Terminated Guilty by Association

[Dandr0id9]

Hi my name is Dan and before going on I just want to say how appreciated any and all advice is. I typed nearly 5 paragraphs explaining what happened that were somehow deleted so forgive me if I'm short.

I was a a full time package handler for a FedEx ground hub located in lenexa KS. I reside in Missouri. I rode to work with a friend from high school because I do not have a vehicle. on the way to work we also picked up another passenger (we'll call him bob). we both paid the driver gas money to be taken back and forth to work.

I was terminated because one night after work when we were all hanging out in the parking lot a couple of Fedex security officers decided to come and search our car under the suspicion that I was selling marjuana and pills to other package handlers in the parking lot. They found 3 painkillers called hydrocodones, a pipe, and a scale. All of which were found in bob's work bag. The officers took what they found and told us to report our sort managers the next night. Bob had claimed all of what was found and clearly stated that neither me or the driver had anything to do with it. They didn't find anything illegal that belonged to me or the driver.

The next night we all showed up like normal and they pulled us into the office one at a time to tell us we'd all 3 been terminated. I reminded them that I just ride with them and I didn't know anything about what was found in bob's bag as it was just my ride to work. I even offered to drug test. They escorted me out of the building.

I don't feel this was fair, is there anything I can do? Once again all advice is appreciated

 

[Proserpina]

Hi my name is Dan and before going on I just want to say how appreciated any and all advice is. I typed nearly 5 paragraphs explaining what happened that were somehow deleted so forgive me if I'm short.

I was a a full time package handler for a FedEx ground hub located in lenexa KS. I reside in Missouri. I rode to work with a friend from high school because I do not have a vehicle. on the way to work we also picked up another passenger (we'll call him bob). we both paid the driver gas money to be taken back and forth to work.

I was terminated because one night after work when we were all hanging out in the parking lot a couple of Fedex security officers decided to come and search our car under the suspicion that I was selling marjuana and pills to other package handlers in the parking lot. They found 3 painkillers called hydrocodones, a pipe, and a scale. All of which were found in bob's work bag. The officers took what they found and told us to report our sort managers the next night. Bob had claimed all of what was found and clearly stated that neither me or the driver had anything to do with it. They didn't find anything illegal that belonged to me or the driver.

The next night we all showed up like normal and they pulled us into the office one at a time to tell us we'd all 3 been terminated. I reminded them that I just ride with them and I didn't know anything about what was found in bob's bag as it was just my ride to work. I even offered to drug test. They escorted me out of the building.

I don't feel this was fair, is there anything I can do? Once again all advice is appreciated

It might not be fair, but it's not illegal.

 

[jiggy78]

File for unemployment while you look for a new job.

 

[commentator]

It's a good story, and if they don't have any more proof than this, no real reason why they decided to search Bob's car, no real actual cause other than their foolish and incorrect suspicions to think you were selling drugs, then you won't have any trouble getting approved for unemployment insurance benefits.

But what they did is not illegal, and if they want to, in an "at will" state, they can fire you for keeping company or riding with a bad employee, or just about anything else they want to terminate you for. Unless it is a clear violation of an EEOC protected status, and you can show that and can complain to the EEOC and get them to be impressed by the case you make for this claim, there's nothing else you can do except to file for unemployment insurance benefits and begin looking for other jobs.

When you file the claim for benefits, if you have monetary eligibility, they will take your statement about the reason why you were terminated. Then they will ask the company for the reason you were terminated. If they wish to contest the claim, they (or the contracting agency which handles their unemployment issues) will be asked to submit their reason for terminating you. When you file is the time when you tell your sad story and try to show that you had not done anything wrong at all. The company also submits any proof they had of your misconduct. If they can't show any, then you'll likely be approved for unemployment. They'll likely appeal the decision and you'll have a hearing at which the whole case will be rehashed. Then another decision would be made.

In the meantime, you'll be looking for another job and moving on.