D
Debbie Bokum
Guest
i have been in the legal field for nearly twenty years and have never been discharged from a job - until last week. My employment history is exemplary. I have held positions for long periods of time - one position for as long as ten years. i am employed in california.
most recently I was employed by a personal injury firm for a year and a half. during that time I only received positive comments. i even received a bonus in December, 2000. i was employed by this firm on an hourly basis - four day work week. i was only "required" to work 28 hours per week but usually "voluntarily" worked 30+ hours per week. last friday i was called into my boss' office and told that the job required 40 hours per week/five days per week. that i had been a good and loyal employee and was well-liked, it pained him to have to do this, etc., etc. he went onto state that they knew how devoted I was to my family and would have to let me go. i was given my pay for the week and one week's severance pay. an hour later I went back in to my boss and asked why if he liked me so much and thought I was such a loyal employee did he not ask me to increase my hours before letting me go. he responded that he just assumed I wouldn't. I stated that well, I would. he responded well we have someone coming-in on monday and he was "sorry". my employment was at-will - there has never been any type of employee handbook in my office. since I really don't have any "damages" as yet i'm assuming I cannot sue for wrongful termination. correct? i would like to either get my job back so that I can be employed while looking for new employment; or, receive more severance pay. i've done nothing but work hard for these attorneys and feel that they need to be taught a lesson. At the very least, is there an agency I can file a complaint with and get them fined for "unfair labor practices" - even if I don't get a red cent out of them. sorry for the length. I look forward to your reply.
most recently I was employed by a personal injury firm for a year and a half. during that time I only received positive comments. i even received a bonus in December, 2000. i was employed by this firm on an hourly basis - four day work week. i was only "required" to work 28 hours per week but usually "voluntarily" worked 30+ hours per week. last friday i was called into my boss' office and told that the job required 40 hours per week/five days per week. that i had been a good and loyal employee and was well-liked, it pained him to have to do this, etc., etc. he went onto state that they knew how devoted I was to my family and would have to let me go. i was given my pay for the week and one week's severance pay. an hour later I went back in to my boss and asked why if he liked me so much and thought I was such a loyal employee did he not ask me to increase my hours before letting me go. he responded that he just assumed I wouldn't. I stated that well, I would. he responded well we have someone coming-in on monday and he was "sorry". my employment was at-will - there has never been any type of employee handbook in my office. since I really don't have any "damages" as yet i'm assuming I cannot sue for wrongful termination. correct? i would like to either get my job back so that I can be employed while looking for new employment; or, receive more severance pay. i've done nothing but work hard for these attorneys and feel that they need to be taught a lesson. At the very least, is there an agency I can file a complaint with and get them fined for "unfair labor practices" - even if I don't get a red cent out of them. sorry for the length. I look forward to your reply.