Should I have gotten fired for asking a question?

Question

I wrote a letter stating I knew I was getting paid less than a new employee and wanted to know why and if I wasn't worth it to them I would consider other options. Then I got fired! Is that right?

Answer 1

I don't think so. Talk to a laywer. Most do a free consultation. Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes. You never question management and policy, especially in such a confrontational manner. It's not so much the letter issue that got you fired, but an astronomically high level of bad judgment. Could explain why you were paid less as well. Some people come in with better experience and more skills, and may be better negotiators. There is no law anywhere that requires an employer to start people at the same wage. These people who say you can sue don't know what they're talking about. What grounds? Your feelings got hurt? Not even close! Bad judgment, immaturity, lack of diplomacy, insubordination, violation of policy, there are so many reasons they can fire you, not to mention they don't even need a reason as long it's not directly because you're a member of a legally protected class.

Grow up and learn from your mistakes. Better luck next time.

Answer 3

Probably so. Obviously you weren't worth it to them to pay you what you were making let alone more. I am not criticizing you but that's one big problem that people take on is when they ask for raises or promotions and are turned down. "What's wrong with me?" can usually backfire. People negotiate their own salaries when starting a job and it has nothing to do with gender, age, or anything else. Every employee has the right to accept an offer, counteroffer or turn down an offer. These days it's the employers that call the shots when it comes to money. Your letter was probably viewed as a potential problem or your work just wasn't up to the standards of the new hire. Again, this is not a criticism to you. Please don't take it at such. It's often said not to ask a question that you really don't want an answer to. In this case, it's the question in your letter not the one posted here that I am speaking of.

Answer 4

Depends on how you acquired the knowledge. If you accessed company's or other employee's records that you were not suppose to be privy to they can fire you for that.

If the company has a policy that states that you not allowed to discuss salaries with other employees, and you implied that how you got the information, then they can fire you for that.

If you tell the company that you considering leaving the company (considering other options), the company can fire you for that.

I was fired, after I stated I was thinking of quiting and I had a friend who as soon as he announced he was quiting was told that he would receive two weeks severance pay and was escorted to his cubicle to pick up his personel stuff and then escorted out of the building. (Both of these events where more than twenty years ago, so I not sure if these thing still happen or not).

Answer 5

Sadly, unless you have a contract through a union, your employment anywhere is "at will" -- which means the boss can fire you whether he has a legitimate reason or not.

Some questions that came to me reading your scenario were: what was the tone of your letter? If you were rude or childish, you could have alientated your boss and made him less apt to give you any consideration.

How did you get the information on the newhire's pay scale? Do you have a legitimate reason for going into other staff member's files? Or did the other employee talk to you about her wages? If you violated company rules about accessing confidential files, or discussed your pay when there are prohibitions against doing that, the boss oculd have fired you for violating company policy.

Answer 6

It most assuredly is not right. I think you should do something about it but I am not sure what. What about an attorney or the employment bureau of the state government or something. Explore all avenues. Seems like a lawsuit should be in order for sh*t like that. Sounds like you were working for a real idiot. If there is nothing in some sort of work manual or agreement or some other paper at work, then you can tell an attorney about it and maybe there is a pain and suffering thing. Rather than take your job back, I would rather have the money plus some other compensation. Who would want to work for an idiot like that???

Answer 7

I don't know where you live but, here in Canada (I found out the HARD way), an employer is not required to provide any reason for the termination of an employee. If you rock the boat, and they don't like it, they are fully within their rights to terminate you on the spot (as long as they pay you the required severance pay), no explanation required. But they will often say "Services no longer required". Unless you are a member of a Union which will fight for you, you are f**ked. It's an easy out for an employer which would absolve them of any responsibility with regards to equal or human rights and labour standards issues.

As my attorney informed me. I could fight the dismissal, at a cost of ten's of thousands of dollars, only to get the old job back with the exception that the employer would likely make life unbearable to force me to quit or just outright fire me (again) in a week or so.

Answer 8

You probably didn't get fired for asking a question. It's the way you asked. Number one, writing a letter is impersonal, and one wonders why you didn't just have a conversation with your supervisor in private. Number two, your approach was accusatory, rather than constructive.

Because we work in what the law terms "at will" circumstances, you can be let go at any time for any reason, unless that reason is a violation of federal or state law.

What you are describing is not discrimination at all.

Answer 9

It isn't right at all and I would sue for wrongful termination. I would talk to the employment office in your state and get the phone # for the national labor board. It sounds like you may have a case against them if this was their reason. I would want it in writing. Your are also eligible for unemployment. You didn't specify how you found out the pay of others. But still, if someone told you how much they made with out you asking them, then you didn't violate any rule. Asking is not grounds for a legitimate termination. By the way, even in right to work states as here in Texas, you can fire anybody anytime you wish, But it better be for a legitimate reason. There is a wrongful termination clause. I have sued someone for this. I won.

Answer 10

I'm not sure. I know employees are not suppose to know each others salary, like it's a big secret or something. Did they give you a reason for firing you? I'd seek some legal advice if I were you. Good luck!

Answer 11

Yes.
You directly challenged the company. The employment custom in the United States is "at will". Next time, work a couple of months and then ask for a raise.