Q–After working for 10 months for a large corporation, my supervisor told me I was doing a good job. Two weeks later I was let go and not given a reason. I checked with a lawyer who said that in Illinois, an employee can be fired for no reason and that I have no case. What do you suggest?
A–Trust your lawyer’s advice, start a job search and get on with your life. Large corporations typically give out only employment dates in reference checking, but you may want to talk to your former supervisor to see if he or she is allowed to speak to potential employers. Work out a feasible explanation so you are prepared in interviews to explain your 10-month employment period.
Q–I spent 10 years as a nursing assistant giving 100 percent of myself to patient care in pre-op and the recovery room at a major hospital. Throughout my employment, I was intimidated and falsely accused of saying and doing things, so much so that I would go home crying. At one point I felt suicidal and took a leave of absence. Near the end of my employment, my boss handed me four pages reprimanding me for anger, loudness, talking about God, calling patients “honey” and “sweetie” and for my style of earrings and said, “Do you think we’re trying to get rid of you?” I said yes and that I was going to file a harassment charge. My boss said, “If you do this, I’ll make your life miserable until you quit.” So soon after, I walked off the job. I was angry, but I regret it now because it’s 10 years down the drain. Why do people in positions above feel they have the right to manipulate and abuse employees?
A–Dealing with the public can put you in difficult and sensitive situations. You probably used the words “honey” and “sweetie” in a warm and caring manner, but employers may want their clients to be treated formally, even in a health-care environment. Also, some subjects–such as religion–are taboo in the workplace. You would have been better off finding another job first before your anger surfaced, of course, but your 10-year work record at the same hospital speaks well of you to potential employers. Use that to your advantage when interviewing.
Q–My co-worker was promised a transfer to another state to operate some of the new company plants. He received a written offer stating the start date, sold his house and put things in storage, his wife quit her job and they took their kids out of school. The company then put his offer on hold and offered to pay up to only $400 a month toward a hotel room for a couple of months. Can they pull this on him?
A–Your friend has found that it’s not wise to make major changes unless the exact terms of expense reimbursement and so forth are spelled out in a contract. With any out-of-state job transfer, employees at all levels need to hire a lawyer to review the company’s offer and relocation agreement before signing it. It sounds like your co-worker proceeded too soon.
Generally, if a company wants to transfer an employee to another state, it will act professionally and hire a relocation company to handle the employee’s move. If that was not the case here, all the more reason to run the offer by a lawyer before signing.
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Write to Lindsey Novak, Jobs, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 60611. E-mail her at AtWorkbyLN@aol.com
