My company has been on a firing spree.

Anonymous

December 20,2022 at 2:12PM UTC

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My company has been on a firing spree. I was hired on as a director and made a six figure salary. I had been on the job six months and during this time, I had three bosses. My last boss was located in Central America and he was promoted from a senior manager to a Director with me as a director reporting to him. He’s been with the company over 10 years. He ended up firing me due to performance although he not my previous bosses provided me with any coaching, verbal or written warnings and my mid year review was good! One month prior to that, the female marketing manager was fired, I was fired the following month, another female project manager was let go and now this month a female account executive was let go. We all made over $80k per year and I believe it was more because of corporate financial reasons. They’ve also been repurposing roles in Central America since labor is so much less. It just doesn’t seem right that an employer can do this. I did not receive a severance and I know one of the other managers wasn’t either. We’re in a ‘employer at will’state (Florida). It just seems like women are being let go and our jobs are going to men. Any thoughts on recourse?

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AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 3:25PM UTC
I'm so sorry that this has happened to you and your colleagues. You may consider filing a formal complaint with the EEOC in Florida if you believe that the reason for your firing is discriminatory (https://www.eeoc.gov/data/florida - General information about the laws EEOC enforces and filing a charge: 1-800-669-4000)
AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 4:15PM UTC
While this situation isn't good, hunches about an employer firing women (and some with performance issues) aren't grounds for a viable EEOC complaint.
AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 2:43AM UTC
I am very sorry that you and your colleagues have experienced this.
It doesn’t hurt for you to consult an employment attorney (a plaintiffs’ lawyer who represents employees; first conversation should be free), especially if the other women who were removed agree with your assertion that high performing women are being targeted and replaced by men and join your complaint. Your complaint would be sex discrimination, which is illegal. Your lawyer would earn ~40% of any settlement received.
As your mid-year review was strong, you also might be able to assert wrongful termination.
As you point out, however, the fact that Florida is an “at will” employment state might make it difficult for you to prove your case.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:53PM UTC
if you feel you’ve been discriminated against, your first step is to file a claim with EEOC. Only after they look at your case and make a decision can you contemplate taking this to court- and that’s only if the EEOC rules that they can’t find proof of discrimination-in other words, the agency must examine your evidence and, if it’s obvious discrimination, will make a ruling right there. If it’s not obvious, the case will be released for you to pursue legal recourse. You’ll be able to file into court then, but first you have to exhaust the administrative remedies.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:59PM UTC
Medium to large companies actually have a figure they have calculated they will pay to avoid going to court. They know what a court case would cost them, some instances agree to a slightly less number to pay our directly and avoid going to court. An experienced employment attorney knows where to ask ($-wise) to settle a case quickly out of court.
Dorothy WDecember 23,2022 at 1:20PM UTC
Definitely sounds suspicious and not inconsistent with some things I’ve witnessed. Gather the others and take some action - if nothing else it puts them on notice and they may at least come back with some severance to settle. And warn others on places like Glassdoor where it can be anonymous..
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:36PM UTC
I am so sorry this happened to you. It certainly sounds suspect. One point of clarification—were you fired for cause or laid off for business reasons. If it was for business reasons and not for cause, I think it may be difficult to prove your case. However, if women were fired for cause that were all high performers, you might have something. It doesn’t hurt to seek counsel.
Lisa MarieDecember 23,2022 at 2:04PM UTC
She is in Florida, and as she stated... Florida is an "at will" employment state. This simply means:
In Florida, an employment relationship can be terminated “at will.” This means that an employer can fire the employee, or the employee can walk away from the job, whenever they wish, for any reason or no reason at all.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:36PM UTC
(a) Unless you can prove without any shadow of a doubt that your employer is only firing women due to reasons other than performance, then you're trying to create a false narrative, which doesn't look good on you. This creation of false narrative has become so common that now when someone yells "I'm the victim of discrimination!" they're not taken seriously.
(b) Your employer owns their business, not you. Therefore they have every right to send their job (They own the job, not the employees.) to where it can be done cheaper.
(c) "although he not my previous bosses provided me with any coaching, verbal or written warnings "
Grow up! You claim you were a "director," right? If this is true then you've been around the block a few times and should know how the game is played. As someone who's a member of the senior leadership team the onus is on you to get up to speed. Why are you expecting your employer to hold your hands? You need to dive into your new role and learn everything your need to know, as well bond with the rest of the leadership team.
(d) Move on! Obviously this employer wasn't for you... it happens.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:45PM UTC
Wow, harsh ?
Lisa MarieDecember 23,2022 at 1:54PM UTC
Yes it was harsh or brutally honest, but 1000% factual.
We need to stop putting salve on wounds, and instead push every "Fairyboss bird" out of the "whiny pity party nest" so they can "fly on" to their next best opportunity.
Why does she need to WASTE TIME on recourse, instead of putting that attention and energy into finding her next best opportunity.
Folks need to learn that when someone slams a door in your face, walk away and go find a better door to open!!
