Hairstylist wrongful termination, Is there anything I can do?

Question

I've been terminated from my job at a new hair salon. I sent out notices, placed ads, and printed flyers to all of my clients. I worked at this salon for only 3 weeks. I was very professional and never seen this coming. She terminated my employment because " I was making her staff feel uncomfortable about asking how their walk in system works." 2 members of the staff is just starting out & need walk ins to build clientelle. I was told when I was hired that they needed to give these customers to them because that's what they needed for them to build. I understood this however I had a very slow start. Everyday that I've been there, only a few of my clients have been showing up. I never objected this but did start asking questions once I realized I wasn't making enough money. She also said that a client of hers said something to her about my previous place of employment that she found disturbing. I asked her what was said but she won't tell me. Is there anything I can do?

Yes I understand it's(at will) employment but those clients are my livelihood. I sent notices & placed ads & printed flyers. I can't just seek employment elsewhere. This makes my character look bad. These clients are mine & now that I can't work there they can be stolen from her. It took me 3yrs to get a client base this big. Can't I do something?

Answer 1

Quite honestly, the best thing to do is to suck it up. We are all treated horribly unfair at times, it is part of life. I really believe fighting the situation will soil your reputation far more than just moving on. Try and keep as many of your clients as you can, but be careful to be completely respectful of your previous employers in the process.

Also, if you were only there for 3 weeks, and your clients were slow in showing up, it sounds like this isn't as huge as you might think it is. If you have 3 years experience, with a large client base, you should be able to find another salon to hire you. Maybe it is time to borrow some money and start your own salon, who knows? Remember the old adage: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Figure out how to turn this into a good thing.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, if the situation is precisely as you describe you have very little recourse. Since you already understand the 'at will' doctrine, I won't say anything further on that subject. If you can show that somebody (either your previous employer or the client she spoke with) said something UNTRUE that damages your reputation, you can sue them for the tort of defamation. This isn't easy to do, and may be impossible in the circumstances cited.

Advertising for clients, either old ones or new ones is a good strategy for building your business back up -- I just don't think there is much you can do about your previous employer.

Answer 3

I suppose I will be hung for being politically incorrect for saying this, but...

It's ok to be gay, but when you go flamingly gay like that it's just plain disturbing and even offensive to other gay people.

It's wrong for straight people to be overtly sexual too. When Paris Hilton and Britney Spears make their bimbo sluttiness public, that's not ok either.

See gay pride parades for example. No problem with being gay, but there's a problem with dressing like a bondage victim in public, in front of children.

If you can't be gay and civilized at the same time, then it is no wonder you make people uncomfortable.

It's not the homosexuality that is offensive, it's the self-degradation and obnoxious overtness that makes other people turned off to you. This is from a guy who knows plenty of gay people, and most of them would agree with me.

Answer 4

take your clients with you. Call them up, tell them the situation.

Answer 5

What do mean by these clients are yours ?(don't email me ) .

You need to look elsewhere for a hairstylest job.