Is this lay off legal?

Question

I work for a small law firm (about 30 people). At the end of my shift today, the office manager who is also the HR approached me and let me know that they have decided to let me go. She gave me my last paycheck plus one month's salary and 1 week vacation. Is it illegal that I was the only one? Can companies lay one person off at a time like they did with me? The office manager said that it has nothing to do with my work performance, etc. but that business was slow and it has been for several months as a result of cases settling. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Sure it's legal. Unless you have an employment contract either individually or through a collective bargaining agreement, your employment is considered "At Will." That simply means that you can be let go at any time for any reason, or for no stated reason at all. It also means that you can walk off the job without notice at any time and the employer cannot take any adverse action against you.

The discharge was handled professionally. They had your final check ready along with some severance and accrued vacation. Lacking any explicit contract between you and the employer, they gave you more than they were legally obligated to do which was at most your final paycheck.

If you take this gracefully, you can count on a glowing recommendation from the firm and very possibly the first call when they decide to add staff again. If you make a stink about it you'll probably still get a decent recommendation but any chance of a re-hire would be gone for good.

Answer 2

Yes it is legal. It's called employment at will. Be grateful they gave you such a great going away gift. After all most employers don't give you anything but your final check. I know it is a blow to the ego but sometimes even lawyers (collections I take it) settle out and nothing new comes their way.

I know when I was blown out I got a pat on the back a we couldn't have done it without you and thanks a bunch.

Now buckle down go to the unemployment office file for unemployment and look for new work. Or start your own consulting firm or go into business into something you really want to do. That's what I did. After I was blown out I got mad started my own company went against them and put their sorry so and so's out of business :)

Now go get em tiger!

Answer 3

Sounds like a good enough reason. I work security at an artsy-fartsy theatre, and we just let a VP go due to "restructuring," when it was, in fact, to get a rental deal to happen. He was the only person standing in the way of that deal so they let him go with a bullcrap excuse. With your situation though, I think they are legitimately downsizing in order to stay in business.

I wouldn't worry too much about it though. With your experience and work ethic, I think you'll find yourself a job soon enough. There's always someone looking for someone who can do legal duties.

Answer 4

It's perfectly legal. Most states are "at will" states, meaning an employer can let you go whenever it wants, with or without reason. Conversely, you can leave whenever you want, with or without reason. Sounds like your former employer was upfront with you. If they don't have the workload, they can't pay you. I would ask for a reference or a nice letter of recommendation.

Answer 5

Yes it is legal. There is no minimum number of people that a company has to lay off. If the business needs require it, they can lay of one person. Sorry.

Answer 6

he has to in basic terms pay you fro the days you worked. then your on unemployment coverage money from the state for sixteen weeks after which you may desire to discover some paintings formerly your cash runs out. you could save on with for a extention of unemployement yet they require 5 jobs you have been became down a week to make certain which you to maintain your checks coming. cheers its a not elementary industry to be unemployed in yet attempt extra good. cheers