CStiggerDecember 23,2022 at 4:15PM UTC
Agreed it is a bit harsh. Similar to you I have been let go 2x in my 17-year career. Both were due to reasons beyond my control (head count / and me wanting to do more work). I've learned those two companies were not the healthy environment for me to thrive. Although I had a ball of emotions during these two separate times, I learned many lessons from the experience: # rule people I work with are not my friends ever, jobs are not forever and I can pivot anytime - therefore I will always keep my options open & speak with recruiters from other companies, especially within the first 6 months of accepting a new position and beyond, I can be replaced at a moment's notice (with reason or without reason), I stick to my 8 hours of work and nothing more, do not ask for more work because it can be viewed as a threat to older employees who want to project their insecurities on younger employees, beware of office politics and stay away from the gossiping men & women, be cordial but again these people are not your friends, get your money and leave. I am wishing you luck on your next opportunity; it is around the corner because hiring opens up every year around Jan/Feb timeframe.
Bradford McCormickDecember 23,2022 at 1:47PM UTC
I am not a lawyer. But NO SEVERANCE? Any lawyers here? Shouldn't you contact one?
Gender discrimination. You may win or maybe not and it may be hard to prove and will it be worth the time and effort and money to try?
For the rest, you answered your own question: "emloyment at will". It;s not like General Electric and IBM in the 1960s: You mean nothing to them so you have no reson for them to mean anything to you. Sad but true. I have coined a new word (or at lesa tI neve heard it anywhere) for what happens to msny of us in our race to the bottom economy (remember corporate "paternalism"?). I call us victims who have to catch work as we can: "giggers".
Bradford McCormickDecember 23,2022 at 1:51PM UTC
Sorry, I should have added: If in the past corporate "paternalism often applied mostly to males, maybe we could today have corporate "maternalism" or call it just plain gender neutral: human empathy.
Lisa MarieDecember 23,2022 at 2:01PM UTC
She was only employed for 6 months, so severance for what?
According to the Department of Labor:
Severance pay is often granted to employees upon termination of employment. It is usually based on length of employment for which an employee is eligible upon termination. There is no requirement in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for severance pay.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/severancepay#:~:text=Severance%20pay%20is%20often%20granted,(FLSA)%20for%20severance%20pay.
GirlBossanova934974December 23,2022 at 1:50PM UTC
I have been involved in an unlawful termination lawsuit in the last 3 years and I won my case with a 6 figure settlement. That being said, you are going to need some sort of written evidence or larger class of injured plaintiffs to make a good case. For instance, 20 years ago, I worked for a company that went with these "Get Rid of the Bottom 10%" of the employees ideas. When the Bottom 10% started to exchange notes, it was found 90% (60 plus people) of the Bottom 10% were over 50 years old. It didn't take long for a 7 figure settlement to be negotiated. I have seen this sort of OFFSHORING going on in a few companies. The company decides to find a large pool of cheap overseas labor. In the majority of cases that I have seen, it didn't end well for the company. Lack of English language skills and a here today, gone tomorrow labor force were the result.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 1:51PM UTC
I'm sorry you lost your job. But your note doesn't mention whether or not any men were fired as well. For instance, were three women and 10 men terminated? Or 3 women and 0 men? It is also important to distinguish the reasons people were terminated. If it truly was only high performing women, and no men were terminated, you can certainly have a conversation with an employment attorney. Many will offer you a free consultation for the initial meeting. If you feel strongly there is mud in the water, they're probably is. Whether or not you have recourse is another thing. Be good to yourself and all the best in your next role!
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 2:01PM UTC
Florida corporations are all on a financial firing roll. I know a company who has quietly let more than 1/3 of their workforce go over a six month period, without cause or reason.. just pink slipped. They are letting go over just under a few hundred very other month. It’s not raising alarm bells because they aren’t massively laying off at once, but it’s added up to several hundred people. Florida lawmakers give huge tax-breaks to corporations to move to Florida, then they sneakily start cutting the workforce. They send abroad, or downside.
Lisa MarieDecember 23,2022 at 2:07PM UTC
Florida is an "at will" employment state, so sneakily it not, both employees and employers can do as they please whenever they choose to end employment.
In Florida, an employer can fire the employee, or the employee can walk away from the job, whenever they wish, for any reason or no reason at all.
Nibor EroomDecember 23,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
This doesn’t mean they can fire illegally !
CStiggerDecember 23,2022 at 4:05PM UTC
What is the name of the company?
Lisa MarieDecember 23,2022 at 2:14PM UTC
You live in Florida and you know that it is an "at will" state. Just as you can walk away from a job at anytime (with or without notice), you know emplyers have the same option with employees.
Why do you want to WASTE TIME on recourse, instead of putting that attention and energy into finding your next best opportunity?
How about you recognize that THAT opportunity was not right for you (no matter how you felt about it).
Also recognize that when someone slams a door in your face, you need walk away and go find a better door to open - instead of standing there beating on the closed door.
Be careful you don't dig yourself into a "pity party" or "revenge for firing me" rut. Use your time to find, and better evaluate other opportunities, until you find THE ONE that is FOR YOU!!
