Tim
Valparaiso,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 03, 2004
Ukiah is exactly right. Absent a contractual provision that grants you some kind of security in your position, or an expression by a person authorized to make such an expression that your employment would continue, you are an "at-will" employee. The vast majority of employees today are at-will. The tenured employee is going the way of the person who can drive a manual transmission. And yes, as an at-will employee, you may be terminated at any time, for any reason so long as its not forbidden by law (i.e. discrimination or an FMLA case). Sorry about the luck, but it sounds like this wasn't such a great job in the first place. I know this is of little solice, but hey, crappy jobs are a dime a dozen these days. As for my perspective on the two weeks notice, I say to hell with giving two weeks notice to an employer (unless you really like them and would feel bad not doing so). They won't be giving you two weeks notice of a termination, so why should you give them the luxury? Best of luck to you James, I hope you are able to quickly find gainful and enjoyable employment.
Tim
Valparaiso,#3Consumer Comment
Fri, December 03, 2004
Ukiah is exactly right. Absent a contractual provision that grants you some kind of security in your position, or an expression by a person authorized to make such an expression that your employment would continue, you are an "at-will" employee. The vast majority of employees today are at-will. The tenured employee is going the way of the person who can drive a manual transmission. And yes, as an at-will employee, you may be terminated at any time, for any reason so long as its not forbidden by law (i.e. discrimination or an FMLA case). Sorry about the luck, but it sounds like this wasn't such a great job in the first place. I know this is of little solice, but hey, crappy jobs are a dime a dozen these days. As for my perspective on the two weeks notice, I say to hell with giving two weeks notice to an employer (unless you really like them and would feel bad not doing so). They won't be giving you two weeks notice of a termination, so why should you give them the luxury? Best of luck to you James, I hope you are able to quickly find gainful and enjoyable employment.
Ukiah
New York,#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 02, 2004
If not, then you are considered to be employed "at will", and therefore can probably be let go at anytime the boss feels like it. In fact, millions of people in the US are in the same situation, it's quite common. Are you in a union? If so, I would certainly seek their input. If not, you're now unemployed. Without a contract, you can leave at will, and they can let you go at will - assuming that it was not for a select few reasons like age discrimination, race, gender, and so forth. As far as recourse goes, I assume that you are NOT a poker player. I say that because what happened here was that you bluffed ("I'm leaving in two weeks"), your former boss called your bluff ("Don't wait, leave now"), he was holding all the cards and you're now on the street. Sorry about the timing, but you're the one that gave your notice. Put yourself in his shoes. Why should the boss continue to pay someone who he already knows is leaving? Look at it like this: If you had found a great job just 2 days into your 2 weeks notice period, are you actually claiming that you would NOT have taken it and would have worked the full two weeks at your old job? And that's exactly why he immediately let you go, as I would have also done myself, by the way. Good luck!