up again for something i had no involvement in but their standard operating procedures were followed to the letter. Written up again for following their standard operating procedure. And then i was terminated because they claim i instructed a customer to visit an illegal website when in reality the site was not illegal at all and is widely used. After having explained what the website was and providing documentation that it was perfectly legal.

Im not worried about that job specifically but i am being told that because they terminated me for supposedly breaking the law it can come back to bite me with future employers.

 

[cbg]

Well, possibly it can. It is a myth that the only information a former employer can provide is dates of employment and job title. A former employer may legally give a prospective employer who calls for a reference any information that is true, that they honestly believe is true, or which references their honest and supportable opinion. They MAY legally provide the reason your employment terminated, including the specific policies that were violated.

However, just because they legally can provide this information does not mean that they will. Many employer choose to provide only limited information about former employees. That is a choice; it is not required by law. You would have to ask your former employer what information they plan to share in future.

It really has nothing to do with whether or not the website in question was "illegal". It has to do with what information it is the employer's policy to provide.

 

[KaBKa]

Even though i have provided them with proof that it was legal and i was not in the wrong they can still tell a prospective employer their version of why i was fired. And what would your suggestion be? I cant leave the last 2 years blank in my work history that looks horrible as well.

 

[jacksgal]

cbg is this sites (and others) resident expert on Labor law. If she says its so then its so. In my opinion

 

[cbg]

Yes, they can.

And no, leaving two years off your resume would be the worst thing you could do. Your best bet, in my opinion, would be to circumvent them by telling prospective employers yourself what happened, giving your own spin on the situation (without bad-mouthing your former employer) so that they aren't blindsided.

Example: I was let go after there was a misunderstanding about some communications I made to a customer. We were able to get it straightened out without losing the customer but of course they had to make an example of me. I don't blame them for their decision but I want you to know that I've learned to be very careful about how I communicate and you don't need to worry that the same thing will happen here.

This gives them the word that there is a problem; that you are willing to take responsibility for your part in it; that you are not saying anything bad about your employer; and that it's not something that is likely to repeat itself. At the same time, you have not actually admitted doing anything wrong.

Then, if the employer decides to give their version, it's not coming out of thin air, and at the same time you might get a few points for honesty.