Losing My Job

[MamaRoo]

And DO show up and keep working or they'll fire you 'for cause' for not showing up.

After I refused to resign, my boss told me not to show up while they were processing the termination papers. I then got an email from admin saying I was not showing up for work and in violation of policy. Fortunately I had a witness to him telling me not to return, so it all worked out.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Since the answer is due tomorrow, you need to contact an attorney and the EEOC today. THey will be able to give you legal advice on how to best proceed.

I know you are under a lot of stress, but school should only be lasting a few more weeks, so keep taht in mind, and if it helps, mark the days off on a calendar--doing something to celebrate each remaining milestone--get your favourite ice cream sundae, get a pedicure (lasts longer than a manicure, and OH so relaxing), call up a friend you haven't seen in a long time, go fishing--basically little things that you enjoy. THey won't solve your problems, but might give you a rest from them.

 

[chickened]

Consider whether the battle is worth it first of all. You are having health concerns and stress is not going to help you.

There are ways to subvert unions and employers know them, the one that comes to mind is they will say that they "eliminated" your position and for that as long as they do not hire anyone for that position you are sunk.

I would start looking for greener pastures and put this behind you.

I would stay until they fire you for unemployment reasons which they will undoubtedly deny you at first anyhow.

Don't hire an attorney unless he is willing to do it on a contingency basis only.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Realize that "hiring an attorney" does not necessarily mean filing a lawsuit. It means an appointment for getting legal advice--how does the law apply in the specific situation, what you need to do or not do to protect your rights, and possibly exploring ways that the attorney may be able to help (writing a letter). A first time appointment probably has special rates--lower than for regular work, and much lower than for a suit or other court case. Initial appointments are sometimes free, but that is not common except for cases that are likely to be a contingency suit. Long ways from that point, IMO.

The principal seems to have significantly overstepped her legal bounds, but we only have one side of the story, and an attorney can ask the detailed questions and more fully evaluate the situation.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I had my grad class last night and spoke with my professor who is a former superintendent of a local district.

She said that because I don't have tenure, I really don't have a leg to stand on. They can dismiss me for any time, any reason. She said to use a "neutral letter" and resignation as a bargaining chip. "If the district provides me with a letter of recommendation when I resign, I won't pursue unemployment."

She said that resigning is going to be better than getting fired in looking for a new job and to tell the truth: I had lost a husband, experienced a miscarriage, did not have a prep period at work and needed to recover.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Not all reasons for firing are legal--tenure or not. You cannot fire a person for their race, for being disabled, for their religion, for their gender. There may be more protected classes in some states.

 

[ThatChick]

I had my grad class last night and spoke with my professor who is a former superintendent of a local district.

She said that because I don't have tenure, I really don't have a leg to stand on. They can dismiss me for any time, any reason. She said to use a "neutral letter" and resignation as a bargaining chip. "If the district provides me with a letter of recommendation when I resign, I won't pursue unemployment."

She said that resigning is going to be better than getting fired in looking for a new job and to tell the truth: I had lost a husband, experienced a miscarriage, did not have a prep period at work and needed to recover.

Since you can collect Social Security from your late husband, and therefore would have some income even if you do resign, I agree with the advice you've been given by your professor. Resignation in exchange for a letter of recommendation is an excellent idea. Otherwise, I personally would not resign.

Whether you resign or are fired you'll still have to come up with some type of reason why you are no longer at your previous employer. If you're fired then you'll have to explain why, in a way that makes you look less crappy and like you learned something from it. Basically, tell them your story and then say I probably should have resigned or took leave sooner, but I didn't. Or tell them some other story that you decide sounds better than the truth. If you resign, the prospective employer will still want to know why you're no longer there, so you'll have to come up with a reason that seems plausible, and personally I have been on a million interviews in the last few years and I've learned that the less you tell a prospective employer about your personal life, the better.

These are just my opinions and what I would do based on personal experience. I hope you can get some relief from this very stressful time that you've been having lately.

 

[redhen]

Letter of reccomendation in hand BEFORE you turn in your resignation....
Still I hate bullies..I'd probably fight...

 

[debilorrah]

Letter of reccomendation in hand BEFORE you turn in your resignation....
Still I hate bullies..I'd probably fight...

I would fight. I was in your position once and I gave in, and that was over 20 years ago and it still angers me to think about it. I was accused of something I did NOT do so that the boss's little girlfriend could have a job. The things that little &(*&*(& did to me; I think about it now and people go to jail for less.

 

[Chicks on DL]

I worked in a VERY hostile environment while going through personal and health problems as well and hung in there until she fired me so I could collect unemployment. It has not effected my ability to get this really great job after taking a few months off collecting unemploment. Taking me time was the best thing I ever did. Better times are just over the horizon. Take it from someone who has been there.