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Is it true that once you’re fired from a job, it’s hard to get another one?
People tell me that, but my nephew stole from a job & got another job at a manager’s position. How can that be? I was told I can be fired for having a depressive-crying episode, & employers don’t care if I’m mentally disabled or not.
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It depends.
There’s a saying on Wall Street that if you haven’t been fired that you’re not pushing hard enough. I like to say I have been fired 4½ times. ;-) It all depends upon why you were fired. In today’s economy, getting fired may have nothing to do with you, your performance, or your value. Take Enron for example. Anyone who worked there “got fired” when the place went belly up. And, they were tarred with the stigma of having been there. Fair? Nah, life’s not fair.
Your nephew’s alleged theft? It depends if he was charged and convicted. And, theft of what? Everyone takes the boss’ pencils. In some places, the office supply folks don’t give out pens and pads at back to school time. Or ration them. It depends upon what is on the record. What the old boss will say; most places on a reference check will only say that the person worked there from this date to that for fear of litigation. And it depends about what kind of story one can tell. Lastly it depends upon the perceived need that he will fill.
As far as you and your medical, most states are “at will” states. Meaning the boss can always fire you. They can always do that. It’s about what you walk away with. Various gooferment laws may give you “rights” that can give you a big club to extract a better settlement. To say that employers may not care is probably true, but their CFO, legal department, and HR types sure do. You on the other hand share an interest in keeping stuff quiet since a legal action can be found by a future employer. So, if your current employer nukes you, run to a lawyer. Say nothing; sign nothing! Absolutely don’t sign ANYTHING period. One Wall Street firm “made” you sign a mini severance agreement to get your last check. If you signed it, you basically agreed to waive your rights. If you can play poker like the guys on TV, you too can get “paid off” to go away. You have to realize that once they decide to fire you, you’re gone. The only question is what you get to go away. It usually in both sides interest to keep it quiet.
Hope this helps,
fjohn
Reinke Faces Life 