1.89k
Discharged Without "Just Cause"
I started my job on January 28, 2019. And, in early May 2019, I filed a formal complaint with HR against my manager; after he sent out an animated cartoon of a young girl wearing a micro-mini skirt twerking.
Because this is the example he set, several of my coworkers followed his lead. With his encouragement, they pranked my laptop 5 times, used the "P" word, and made other sexually related comments. Needless to say, there was a lot of tension in the department.
Four days before my one-year anniversary, I was discharged.
Unemployment found that I was discharged without "just cause" and approved by claim. (The VP of HR agreed that she would not fight the claim.)
I'm not anger with the company. They are aware that this manager has some issues, and are addressing them the best they can. And, to be honest, not having to deal with them or their insecurities is a relieve.
However, what do I need to share with a potential employer? Many employment application ask "Reason for Separation". How much detail do I give them? In addition, is there a way to find out what the company is saying about me? And, to make matters interesting, I'm over 55. Ageism is real.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/22/20 at 5:29PM UTC
I agree. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how much politics played a role in how the VP of HR responded.
You're right, this was not a good cultural fit. And, this is an excellent way of explaining the separation. Thank you!
Lindita Duraj
98
05/21/20 at 3:49PM UTC (Edited)
First of all, the VP oh HR should have taken a better stand on the issue. She shouldn't be on the position of HR, if she cannot protected, educate and repremend properly. Secondly, when you are faced with the question from the new employer about the cause of separation, in my opinion, you should say that it wasn't a culture fit for you, and you are looking for a company that embrace inclusion, diversity and belonging.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/20/20 at 11:37PM UTC
I agree with you. Age is only a number. We are not getting older; we are getting better!
I appreciate you. :)
RoseAnn Scallan C Martin
15
06/06/20 at 12:39AM UTC
Thank you. I appreciate you too. I'm reading a bok written by the CEO of AARP. She's great and has lots of good advice and ideas.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 7:51PM UTC
Never take for granted that by someone's age they are not current with technology. Never define someone by their age. Many times over an individual is an asset because of their experience and wisdom in accomplishing the work and seeing success through to the end.
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.66k
05/20/20 at 4:13PM UTC
I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that manager, that you were let go and that you had to deal with unemployment.
I will agree with what has been said above:
1. Don't bad mouth your last employer (of course)
2. You don't have to say that you were fired - come up with another way to phrase your departure from the company. "I had the opportunity to leave, so I did left to pursue other options" or "the company was downsizing and I took that opportunity to pursue other options"
3. it's my understanding (and it's been confirmed above) that your previous employer can only say that you started on this date and you left on that date.
4. Ageism is alive and well, and perhaps growing in this technology age. "You are the age of my mother and she can't use a smart phone, so you obviously don't understand anything about technology XYZ".
Depending on your expertise and your field, try to focus on your experience and the benefits that that experience brings when reviewing your resume and building your new story.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/20/20 at 5:22PM UTC
Hi Barb,
Thank you for your suggestions.
I am a former desktop analyst and software specialist. I worked for a marketing /advertising company as a support representative.
The company has 43+ client companies. Each client company has its own self-serve website. Our clients advertised on social media, radio, TV, print, digital and many other mediums. I am very familiar with technology.
However, my former coworkers are between the ages of 24 and 38, my former manager is 52. It's unfortunate that they don't understand the importance of social and business etiquette.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 3:52PM UTC (Edited)
I don't know what type of job you held or what type of company this happened at, but I would not give a potential employer much detail about why you left because unfortunately it will only make you look bad, not the employer. Not fair, I know! But you should never bad mouth a previous employer because it only comes back on you. And yes, ageism is VERY real - and again, not fair.
Always take the high road. You can tell them that it wasn't a good fit or something generic. However, you do have the right to ask that employer for a copy of your personnel file so that you can be aware of what they wrote in it. Technically (could be legally too, depending on the state you are in), past employers are NOT allowed to tell potential employers much more than to verify that you worked there and your dates of employment. In most states past employers aren't even allowed to reveal your salary anymore. If they do, you could take them to court. But you need to carefully consider the time and cost (both financially and emotionally) before doing something like that. I have been in your position before. It sucks and really hurts. But sometimes its best to just move on.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/20/20 at 5:47PM UTC
I appreciate your comments and insight.
I worked for a marketing/advertising company. The company is owned by a group of venture capitalist. We have offices in several states and two offices in India.
Your right, you should never bad mouth a former employer. However, I am angry.
During the interviewing process, I feel that my former manager was not transparent. His motives for hiring me were not "honorable".
After all, why would you hire someone who is completely different from everyone else in the department? Zak, my former coworker, said that "I didn't know what I was getting myself into". And, he was right.
If a company has a department that has issues, they need to resolve those issues within that department, before hiring any additional staff.
Anonymous
05/20/20 at 6:10PM UTC (Edited)
I was a Director of Marketing for 3 different SaaS Software companies. I am 62 but thankfully look 50. I keep up with all the latest technology and can dance circles around all the young marketing people out there. But I am constantly battling ageism and most employers assume I haven't kept up and won't event interview me. So I can testify to the ageism that is alive and well. But you were treated unfairly and you did nothing wrong. So like Lpmccartney stated, Hold your head high! Things happen for a reason and things usually turn out for the better. Trust me, six months from now, when you are in your new job, you will look back at this and think "Thank God I got out of there!" That time will be here sooner than you know it! LOL...
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/20/20 at 6:17PM UTC
Thank you for sharing!
LISA MCCARTNEYDegrees in Business Management and Marketing.
300
05/20/20 at 3:26PM UTC
Let me answer the 2nd question first. Legally they can give dates of hire and in some rare cases if you could be rehired. As for the 1st question, I would say that I would never say fired or let go. Find a spin that doesn't also reflect poorly on them. Hold your head high, you did nothing wrong
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEProject Coordinator in Ohio
1.89k
05/20/20 at 5:33PM UTC
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Interesting enough, I worked for a marketing/ advertising agency. The company is owned by a group of venture capitalist. The reviews and comments posted on Glassdoor are not positive. A VP recently posted a glowing comment about the company -- his attempt at damage control. I do wish the company well. They are a lot of great people that work there.
