Getting fired can seem like a real shock and a blow to your pride, but you’ll get through it and come out stronger on the other side. Both legally and practically, there is a lot you can do to help yourself; you just need to be organized and act quickly.
Here are some basic steps:
- Take Care of Yourself
- File for Unemployment
- Brainstorm: Write Down Everything You Remember
- Request a Service Letter
- Plan Your Finances
- Start Looking for a New Job
- Seek Legal Advice
The first piece of advice? RELAX and TAKE A DEEP BREATH. Chances are, if you got let go, it probably was a toxic work situation already. Be happy that you’re done with a bad boss, harassing coworkers, and/or an organization that didn’t appreciate your talents. The day you get fired, DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF. Go out to dinner, watch a movie, get together with friends.
Second step: file for unemployment. Lots of myths exist about when you can or can’t get unemployment, and many employers try and tell people they’re ineligible for one reason or another. DON’T BELIEVE IT. In Missouri, as in most states, filing for unemployment is easy and you can do it online – https://www.ui.labor.mo.gov/som/. Make sure you apply for jobs (see below); file your weekly certifications like they tell you to.
Third, brainstorm about what happened on the job before and during your termination. The best way is to start a document with a “Cast of Characters,” a who’s-who of your boss, your coworkers, etc. Then create Timeline of what happened when. Start with when you first began the job, and jot down major events in your time there. Then, focus in great detail on what happened when you started sensing something might be wrong. Be as specific as you can with names, dates, and the details of events. They are fresher in your mind now than they will be months or years from now.
Fourth, request a service letter. If you worked for a corporation, Missouri law generally allows you to send your ex-employer a request for what is known as a “service letter”; your employer must give information like names, dates of employment, and the real reason they fired you. You must send the request, specifically referencing the service letter law, to a manager of the corporation, by certified mail. Another post will describe more how to do this, but it is best to consult a lawyer first. At the Keenan Law Firm, we frequently give people forms for service letters; feel free to get in touch: http://www.keenanfirm.com.
Fifth, plan your finances. Losing a job obviously impacts your income. It’s easier to deal with that change if you plan ahead. Create a list of what expenses are necessary, important, and unimportant. And contact any lenders or creditors; many – especially student loan servicers and medical offices – will work with people who have lost a job.
Sixth, start looking for a job. This is the hardest part, but if you set out now, you will be ahead of the game. Sign up for websites like Indeed, Monster, and Careerbuilder. These days, many employers also post on Craigslist. Have several friends review your resume and give feedback. Focus on your skills; eliminate needless parts of stock resumes like “objective” (everyone knows your objective is to get the job) and your high school or college GPA; and focus on career-specific skills. Employers want to know about concrete achievements and talents. And proofread, proofread, proofread. Employers will be impressed by your attention to detail. And when you express interest in a job, do it personally. Instead of mass-blasting your resume, take the time to include a personal note – even a sentence or two – that tells the employer why you’re interested in them, and that you’ve done your research (tip: look at their website before applying). Employers wade through masses of resumes; they want to talk to the people who have taken the time to learn about them. Don’t worry – you’ll find what you’re looking for – stay optimistic!
Seventh, talk with a qualified employment lawyer. Just like getting the right diagnosis and treatment with your body, finding out all your legal rights and protecting them is best done with a professional. Competent employment lawyers will charge only a small fee, if anything, for an initial consultation. Remember, lawyers are required to keep your information confidential, so you shouldn’t feel afraid to pick up the phone. At the Keenan Law Firm, we focus our entire practice on helping employees like you; you can find out more at www.keenanfirm.com. Feel free to contact us by web or phone; we’d be more than happy to be a sounding board and help you figure out what’s going on and what you can do about it legally.
Missouri Employee Rights 