Laid Off

[ravengirl66]

I work in Pa and I was informed today that I was being laid off. My boss handed me a letter and wants me to sign it. This is the letter, word for word.

"I have been made aware that my working hours in the Infant room at Little People will be eliminated as of Monday December 5, 2011. A date to reopen the Infant Room is unknown at this time.

I have been made aware that other working hours are available at Little People. I understand that these hours are not the same as my current shift and I am aware that I will be working in different classrooms.

I can attest to the above statements and the situation was reviewed with me by my supervisor."


This is the letter they gave to me and want me to sign because my supervisor told me if I refuse hours available, such as when someone is out sick, or on vacation they will deny my unemployment. What if they call me and I dont answer the phone? This all sounds fishy to me. Any advice

 

[Zigner]

Are all of the statements true?

 

[cbg]

Your employers do not have the ability to deny your unemployment. Only the state can do that. However, they are free to contest your unemployment, and if you actually do refuse hours available (not being home to answer the phone would NOT be considered refusing hours available) they would have a good chance of prevailing.

 

[ravengirl66]

Yes, the statements are true in the letter. I was informed of all of the above. It just really stinks because I have worked as the infant room teacher for 6 years and there are people that just started and they are not losing their job.

 

[ravengirl66]

Your employers do not have the ability to deny your unemployment. Only the state can do that. However, they are free to contest your unemployment, and if you actually do refuse hours available (not being home to answer the phone would NOT be considered refusing hours available) they would have a good chance of prevailing.

Thank you for your answer.

 

[cbg]

Yes, the statements are true in the letter. I was informed of all of the above. It just really stinks because I have worked as the infant room teacher for 6 years and there are people that just started and they are not losing their job.

Yes, well, maybe you should have gotten your GED when you had the opportunity; then maybe people with less seniority but better qualifications might not have been retained over you.

(Yes, I've read your posting history)

 

[commentator]

Okay, I do not understand. Are they saying that your job is ending, or that they have another job for you in another place, just that you'll be transferring since they are shutting down the Little People room? In other words, are they still going to have a job for you effective such and such date when the Little People room shuts its doors?

"I understand that these hours are not the same as my present shift, and I am aware that I will be working in different classrooms." Okay, what does this mean? in other words, you will come in to work after December 5, and they will have you the same full time number of hours available for you? Maybe not the same shift, but still, you will have the same or an equivalent job available for you?

If not, if you are going to be a "floater" or will be used only when they have an opening or someone else doesn't come in, or if this is a part-time or on- call job when your old job in the Little People room was full time, sign up on your unemployment benefits.

Be sure you show that letter to the unemloyment system. Say clearly that you are available for equivalent work. The employer is trying to play this so that you are out of a job and do not sign up for unemployment benefits.

But as it has been pointed out, they do not get to say what is a reasonable offer of equivalent work. You will of course, tell the unemployment system what has been offered to you,and the reason you are no longer working (your job has been eliminated.) But if they are not offering you an equivalent job, at least in hours and pay, there is nothing else they can do to "deny" your unemployment benefits, as they are not the ones who get to say whether or not you get to draw them.

 

[ravengirl66]

Yes, well, maybe you should have gotten your GED when you had the opportunity; then maybe people with less seniority but better qualifications might not have been retained over you.

(Yes, I've read your posting history)

Well first off, that previous post was from another employee that works here and a totally different situation. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[eerelations]

And there were some others from your husband. This is why there's a rule against more than one person using a single ID.

 

[cbg]

As long as it's under your ID, it's your situation as far as I'm concerned.

 

[ravengirl66]

As long as it's under your ID, it's your situation as far as I'm concerned.

OFGS !! Just answer the question without being so hell bent on whose ID it is. The question is different, the situation is different, I mean really. Dont get your panties in a bunch, it really is not that difficult.

 

[ravengirl66]

And there were some others from your husband. This is why there's a rule against more than one person using a single ID.

Sorry to have broken the rules, just answer the question without being so anal about whose ID it is.

 

[eerelations]

Why would we answer the questions of someone who not only wilfully breaks the forum rules but also speaks to us so rudely? Would you answer my questions if I called you these names?

(If this is the way you speak to your employer, no wonder they want to let you go.)

Oh and BTW, your questions have already been answered. Maybe if you hadn't been so busy expressing your 'tude, you might have noticed.

 

[cbg]

And you'll notice that I answered not only this question, but also the one you are now disclaiming.

And now you know WHY it's only one customer to an ID. You don't want to be held responsible for other posts to that ID, don't loan it out/use someone else's.

 

[Captian Picard]

I work in Pa and I was informed today that I was being laid off. My boss handed me a letter and wants me to sign it. This is the letter, word for word.

"I have been made aware that my working hours in the Infant room at Little People will be eliminated as of Monday December 5, 2011. A date to reopen the Infant Room is unknown at this time.

I have been made aware that other working hours are available at Little People. I understand that these hours are not the same as my current shift and I am aware that I will be working in different classrooms.

I can attest to the above statements and the situation was reviewed with me by my supervisor."


This is the letter they gave to me and want me to sign because my supervisor told me if I refuse hours available, such as when someone is out sick, or on vacation they will deny my unemployment. What if they call me and I dont answer the phone? This all sounds fishy to me. Any advice

You are being fired. Unless you have a wrongful or retaliation claim being possible then I see no harm in signing this..I would get a copy and have the Supv. sign it to to possibly show prospective employers that you were not fired for anything you did, just a business decision.

And once they fire you, you're fired. They would have to re-hire you. Ask for more pay then if you wish. You can collect UI. Really, they are not going to call you -- I would not sit by the phone waiting for their call. But you never know.

So sign it and have them sign it & keep a copy. Keep a copy. Did I say to keep a copy? Then when you are fired, file for UI. You'll get it 100% w/this letter.