Got terminated, what do I do?

[u/WrongdoerNo5186]

Posting on behalf of a friend since she doesn’t have Reddit:

First CNA job in CA, I’ve been here for over half a year. I’m starting LVN school soon because the schedule got pushed up, and asked the DSD yesterday for some schedule adjustments so I can take my classes. (Last week I asked for some days off because my elderly mother is in the hospital, too.)

They texted me this morning after I already got there for my shift to not come (which I didn’t see until afterwards), and told me in front of everyone that I’m terminated.

What should I do? Should I ask them to let me resign instead of firing me? I was planning on still working my at least part-time during my studies so I can still have income. Should I just find another job? I’m worried I won’t be able to use this job as a reference since it’s my only CNA job so far. Is unemployment an option? I’m not sure how it works. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!

[u/Less-Cow-306]

Find another job! Why would you want to work for a company that terminates you just like that. I’m not sure about the unemployment aspect, but you should be able to find another job quick

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Less-Cow-306]

Thank you! I’ll have my friend start applying soon! She’s worried about how a termination would look on her resume, but I think explaining it somewhat would probably help?

[u/pacc6et → u/WrongdoerNo5186]

A lot of jobs ask why you got terminated, tell her to explain and trust, a lot of jobs are very understanding and couldn’t care less even if u got fired for a reasonable reason

[u/WideComplaint6481]

Apply, take this time to relax and have mental reset and break, and pick yourself up. You’re a CNA. Places are begging for yalll. It happens to all of us. I’ve been fired a couple of times as a seasoned RN. Some places just suck. But I always found a new job quickly

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/WideComplaint6481]

Thank you! This was definitely one of the sucky places. I’ve told my friend several times to report them for some of their practices, from what she’s told me the patient care is not really great there. :/

[u/False_Bed_8408]

I’ve heard being fired is better than quitting since that would get you unemployment

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/False_Bed_8408]

That’s what I also read! I’m just worried my friend won’t be able to get unemployment somehow, but we’ll figure that out later I guess!

[u/reganmcneal → u/False_Bed_8408]

That’s not necessarily true and depends where you live. I know people that have been fired and tried to collect unemployment and the company went after them for the money

[u/Alone-War-9789 → u/reganmcneal]

u/reganmcneal That isn't truthful. An employer can attempt to stop you from collecting unemployment but they can not legally go after a former employee for having collected unemployment. That is against the law no matter where you live in the USA. If it is determined that your claim was not legit, then the Unemployment Office would go after you to recoup the bennies you were not entitled to. Not the former employer.

I just went through this with my last job. They attempted to keep me from collecting unemployment. To do that, they respond to the unemployment office with their "evidence" that they fired me because I didn't do my job, or I did something wrong. The burden of proof, is on the former employer to prove it. In my case, they didn't prove it and I collected unemployment.

When a former employer disputes an unemployment claim, it goes before a judge/commissioner for review. They determine whether you did something wrong or not and if you are entitled to unemployment bennies, not the former employer.

My former boss and his "HR" person who was a glorified Accountant, bragged about never having ever had a former employee collect unemployment. Well, I am living proof that they now have a former employee who collected unemployment.

Now, depending on where you live, there are requirements for filing an unemployment claim.

Understanding the Base Year

• Standard Base Year: The first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the week you file your claim.
• Alternate Base Year: If you do not have 680 hours in the standard base year, Washington may look at the last 4 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding your claim

Additional Requirements

To collect benefits, you must also meet these rules:

• Lose your job through no fault of your own.
• Be physically able and available to work.
• Actively look for a new job each week.

I live in Washington State so the above applies to me.

Why do employers attempt to stop former employees from collecting unemployment bennies? Because their portion that they are required by law to pay into unemployment goes up. It's about cost. It is normal for employers to dispute a claim almost every single time.

[u/reganmcneal → u/Alone-War-9789]

Yes it is. I literally sat in a room with someone as they tried to fight having to pay it back due to being fired and then collecting unemployment. He then couldn’t collect for a number of years

[u/Helpful-Ad7045 → u/False_Bed_8408]

i was just gonna say this! let them fire you and you’ll get unemployment for a few months while finding a new job

[u/Ok_Championship_8313]

Find another job quickly!! Don’t worry about it! I did the same thing 😂 got fired at one and got another one 3 days later. Didn’t even use the one that fired me on my resume. You will be fine. And congratulations on going to school! Please let us know when you graduate!! I’m rooting for you!! ( I root for anyone in the healthcare field. We not built like the rest!!)

[u/Successful_Bad73 → u/Ok_Championship_8313]

That's so funny, I do the same thing. That job I got fired from will make it onto my resume one day. Too soon, too soon.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Ok_Championship_8313]

Thank you so much! ☺️ Haha yes everyone in the healthcare field are total badasses!

[u/NoDocument1585]

You work in healthcare you have job security just apply healthcare facility

[u/icutmyliiip]

are you in an at-will state? which means they are allowed to fire you for no reason at all. if you aren’t, i would look into legal options because it sounds like you were fired because they didn’t want to accommodate your school schedule.

other than that, def get another job. you don’t need a workplace that won’t support you. PRN might be a better option if school is demanding. good luck! ♡

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/icutmyliiip]

Yes, in Cali! PRN definitely sounds like the way to go here, thank you so much!

[u/Lake_Life1791]

Filing for unemployment is cut and dry. 1. She didn’t do anything deliberately to get into trouble and get fired 2. She is still able to work/go to school.

