I've been working for this retail place (Canada, Ontario) for about 7 months now. They've told me around september how they were closing down but told me how I would be placed in one of their other 4 stores and not to worry. As the deadline has drawn closer and closer they haven't said a word about my placement. The District Manager came to me Saturday 22 with a note to sign saying my job will be terminated on Dec 31...
They told me I would have a place... not maybe. They said maybe in the last days... now its good bye?
Are they allowed to do that? What could I do? Who could I report it to?
on a side note... you think loyalty and hard work would place you some where...but not everywhere...
2007-12-25 18:02:45 · 11 answers · asked by aleasha_Sam01 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Unfortunately, they can do that.
Now, as I gather from what you've written, you and your employer only had a verbal agreement. That's quite unreliable since people have the tendency to forget, right? So, if ever you plan on going to your country's Labor department, what evidence could you present? Unless you have witnesses to support your claim. Then again, it will still be hard since you have no tangible evidence of what you and your employer talked about.
For some employees, what they do is they write down on paper what both parties have talked about and then they ask the employer to sign that paper. I do think it's legal. It's just better to have concrete and tangible evidence.
Another thing, do you have a copy of your contract? If you have, please read through it again. Some contracts have clauses that say --- and I will simplify it --- that the company can terminate employees (sometimes without back-pay or incentives or a placement in some other company) in the event that company may have to close down.
If your contract doesn't have that (clause), well, you may have a fighting chance.
Then again, it will depend on the labor laws of your country. (If you can, please read that, too.)
So, next time, remember: If ever you and your employer talked about something important, write it down and let both of you sign it. It's always better to have everything on record so nobody can say "I didn't say that!" :-)
2007-12-25 18:29:32 · answer #1 · answered by The Black Bass 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i worked for a grocery store that had 3 other stores in my area. i was the produce manager, helped open the store.... worked my little behind off there... and was given a 2 day notice that the store was closing a year later. when i asked about being transferred to another store, the owner told me that anyone wishing to do so would have to fill out an application. i talked to several people who all told me that we should have had first dibs on any open position... but in the end it's the company's call as to what they will do. tell you what.... it friggin sucked. all my loyalty to that job... working all the hours.... and i get turned away like a 16 year old applying at taco bell.
so... yea, they can do that. and most likely they will....
2007-12-25 18:10:08 · answer #2 · answered by evilunknownsoldier 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ontario is in a recession, just like Michigan.
I'm sure they hoped that things would be going well enough to move you, but they found out how bad the economy really is.
You now have 2 choices. Get angry and bitter and spend all your time and energy mad that they "lied to you". OR, pour all that energy into finding a new job.
Which path will help you pay your bills?
Good luck to you, and to us all. Times are tough and it will not be getting any easier anytime soon.
Peace to you.
2007-12-25 18:50:04 · answer #3 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a company shuts down to due losing money, they are allowed to fire you without comensation and allowed to revoke any contracts they had with their emplyer. That's why labor unions are so welcomed and/or a lot of people sue to get their retirement and a month pay for every year they worked, etc.
2007-12-25 18:08:22 · answer #4 · answered by Bobby K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They wouldn't say you are being terminated if you are being transferred to another store. Basically, they lied. Looks to me like the reason they lied is that they don't want you to bail, because then they would be even more screwed.
2007-12-25 18:18:06 · answer #5 · answered by Arcanum Noctis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have some proof of what they told you in September? If you have it in writing (like in an e-mail) then you may have a case. If it was just verbal, then they can change their minds.
2007-12-25 18:13:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can, sorry.
"If" you have proof that they promised you a new job, AND that you have lost money by relying on that promise (for example you turned down another job) then you "might" have grounds for a suit on the grounds of "detrimental reliance", but I have to say it's unlikely.
Richard
2007-12-25 18:07:12 · answer #7 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could file a grievance and try to collect severance pay or if that doesn't work you could try unemployment claim.
2007-12-25 18:10:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i hate to say it but your employer can do what ever they want, and they hope that you will not fight it , it sucks but check out your employee rights, on line and that might help you out. oh and for your records, document all of your notes, conversations, that you have with your employer!
2007-12-25 18:14:18 · answer #9 · answered by bobby c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Collect unemployment while your looking for another job!
2007-12-25 18:27:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