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 3:29PM UTC
This may be true but she at least deserves a severance. That’s most definitely something to fight about. This is why employees are no longer loyal either and jump every so often. Employers clean house without a care so why have employees who go above and beyond if it’s at will? You reap what you sow.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 10:13PM UTC
She was only employed for six months.. no severance pay, would be paid, no matter what state she is in.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 6:28PM UTC
Your advice is narrow minded and allows companies to continue gender bias. I say sue and keep them on their toes. If women don’t fight back, nothing will ever change. I received a large severance in a right to work state as my employer started playing games to get rid of me. I was the only female supervisor. After I fought back, they now have 3 female supervisors. It wasn’t the best situation for me, but I believe what they learned (their lesson) made a difference to other women.
Daniela IancuDecember 23,2022 at 6:36PM UTC
"Employers can fire a person for any reason or no reason as long as that reason isn’t prohibited by law." https://www.evilhrlady.org/2022/01/employment-at-will-does-not-mean-what-you-think-it-means-2.html
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 7:47PM UTC
True but even in at-will states you can't discriminate. This person may have a case if women were fired over male counterparts. At-will doesn't necessarily mean there are no rules.
Crystal HowellDecember 23,2022 at 3:10PM UTC
It's interesting it's all women that were let go, ask a wrongful termination femaie attorney if a class action suit is warranted??? You do not pay unless they win. doesn't hurt to try. It will take months to prepare, update the resume, look for a job, interview etc. If you can get them to settle at least your STOOD UP and tried, and didn't walk away without a fight. Good Luck! Check your employment contract make sure it didn't have a severance clause.? Good Luck
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 3:27PM UTC
Yes get a lawyer. I follow Paige Sparks on IG. She talks about all this stuff briefly on reels but maybe get some advice. She seems pretty smart. She’s not in Florida but she can guide you where you need to go.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 4:48PM UTC
We’re men let go?
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 5:16PM UTC
"At will" only means they can fire you for any legal reason. This seems iffy. I'd talk to an employment lawyer in your state to discuss. And obtain as much documentation as you can, though maybe it's too late. Any prior reviews you have access to, documentation on the firing or surrounding events, etc
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 5:44PM UTC
Definitely file for unemployment.
AnonymousDecember 23,2022 at 7:11PM UTC
Even At Will employers have a duty to abide by state employment laws. I'm in CA & fought back and won not only severance, but also all the OT they owed me (based on my daily written calendar of arrival & departure times) despite the Kronos electronic timecard system. I was there 18 years! Took from beginning of June til right before Thanksgiving & a lawyer, but my name was finally cleared. And I received unemployment for the whole year before landing a better job.
Note: Just don't let this consume you. Put your energy into resume revamping and take care you get exercise, sleep, and healthy nutrition as well as time with fam & friends minus work talk. Best wishes to you.
EPDecember 23,2022 at 10:13PM UTC
I’d love to know on what basis you won. I also live in CA and my job was at will. I didn’t have a contract, my employment offer says at will as did the employee manual. I did get unemployment most likely because I had no warning and no employee violations.
AnonymousDecember 24,2022 at 9:27PM UTC
Responding to EP wanting to know on what basis I won...
I had no contract either. And I did have negative counselings on my record but had substantiated positive responses because one boss was jealous of my relationship with the other (I used to babysit for her child).
They wrongfully accused me of falsifying my timecard by using footage of me leaving at a time that did not correspond to the kronos entry (that my boss instructed to be entered to show 8 hrs of work), but they did not show the footage of me leaving at 1:00 a.m. as well as returning after doing work related errands during the day. So they actually owed me OT.
I just kept calling and calling the HR rep and finally a friend's lawyer had to send them intent. I think they were realizing I was not going away without a fight.
EPJanuary 23,2023 at 6:08AM UTC
That’s great that Kronos think is a good way to get rid of you. They did that to me too. It was a total crock. Kronos didn’t work half the time and managers actually told you to “fix” your time if they found we hadn’t signed in or out by mistake! I did get some money with filing a claim with the state agency for retaliation and overtime but i did appeal the unemployment ineligibility and won but I was only on it for two months. I should have never taken the lame job that I took and stayed on unemployment. I’m out of that profession now and doing something more in line with my intellect and JD. I should Have done more but the company ended up filing for ch 13 so they got their come up ins. (Sp)
EPDecember 23,2022 at 10:09PM UTC
if there is a new boss from who hired then the new one may have a different plan. I don’t think it has to do with gender you said you had performance issues, warnings, and you were at will like most states so it seems to me he followed protocol
IntentionGirl299847December 24,2022 at 11:28PM UTC
Document and get dates and facts over women being fired and men kept or hired. Call EEOC and report gender discrimination, They find the company is guilty you take the company to court.
AnonymousDecember 25,2022 at 1:44PM UTC
Sadly, It seems that everyone was let go so that the company could out outsource its management. I would try to document everything. I am sorry you had to experience this.