Friday, July 6, 2007

Employment Termination

Termination from a job is always an unwelcome scenario. Aside from losing your source of livelihood, you are faced with the grave worry of looking for another job. This is especially difficult with workers who are already of old or advanced age.

The fist thing that you should determine after being terminated is the reason for your termination. You may find out that your termination is invalid. If this is the case, then you have recourse against your erring employer. An employee that has been wrongfully terminated can ask for back pay, benefits and other damages.

If you are, however, terminated due to lawful or just cause, then your only option is to get ready your application and be prepared for job interviews. A lawful or just termination means that you are terminated for incompetence, tardiness and drunkenness or for commission of any crime like physical violence or theft of company property.

In order to determine whether you have a cause against your employer, you should be mindful of what reasons or instances are not justified reasons for firing an employee. The following are not just or valid reasons for firing an employee:

  1. Whistle blowing
  2. Complaints to and against employer for violation of employment and labor rights
  3. Testifying against the employer for another employee
  4. Lawful gathering and other union activities, and
  5. Filing complaints and charges of unfair labor practices

If you have been terminated for the above reasons, you are assured that your termination is unlawful. In this case, you need to seek representation from an expert wrongful termination attorney immediately.