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DH unexpectedly terminated from job?couple questions
MY DH was terminated from his job this week?yes, fired. He did nothing illegal, no misconduct, no violation of company policy, no insubordination, no poor performance (in fact he was on track to receive a raise for performance). It's a long story and I won't make you cross eyed with details, but basically it was an honest error on someone else's part that he was a part of because of his position. He was actually the one to recognize the error a couple of days later and alerted the person he received the info from, but as the situation moved up the chain of command 'the powers that be' must have decided that they needed to make examples of him and the other person. He was let go because he "didn't escalate the error properly."
Although he may have a wrongful termination case, that isn't on his mind right now. He is focused on needing and getting a new job. But, what does he tell potential employers about why he left his previous position? He knows he shouldn't lie, but he (and I) are so worried that the stigma of being fired is going to disqualify him in the eyes of a new employer right away.
Any advice?
TIA
Re: DH unexpectedly terminated from job?couple questions
IMO he needs to be honest, since they're likely to find out anyway, and he's toast if he skirts the issue or lies about it. But he can also be somewhat diplomatic.
My first thought is something along the lines of there was an error in X process that he discovered after it had gone up the chain of command. The lack of communication within the team had led to the dismissal of certain team members, including himself. And that he learned A, B, and C from this experience.
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I agree he needs to be honest.
I went through a similar situation last spring. I can totally sympathize with how your DH is feeling. Being honest is the best thing. I explained the situation to several possible employers including a staffing agency who did not see this as being an issue.
I agree, be honest. They will find out and if he lies that would be the reason he wouldn't be hired.
Also, this is not a wrongful termination. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrongful_dismissal
He needs to be honest. Period. Once they find out he lied he won't be someone they want to hire and you and he do not want word getting out that he lied to any other prospective employers.
For my last few interviews, no one asked why I wanted to leave my current job, etc.
Most people will suffer a job loss at some point. Good hiring managers understand this too. If they don't, he doesn't want to work there anyway. Regardless of how at fault he is, we are only human.
PP is right. This isn't wrongful termination. Unless he had a contract (not likely) that specified guaranteed employment dates (not likely) or reasons for dismissal (not likely) he really has no case because he is probably considered at will. Jerky, yes. Illegal, no. They could fire him for any stupid reason and it'd be legal.
Yes, after reading more, I realize that this isn't wrongful termination?just sucks and I feel awful for him. He actually wasn't even thinking wrongful termination. It was his spastic wife saying that at first (that would be me).
I just feel awful for him. He feels awful. Just a crappy situation.
But I thank you all for your responses and comments!
I just wanted to chime in and say that I was fired from a job in early 2006 and it's not affected me professionally in any way. It was the biggest shock of my life and I was completely blindsided by it (my boss was a lying, dishonest, dirty old man who shitcanned me because I didn't get along with his harem, but basically it came down to a 'fit issue'). I was absolutely terrified that I would be considered untouchable after that, but it's really been no big deal.
It's still on my resume (because the job was very related to my career path) and to my knowledge no one has ever attempted to contact them, nor asked me why I left. Ditto pp's on their advice - if I had been asked, I would have been diplomatically honest and been sure to explain what I'd learned from the situation.
Hugs to you and your husband. I felt lower than scum for quite a while after that, like a total failure, but I came to realize in time that I am a great employee and it was their loss, not mine.