getting an employment attorney when you've been laid off

by Eva Morar 4 min read

If you feel you’ve been unfairly let go, the situation may call for professional input beyond what you can do yourself. For certain employment situations, simply talking with an employment attorney Jacksonville FL may help you clarify what your options are. After all, sometimes it takes a village, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!

Full Answer

Do I have a case if my employer laid me off?

Seek Legal Assistance Today. If you believe your employer violated the WARN Act, seek legal assistance from the Law Office of Christopher Q. Davis, located in New York City. Contact us today at (646) 430-7930 to schedule a free case evaluation and receive experienced legal counsel. Comments are closed.

Do I need an employment lawyer to get a better severance?

Feb 27, 2012 · A one-hour consultation with an experienced practitioner can run between $500 and $900 and up. So ask yourself whether your bonuses have been an agreed-upon part of your compensation in the past ...

What to do if you are laid off for no reason?

Is it worth it to hire a lawyer if you’ve been terminated?

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What are my rights if I have been laid off?

If you are laid off, you are entitled to your normal pay unless your contract clearly allows your employer to pay you something less, or unless you or your union rep negotiates a temporary change to your pay, to respond to a short-term situation.

Can I sue the company that laid me off?

If you are fired for any reason other than the ones specified in your contract, you can sue -- even if your employer's reason for letting you go was perfectly reasonable.

What do you plan to do if suddenly you got laid off?

Here are the best ways to deal with a sudden layoff.Keep your feelings in check. ... Know that it's not your fault. ... Say goodbye with class and grace. ... Reach out to your support group. ... Get things in control. ... Realize that change may be a good thing.

Does a company have to hire you back after layoff?

Again, there are no laws that require an employer to recall laid off employees unless it has a policy or collective bargaining agreement stating otherwise. In general terms, a layoff indicates an employer doesn't have enough work to keep everyone on staff, but may expect to have more work at some point in the future.

How do companies choose who gets laid off?

In a performance-based layoff, HR and department leadership work together to decide which employees are leaving. The department leader produces names of the lowest-performing employees and HR ensures that the performance assessments are consistent.

How do I fight getting laid off?

Here are seven tips on how to handle yourself and what to say when you're at a loss for words.Stay Present and Manage Your Emotions. ... Keep Your Dignity. ... Get Your Stories Straight. ... Inquire About Getting Assistance Finding a New Role. ... Ask if You're Allowed to Apply for Other Positions Internally. ... Take Care of You.More items...

How can I make money while laid off?

10 Ways to Make Money if You've Been Laid OffGo for a temp job or contract work. ... Drive for a ride-sharing service. ... Freelance. ... Look after pets. ... Teach English online. ... Rent out a spare room. ... Declutter your life. ... Take a short break to regroup.Jun 1, 2018

What to do if you are let go from your job?

7 Things to Do Immediately if You Get FiredAsk The Right Questions.Negotiate The Terms Of Your Departure.Check if You Qualify for Unemployment Benefits.Reach Out to Your Network.Start Brushing Up Your Resume.Set Job Alerts.Have Faith In Yourself.Jun 10, 2021

Why do some people keep getting laid off?

Most of the time, people are fired due to poor job performance. Maybe you've been irresponsible and haven't handled your tasks well, or you don't have the skills you need to do a good job in your current position. You can also get fired due to character issues—you're unreliable, dishonest or a bad team player.Sep 9, 2021

How do you ask for your job back after being laid off?

How to ask for an old job backEnsure you're still in good standing with the company.Research other open positions at the company.Write a list of possible questions they may ask.Email or call to request an in-person meeting to discuss details further.Explain why they should rehire you and what you can contribute.More items...•Feb 26, 2021

How do you rehire after layoff?

To request that an employee return to work after a layoff, an employer must serve a recall notice to the employee. To be valid, the notice must: be in writing. say that the employee must return to work within 7 days from the date the notice was served to the employee.

Can you lay someone off and then hired someone else?

You can legally lay off and hire employees simultaneously if you are experiencing a reduction in business and no longer need an operations manager, for example, but do need to bring on more sales professionals in an effort to bring in new business.

How long do you have to give notice of layoff?

Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), this requires an employer to provide 60 days notice prior to a layoff, downsize, or location closure. There are exceptions to this law though.

What is the difference between a layoff and a termination?

A layoff is generally ending employment for a portion of the company’s workforce due to financial problems, relocation, or a merger with another company and eliminating redundancy. A termination is a permanent end to employment with the employer, usually due to policy violation, poor performance, or another infraction.

What to ask when you are laid off?

The following is a list of questions you should ask your employer, in order to protect your rights and entitlements under the law, when you are laid off or fired. 1. Ask why you have been laid off or fired. A lay off implies a temporary suspension of your work while being fired implies a permanent situation.

What happens if you are laid off?

Being laid off or fired triggers certain employment law rights and obligations on the employee and employer. The rights and obligations on the parties will be specific to whether you have been laid off or fired and for what reason.

Who is Alexandra Monkhouse?

Alexandra Monkhouse is a Toronto Employment Lawyer at Monkhouse Law who specializes in employment law, human rights law and disability insurance law. She has appeared numerous times at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and also before the Supreme Court of Canada.

What does it mean to be laid off while being fired?

A lay off implies a temporary suspension of your work while being fired implies a permanent situation. Your employer should be able to tell you whether the situation is permanent or temporary.

What happens if you are fired for cause?

Being fired ‘for cause’ is quite serious as you will get no notice or financial compensation of your termination and it can impact your ability to be hired by another employer.

Can you ask your employer to reconsider your termination?

While it is highly unlikely that your employer will reconsider their decision, you will be in no worse a position for simply asking. Particularly if you are being terminated without cause from a large organization, ask if your termination can be delayed to offer you time to apply internally to other positions.

What is a release in employment?

Your employer is likely to provide you with a “release” document alongside your termination package . A release is a legal document that impacts your legal rights. We recommend that you have this release reviewed by an employment lawyer, as signing the release will prevent you from making a claim for your proper legal entitlements down the road.

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Understanding Layoffs vs. Termination

  • Many people will use the terms “layoff,” “let go,” and “fired,” interchangeably, but they are very different, especially from a legal perspective. A layoff is generally ending employment for a portion of the company’s workforce due to financial problems, relocation, or a merger with another company and eliminating redundancy. A termination is a permanent end to employmen…
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Federal and State Layoff Protections

  • Federal law does have protections in place preventing an employer from laying people off without notice. Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), this requires an employer to provide 60 days notice prior to a layoff, downsize, or location closure. There are exceptions to this law though. First, it only applies to larger employers with a minimum of 100 e…
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Know Your Employment Contract

  • In addition to your state and federal rights, your employment contract or written company policy may have protections in place. For example, if your contract states that you get a week’s pay for each year of service if you are laid off, you are legally entitled to that severance. Another example is that there may be a clause in the employee policy and procedure guide that you may be paid o…
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Schedule A Consultation with Our Employment Lawyers in Raleigh

  • If you’ve been laid off without protections, have not received an agreed-upon severance, or even if you feel you were wrongfully terminated, we can help. Schedule a consultation today at [phone] or fill out the form below to learn more. Information presented on this website should not be construed as formal legal advice or the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Additionally, …
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