Employment - sudden termination with little reason?

Started in a job 4 months ago on probation term.

The probation term was for 3 months. This was extended by 5 days because I was authorised to take a week's holiday.

I was only told the probation period would be extended verbally - this was never confirmed in print.

My probation finished on September 18th (originally supposed to be the 11th). On the day, I wasn't told anything. When I asked what was going on, a letter was given to me advising that it had been extended by another week. There was no explanation as to why in the letter other than to say they wanted to continue assessing the role. When I asked why, I was told that I couldn't be given a reason!

The following week I was told I didn't have the job as it was felt I wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. This had never been mentioned before and I am now out of a job. I was given a letter that just said my employment was terminated - no reason is given.

Is this all legal? What are my rights?

Thanks

- Gord

Michelle T

Are you in the UK? If yes, then unfortunately you would need to have a years service before you could take the matter further. If there is evidence that other matters might have been involved for instance, gender or race then you are able to take it further even if you do not have a years service.

I feel sorry for you, is certainly no way to treat someone. I know its difficult but you might just have to put that down to experience. Maybe they could not afford you, which would explain why they were unable to give you a reason.

Start looking for work. Good luck

Weimaraner Mom

Yes it's legal. I've been terminated from jobs I've had for 5 years with no reason whatsoever and was told that they were not going to give me a reason. I was not given any written warnings or even told that there was a problem with my performance, what made it even harder was they had just promoted me and given me a substantial raise and my performance review was outstanding then 6 months later I'm out of a job. I could have sued for wrongful dismissal, had I won the company would have had to give me my job back, I didn't want it since there were so many bad feelings so I filed for unemployment and looked for a job elsewhere.

As long as you are on probation then they have the right to terminate your employment for no reason. It sounds like they gave you a reason, you couldn't handle the pressure. The three month probation is a trial period to see if you are the right fit for the job, if they kept extending the probationary period that should have given you a clue that they weren't happy with your performance.

You have no rights I'm sorry to say.

Steve B

You are an at-will employee. They can release you at any time. File for unemployment.

If you were to get into a union, you should contact the union.

Prisky

Depends what state your in. Some states have at will employment

leysarob

Of course it's legal. Without an employment contract to the contrary an employer may fire you at any time for any reason other than due to a protected characteristic like religion or race.

Stop Ranting

It's probably legal. Most employee - employer relationships are voluntary and either party can terminate at will. However, you can contact your state labor board for details. I would move on if I were you, there is little hope of gaining anything by fighting this. Of course, if you were discriminated against and could prove it, that would be a different situation.

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