Q–I work for a small, privately owned company. When I was hired 3 1/2 years ago, the company gave us five sick days and two weeks of vacation pay a year, and, after four years of employment, three weeks of vacation pay. It has just changed its policy–three sick days a year and three weeks of vacation after six years. I feel cheated and don’t know how to deal with this.
A–When companies need to cut costs, benefits and raises are the first to go. Your company may not have made its expected profits and has no choice but to cut back. Also, if your company has a handbook, it most likely states that the handbook is not a contract and policies and procedures are subject to change.
But there is hope. Despite a formal policy on vacation pay, you may be able to negotiate your own deal if you have a close working relationship with the owner or top manager.
Q–I need your advice on this bizarre experience. I was fired after one month of employment. Three days before I was fired, I was told I was doing a great job. On the day I was fired, my supervisor told me they received numerous complaints about me. We had four other staff members in my department, but three of them quit within the month I was there. I had no idea that my job was in jeopardy and I am shocked over this mistreatment. What can I do?
A–Be glad they got rid of you so quickly. If you left another job to take this one, see if you can get your old job back. If you had been unemployed, just start your job search again and forget this company. Some experiences are simply too strange to figure out, but when three out of the four people in the department quit, something is seriously wrong.
In the future, try to be more sensitive to your colleagues’ moods so they will share their feelings and information with you. It sounds like you were left out of the loop, which is why you still aren’t aware of the problems.
Q–My friend said that companies call your references before they interview you. If that’s true, it means your current boss knows you are looking for a new job before you even have a chance to find anything.
A–Your friend is wrong. I have, however, received letters from people this has happened to, but only because the potential employer knew the person’s current employer. Tell your friend that employers who do this are acting unethically and jeopardizing the applicant’s job security. The proper time to check references is with the permission of the potential new employee after a job offer has been made. Then, if the references don’t satisfy the potential employer, the offer can be rescinded.
Q–I suffered from major depression and had to take a medical leave from work. When my doctor said I was ready to return to work, my company fired me without giving me any reason. I had worked for them for 20 years and had an excellent work record. Does a company have a right to do this?
A–I can imagine the hurt you feel after giving 20 years of your life to such an employer. Too many facts are missing to tell you if your company has violated labor laws, but your situation is certainly worth investigating. Call the Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service (312-554-2001) for labor and employment lawyers who will waive consultation fees.
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Problems on the job? Write to Lindsey Novak, Jobs, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611, or via e-mail: AtWorkbyLN@aol.com. No phone calls, please.
