Anytime you have been fired or laid off from your job, it is a good idea to ensure you are properly documenting by collecting documents and paperwork that may be related to your termination, especially if you are considering legal action.
By documenting your case, you will better be able to protect your rights, especially in cases of wrongful termination. Here are some things to do when documenting your termination case:
Keep a Paper Trail: In the event that you think something is wrong with your employer, and you feel your employment is at risk, you can take action, regardless of whether there has been any disciplinary action against you.
- Keep Records: Such as performance reviews, salary increases or decreases, as well as informal comments that your supervisor makes to you about your work.
- Note the Important Information: Date, time, and location, who was involved, and witnesses.
- Back up with Documentation: Documents such as employment policies, memos, or reviews. However, ensure you have all the necessary right to access these documents. Otherwise, your case could be thrown out and you’d be in huge legal trouble.
Copy your Personal File: Be sure to keep a copy your personnel file, making a copy of all reports and performance reviews.
Ask for a Written Explanation of your Termination: It may be a good idea to ask your former employer for a written explanation of why you were terminated. This can help in order to determine if the reason for your termination is wrongful or not, and can be used for documentation as well.
Collect Other Forms of Documentation: If you file a claim for unemployment, your former employer will need to respond to your claim and will be translated into a document that your local unemployment office will send to you, indicating the reason for your termination.
If you feel you have been wrongfully terminated, be sure to consult with the employment attorneys at Maduff & Maduff as soon as possible.