Do you think that I was wrongfully terminated? What should I do?

Question

So...this is the reason I think I got fired from friggin Subway of all places! My roommate also worked for subway but she got fired after a few days because they said that she was lazy and slow or something like that. Well I worked there for 2 weeks and never had any issues until they found out that she was my roommate. The reason they found out was because she came up there for her last check and she told me that I needed to get the ginuwine tickets off of her dresser because she forgot them. Then the manager asked me if she was my roommate and I said yea...then she was like " O you should've never told us that" I mean...wtf is that supposed to mean? Just because she is my roommate doesnt mean she is gonna effect my work....so why the hell did I get fired...when I left work on friday everything was cool. The owner was being cool with me and everything...he even asked me what was my school schedule and to bring it in to the store tomorrow so he could see my availability. It dont make no sense for me to get fired...wtf?? I think that i was wrongfully terminated!

Answer 1

Your old boss boss is a fink...I can think of worse words to describe him , but hey, i don't want to get reported. You can call the Labour board and rat him out, because he is defiantly in the wrong, but I doubt that much can be done about it since you were only there for two weeks. Boycott the joint instead! Be thankful you're not working for such a shallow s-o-b...if he does things like this..what else do you suppose he cheats on???Hmm

Answer 2

At two weeks, you might not have much recourse... they may claim "probationary period" or some such, and under such conditions termination can be without cause.

However, if you can find witnesses to the fact that you were told "Oh, you should never have told us that", then you should be able to file for unemployment, depending upon your state. The two week thing may make the amount paltry (and in some states, may result in a big "nothing"), but if nothing else, the fact that you attempted to file will go on record and will help establish a patern that may help others in the future deal with abusive employment practices like this.

Best bet is to talk with a lawyer and see what can be done. Many Universities have a "Students Legal Department" or something similar which you can consult for free as a student and they should know what your options are... while I wouldn't hold my breath for re-employment at Subway (2 weeks is a short period), you should at least see if you can file something to cause them grief and perhaps help a future student in a similar position by establishing a precedent.

Hope you find better employment with someone that can value what you have to offer.

Answer 3

That's ****** up. As you said, just because she's your roommate, you shouldn't get fired. I think that you should contact a lawyer or someone who knows how to handle this because I think you were wrongfully terminated. Now you said that the owner wanted you to bring in your school schedule tomorrow so he can see your availability. Did he actually fire you or just give you unpaid leave? I don't understand exactly if he put you on unpaid leave or you actually got fired or were wrongfully terminated, because he wants to see your school schedule, yet you keep saying that you got fired and were wrongfully terminated. I'd like a little more clarification please, but if you were fired, it's a stupid reason to fire you and you should get a lawyer or someone to help you sue the guy for wrongful termination or something else.

Answer 4

It sounds like you were wrongfully terminated.
I don't know about your state, but here, it doesn't mean much. Washington is a right to work state. That means you agree that you can quit you job without any cause and they can terminate you without cause. It sucks. They can fire you because they want to. Usually they will make up an excuse but legally they don't have to. The only consolation is that you Can get unemployment if they can't show just cause for your termination.
Good luck. I think your best bet is pick up, brush off and press on. You can ask for a letter detailing the specifics of your termination to add to your application for your next job. A prospective employer will usually give you an opportunity to tell your version of why you lost your job. It would be good to have theirs too. You don't need to use it for future job hunting, but it lets you know what they might say if they are contacted.

Answer 5

Probably, but I wouldn't sweat it. Go out and get another job, put that one behind you. It's not worth fretting over, you said it, its a job at Subway. Shouldn't be very hard to come up with another job, that pays as much or more, consentrate on getting another job don't focus on this deal. And learn from it, you probably should have never told them about being the room mate of a terminated employee.

Answer 6

it was subway for crying out loud, and more than likely a franchise. 2 weeks? big deal, you werent even trained yet, they can ditch you any time they want, especially at will.
wrongfully terminated is when you work somewhere for 5 years, having exemplary reviews, been promoted, get a disease that renders you pretty much disabled, they say there is nothing there that you can do in your capacity, and then let you go. that is wrongful termination.

subway....LOL i cant believe you are so worked up over losing your job at subway, it's not like it offered any great carreer advancement.

Answer 7

Get on the phone and call your Labour Standards office. Write everything down just as it happened, who was standing around you when this conversation took place, and the issue with your roommate. When you call them, do NOT get all excited and heated, just state your case, list your witnesses, etc., then leave it in their hands. It is most definitely wrongful dismissal, and their hands need to be slapped. If anything, it will make them a bit more cautious in the future. (I own a convenience store and live and BREATHE labour standards, believe me. LOL!)

Answer 8

You did not say what state you live in. Some states are called "at will states" this means that you can be canned for any reason at anytime for no reason at all.

If you live in one of these states you are screwed, the best you can do is go find another job and don't use them as a reference so they will not have the chance to trash you on the phone to keep you from getting another job.

Answer 9

If that is all there is to the story, you were definitely wrongfully terminated.
Does your boss have a boss? If so, file a formal complaint.
If he owns the Subway, call the Labor Board. There are laws to protect you from this behavior.

Answer 10

It sounds like that you should not have been fired. Unfortunately, in the United States, unless you have a contract (like a union or a manager's salaried contract) then the boss can fire you without cause. Unless you were discriminated against because of your age, race, sexual orientation, or religion, or you are covered under the American with Disabilities Act, then you are SOL.
I'm sorry :-(