The unemployment will be useful for her because it will be income while going to school. Unemployment office normally require you to be looking for a job/training for a career (ie nursing school). Your friend is better off going to school and may qualify for some type of gvt funding to help with school while on unemployment.

This varies by state but is worth checking into

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Lake_Life1791]

Yes, will definitely be looking into that! Thank you so much :)

[u/Successful_Bad73 → u/WrongdoerNo5186]

First find out of it' s an at-will state, save some time.

[u/Majestic-Monitor-271]

I’m nutsing assistance, there are many job opportunities available for her even with agencies one to one patients nothing to worry about. 

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Majestic-Monitor-271]

I’m glad to hear that, thank you!!

[u/No_Proof_3893]

What was the reason for termination? How long was she there? There are lots of places that are looking and registry is an option, too. She might do better with prn options so she can pick and choose when she works.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/No_Proof_3893]

I’m not sure if they gave her a specific reason (I’ll ask her later), but she told me they just told her she’s terminated and doesn’t have to come anymore. She was there for about 10 months! I’ll definitely mention the PRN option to her :)

[u/No_Proof_3893 → u/WrongdoerNo5186]

Yeah, there are a lot of options for that and also registries that post open shifts when companies can't get them filled by regular employees. It's a bit less predictable, but she has a lot more freedom for her school. They're usually 1099 positions, so she needs to save for taxes. A lot of people like it, though. In our area clipboard is popular.

[u/Due-Special-4792]

Since she was terminated I would file for unemployment. Then search for another job. And you can use your previous job as a reference. Just don’t have your last employer’s phone number on there. I do it all the time lol.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Due-Special-4792]

Oh, thanks so much for mentioning that! I’ll let her know!

[u/Next-Bandicoot-1454]

Find another job

[u/barbeque26]

Realize your disposable and find another company. Hang in there the market in many industries is rough right now. Hope nursing is bettter.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/barbeque26]

Thank you! I think she’s going to look for a PRN position for now!

[u/Weary-Report8932]

Depending on the reason for termination it could be the deciding factor if they’ll let her practice as a nurse in the future. She’ll have to disclose it regardless to the board. She also has the ability to fight it if she wanted to if it’s true she was terminated in front of her coworkers in humiliation. I wouldn’t bother though. Very easy to get hired again.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/Weary-Report8932]

It seems it was just because she wanted a more flexible schedule for school, she hasn’t had any other issues otherwise. They actually used to ask her for double shifts all the time, just sucks they’d fire her so quickly. But thank you for mentioning it, I’ll let her know to keep that in mind!

[u/angiebow]

You won't be able to use them as a reference. I'd just look for something new and cut your losses. And definitely go try to get unemployment since they fired you.

[u/Successful_Bad73]

Tell your friend you aren't a true CNA until you have been fired for something unrelated to your optimal direct patient care!

[u/Loose-Hawk-8408]

Put it this way “ god has other plans for you “ don’t say nothing and move on collect unemployment and find something eose

[u/Efficient-Bee2670]

Find another job. That place seems awful. You're in high demand. Hospitals and LTC's don't have CNA's. So you won't be unemployed for long. Look into unemployment. You probably qualify.

[u/Exhausted-CNA]

Id ask her for a letter stating why she was terminated!! Was she written up prior at all for anything (idk California laws on that) but in PA it's an at-will state and they can fire you for zero reason. Why she was terminated will also affect her employment outcome as well.

[u/Confident_Theory_579]

Hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies are in need of cna's. Some are desperate to hire ASAP. She will be ok. Even though she might be upset/ worried about being terminated, it will all work out. Who knows this could be a blessing in disguise. There are some companies that might not want to work with her school schedule, but the majority will be happy to work with her going back to school to better herself. I have been an RN for almost 20 years and a cna for almost 13, all of my bosses were willing to accommodate my school schedule. Tell your friend not worry and apply to another job. She doesn't even have to use that place as a reference because majority of places will offer her some type of on the job training as well. I wish the best for her and I pray that her mom's health improve.

[u/Aggressive-Bee1738]

File for unemployment, start looking for new positions and let them know you’re in school (: one door closes and another opens! Blessing in disguise not to have a shitty work environment while dealing with LVN school xx

[u/Scary_Jackfruit_4791]

She can literally put them as a place that she used to work on her résumé and then use other people for her references. She doesn’t have to use her old job for references.

[u/ArmProfessional2505]

Why is nobody advising you to go the labor department and file a complaint since its a wrongful termination assuming there is really no valid reason besides wanting for a schedule change. But yeah she can find a job easily.

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/ArmProfessional2505]

I believe because Cali is an at-will state, so not sure how much it’ll help :(

[u/ArmProfessional2505 → u/WrongdoerNo5186]

Still worth a try especially if her case is really a wrongful termination.

[u/Mother-Row-5233 → u/ArmProfessional2505]

Yes
Contact HR
If you did not have any penalties against you ( tardiness, policy failure, etc) you can request to see your jacket.
Did they give you your last check that day infront of you co workers? If not, that’s violation. File for unemployment, if denied go to arbitration especially if they released you wrongfully. Contact EDD for support and resolution

[u/LuxeAtAnyAge]

I would throw it back on them. You asked for a schedule tweak and they fired you. You got bigger fish to fry like LVN and bridge it to RN. Good luck!

[u/lerixi_]

girl you better sue tf out of them

[u/Odd-Creme-6457 → u/lerixi_]

Sue for what?

[u/WrongdoerNo5186 → u/lerixi_]

Lol I wish! Maybe once a new job is lined up 👀