DISCUSSIONS

Anyone in social services or in employment law?I have been in a slump for a week now.

Anonymous Image

Anonymous

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Anyone in social services or in employment law?I have been in a slump for a week now.

I got terminated last week due to something that got flagged in my background check. I was transparent and disclosed about my DHS founded child neglect. Other than that I do not have a criminal history. I am still waiting for the letter from the company that does background checks to confirm why I was fired and then submit an appeal for my job. It was a county job in Health & Human Services. I helped people obtain housing. Nothing was face to face, but I was told it could be a light case management load in thr near future. I was only there for 3 weeks. I am so disheartened. It is such bad timing. I also am now not able to afford a family law attorney for the upcoming custody battle that is taking place in a month. I have a degree in Behavioral Health and I figured I would utilize it and do entry level social services. Do I need to do a career change? Has anyone been in my shoes and been able to clear their name with DHS/child welfare? I also believe I was discriminated against for having mental health issues when my child was born. I explained that I always reached out, got into counseling and went to the ER if something was amiss. Please advise.

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always

Like

19 comments

Share

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

19 Comments

Join the conversation
  1. Anonymous

    Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. I was never in your shoes, but if I would be in your place, I would definitely change my career. Wishing you the best of luck!

  2. Anonymous

    Advice to OP to change her career is reactionary.

    OP, if you want to stay in this career, then find out as much as you can first before making decisions, i.e. find out the specific reason, talk to an attorney, and do some research as to how this past charge might impact you in the field in general. That's a great place to start.

  3. Anonymous

    Not necessarily reactionary. If the job requirement is this particular clearance, with a founded report (whether disclosed or not--they should have informed during interview they would not be able to hire without clearance), you will not get that clearance and will not be hire-able in this type of role. Once there is a founded report, unless you can get it reviewed and reversed, it is next to impossible to be hired in any kind of social service, education, healthcare type role. Lawyers are expensive--talking $5,000 just for the initial retainer and then it goes up from there.

  4. Anonymous

    I am going off the information OP included in her post. From what I can tell, she doesn't quite know all the details yet.

    Others on here have suggested she follow through to find out exactly why she was terminated, talk to a lawyer, and in general find out what possible courses of action might be. I think this is the wisest thing to do as well.

    So yes, until OP knows for a fact that "the job requirement is this particular clearance", then to tell her to change fields/jobs is indeed reactionary.It's best that she can make a more fully informed decision than act on the basis of speculation if it's possible for her to learn more about the situation.

  5. Crystal Howell

    Some high powered attorneys have done pro bono work, Google them contact eeoc for reference on termination in your state they may have a list, contact unemployment for information, keep good records. Fight, you slumped long enough.

  6. Laurie Jacobs

    Will the same people help with my boss coming to work drunk. Belittling me, completely not talking to me except for noted and thru coworkers. I did call her out on her drinking! I believe I have had anxiety attacks the last 2 days because of this. Very hostile environment for me, no one else.

    Thanks

  7. Anonymous

    No, those attorneys won’t help with these issues with your boss. You’re projecting and trying desperately to shift attention to another issue rather than focusing solely on your termination. This isn’t a good strategy.

  8. Anonymous

    I don't think the person posting about their boss is the same person as the OP.

  9. Anonymous

    Anonymous who wrote: "No, those attorneys won’t help with these issues with your boss. You’re projecting and trying desperately to shift attention to another issue rather than focusing solely on your termination. This isn’t a good strategy."

    You wrote your reply as if the OP wrote the comment about her boss coming to work drunk. OP did not write that comment, someone else did. OP doesn't need any more crap coming her way.

  10. Anonymous

    If you disclosed your DHS-founded child neglect case, on what grounds would they clear your name? Sounds to me like these claims were substantiated.

  11. Linda Eavens

    Even so, children grow up, cases get closed. Unless she is a repeated sex offender don’t these things have a statute of limitations? I suppose it depends on the severity of the charges.

  12. Anonymous

    In NYS, until the youngest child is 26 years old IIRC. Am in a similar boat and have to career change after almost 35 years--all because I was trying to keep the child from hurting us both and no one helped. Instead made an anonymous report and now career over. Have been trying for 3 months for a copy of the report and just can't afford a lawyer. Now trying to get a full-time retail job because sitting behind a desk is just not appealing to me and would drive me crazy, despite the salary potentially being a little higher.

  13. Anonymous

    I am not an attorney but the specific charge that came up in your background check may have violated what is called a bonafide work requirement and termination would be allowed by law, whether you were transparent or not. Particularly if the job could have a case load. You can always consult an employment attorney for a consultation and they’ll make you aware if you have grounds for a case.

  14. Anonymous

    I was a drug addicted healthcare professional. All I can say is time and consistency with changed behavior can work miracles. But it has to be your priority. “Make your mess your message”. Do the work necessary to make sure this never happens again. Examine circumstances that got you there, and diligently put safeguards in place to prevent reoccurrence. I wasted years feeling like a failure and being my own worst enemy. Now doors are opening for me that I never imagined. Take accountability for your mistakes and have patience. It can be discouraging at first, but persevere if this is where you want to be work wise. You never know how many people will cross your path that have been in similar situations and need your help, or will be motivated by how you dealt with it. I wish you all the best. It can be a long process but so worth it.

  15. Liz Milne

    Is it possible that your ex has flagged up these issues as being more serious than they were with your employer in order to affect the outcome of the custody hearing?

  16. Anonymous

    this is definitely something worth looking into

  17. Anonymous

    You should find a different career for a little while. Convictions involving kids or old people are almost impossible to get around for at least 5-7 yrs. But with time and no new charges, you could regain your employability.

  18. Susan Myers

    I am in Florida and have worked in the substance abuse/mental health field for many years as well as an HR professional. In Florida you can apply for an exemption and then there is a review board who review your statements and explanations, letter of personal references from those who know your journey and the steps you have taken to resolve and correct the issues. Also previous employers can be asked to give a personal reference. There references can also come from pastors and therapists. Check online for "exemption" through the agency who submitted the denial. There can be hope but it can takes a lot of determination and patience as well as follow through to the letter on their requests. With out knowing more about the circumstances, this is the best advice I can give. Hang in there and good luck!!

  19. Anonymous

    File for exemption ! It’s like having your record expunged. Good luck

Browse recent posts

Netwroking Event: Treating Interviews as Sales Conversations and Communicating Your Value 11/13 11AM ET
Networking Event: Treating Interviews as Sales Conversations and Communicating Your Value 11/13 11AM ET
When you role ends your experience goes with you....
Ready to land your next sales or marketing role? 🚀💜
Hiii everyone!
I'm. Current looking for remote jobs
See more
Fairygodboss VIP
Achieve your career goals.
Be part of the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support — for free.
Fairygodboss members