Not the best start to 2008

[truffles 2]

Well....my husband ( USC) was uncermoniously fired last night, despite being very sick, having been in bed for 3 days.

So that means there is two of us down the jobcentre on Monday!

The letter he was given seemed a little odd as it stated reasons as

Failure to call the head office on daily basis

failure to regularly service all customers on schedules

Failure to follow directions given from head office

There is a lot of background to this as he confirms ringing in to the office everyday he oftens felt that he was disturbing the office secretary ( who happened to be the boss's wife), some customers he tried to service were not available or didnt want his products - some customers wanted stuff urgently so to keep the customer he would go off route to get the sale, as for directions - they often contradicted what was orginally described in one instance from another. When you consider the job only paid provided you made sales - surely the boss would encourage intiative?

However enough of the bleat - what is done is done and the best plans are to get a job ASAP however i wondered if the dismissal letter is actually up to scratch because it really does only contain those those words above...i was under the impression they had to demonstrate that a written warning had been given and that they had written proof of attempting to help employee rectify any unsatifactory behaviour?

I was suprised that the letter did not contain specific examples of the "offences".....but during my conversation with my husband he did say that when there was contradiction in instruction he would challenge it - and he suspects that may have contributed to the situation. I just wondered if this is how small business in america works?

[bora bora 1]

I'm sorry to hear this...

Good luck in the job search.

The good thing is that the more applications you send out, the better your chances are...

[Reba 2]

If your state is an "at will employment" then there does not need to be written warnings ahead of any termination. That goes both ways, an employee does not have to give notice if they quit, and an employer does not need to give notice if they fire you. Unless the company policy specifically states otherwise.

Here's the Wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will

any hiring is presumed to be "at will"; that is, the employer is free to discharge individuals "for good cause, or bad cause, or no cause at all," and the employee is equally free to quit, strike, or otherwise cease work.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Not all employers are rotten. Sounds like they were just looking for any reason and sometimes it's best that it's done.

Good luck at the jobcentre!

[Jason-Sasha 1]

This scenario scares the ####### out of me, especially while being in this visa process. But, it could be a blessing. Good luck to you both.

[Jeraly 4]

I've heard things like this happening - my OH is constantly worried he might lose his job - he can get written up for anything trivial and it seems he has no union and no contract... I really want to set up my own business and eventually employ someone with decent pay and conditions *sigh* I do worry about it...

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Not all employers are awful though Jeraly, although it worries me as well. Mark works for a smallish company and the head of the company is a lovely chap who invites all the staff to his lakeside cabin for team building days and allows flexible working to fit round child care arrangements. I think it's luck of the draw with these things - a bit like temping here in the UK! I'm planning to temp in the states as soon as I'm able to work so that I can scout around and get a feel for different places before I consider working anywhere long-term.

I already miss long holidays because I used to work in local goverment and then switched to private sector so I could work nearer to my family while I wait for the big move.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Mark and Hannah

[Jeraly 4]

Aww - yeah - temping sounds like a great idea but everywhere is so spread out where we will be living - and I might not be able to drive right away!!! And holidays... well I don't know how I will cope with three weeks a year! All the more reason to get my business up and running asap! Am going to have to work really hard and hope that I make millions

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Aww - yeah - temping sounds like a great idea but everywhere is so spread out where we will be living - and I might not be able to drive right away!!! And holidays... well I don't know how I will cope with three weeks a year! All the more reason to get my business up and running asap! Am going to have to work really hard and hope that I make millions

Three weeks? You might be lucky to get even that!

Really sorry to hear about your predicament, truffles. Hopefully he'll find work in a place with employers who are a little more understanding. Good luck to both of you with the job searching.

[Reba 2]

Yeah, how do you figure you'll have 3 weeks vacation? There's no mandated vacation allowance in the US, so companies are not obligated to give you any time off at all. You'll be lucky to get one week off after a year of service in some areas! Some larger companies will give you 2 weeks, but 3 weeks is rare, and only after several years of working for the same employer would you get it.

If you're an hourly employee, you can probably take off all the time you want. But it won't be paid time off.

[Jeraly 4]

Just going from what my OH has and what he has said is usual with the people he knows Guess it's a good area for holiday - maybe that's why there aren't so many jobs there!! At this rate could end up with 365 days unpaid holiday a year!

[truffles 2]

Thanks everyone - appreciate input and grateful for the kind sentiments....