Unemployment

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

Thanks for the advice. And to clear things up schneed, I was terminated. Not even by the owner of the business, which I thought was special.

If you signed a contract upon hiring, your employer is bound by any rules for termination set forth in it. If there is an employee hand book, find it, read it and see what procedures (if any) it sets out for the termination process.

It is likely, however, that you were an "at will" employee which means you can be fired for any reason - other than something illegal or unconstitutional (think gender, race, religion, etc.).

And when I say "any reason" that's what I mean. In Maryland, as long as they didn't use the "performance related issues" to cover for something like race (which you would need to prove) and followed their own internal guidelines, an employer can fire you because he doesn't like you, thinks your jokes aren't funny or because he was in the mood to fire someone and you happened to be the first one through the door.

As to unemployment, file for benefits, but it sounds like a "for cause" firing, in which case, you are likely to be SOL.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

If you signed a contract upon hiring, your employer is bound by any rules for termination set forth in it. If there is an employee hand book, find it, read it and see what procedures (if any) it sets out for the termination process.

It is likely, however, that you were an "at will" employee which means you can be fired for any reason - other than something illegal or unconstitutional (think gender, race, religion, etc.).

And when I say "any reason" that's what I mean. In Maryland, as long as they didn't use the "performance related issues" to cover for something like race (which you would need to prove) and followed their own internal guidelines, an employer can fire you because he doesn't like you, thinks your jokes aren't funny or because he was in the mood to fire someone and you happened to be the first one through the door.

As to unemployment, file for benefits, but it sounds like a "for cause" firing, in which case, you are likely to be SOL.

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.

Yup. There's my problem.

I am throwing applications out there and mred, I notice there are a lot of jobs, I just don't have the right experience for most of them. I'm hoping this is my chance to catch a break though.

I'm 26 with 2 college degrees and sick to death of retail.

[Daseal]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

Yup. There's my problem.

I am throwing applications out there and mred, I notice there are a lot of jobs, I just don't have the right experience for most of them. I'm hoping this is my chance to catch a break though.

I'm 26 with 2 college degrees and sick to death of retail.

DRave. Don't let your lack of work experience stop you. Most of the job reqs companies push out are filled with fluff and if they actually found someone that met all their qualifications they wouldn't be able to afford them. Be realistic -- go after entry level jobs if it's a new field. Most importantly, find the field you want to build a career in and apply like crazy. Focus on yourself as a person and less on hard skills. You can teach someone that is interested hard skills.

Cpayne gave me very similar advice when I graduated from my undergrad. Told me that people post wish lists, if you fit anything -- apply. I applied for a job, the recruiter called me back and said I didn't qualify for that job.... but asked me if I was interested in other opportunities. I don't regret a thing, it worked out great for me.

You're in a tough situation, but I've found things normally work out for the best. Do the paperwork you have to do, but keep pressing. Be confident, but modest. Show you're willing to learn and work hard and someone will give you a chance.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.

sounds iike a perfect reason for a union.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by dmek25

sounds iike a perfect reason for a union.

Unions don't provide any protection because they can fire you for any reason in Va. Its also a reason why Va is well below the unemploment rate in the US because itt attracts business. At some point as an employer you get tired of the gov. telling you how to run your business.

[Daseal]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Unions don't provide any protection because they can fire you for any reason in Va. Its also a reason why Va is well below the unemploment rate in the US because itt attracts business. At some point as an employer you get tired of the gov. telling you how to run your business.

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Daseal

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

Your factually incorect. If you look deeper into the numbers then what I have provided here you will see that heavy union states v/s right to work states very greatly. Most of the jobs Obama is saying he created from 2009 to 2012 greater then 70% of those jobs are in WTW states.

PolitiFact | Bill O'Reilly says unemployment is lower in 'right-to-work' states

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Daseal

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

You're a smart man.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Daseal

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

So now explain why on average the other 21 Right to Work states have lower unem.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.

Wow. So as an employer you don't even need to document performance issues? Can an employee even bring a wrongful termination suit in VA?

Seems rough on the workers.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Wow. So as an employer you don't even need to document performance issues? Can an employee even bring a wrongful termination suit in VA?

Seems rough on the workers.

Seems rough but how many employers fire good/hard working employees? I don't know of any and if your boss/employee does not like you why would you want to work for them in the first place.