Well, I'm pretty depressed and disgusted with my situation right now. An hour ago I got fired from my job. It wasn't because I came in late, it wasn't because I was a slacker, and it wasn't because I stole anything. I got fired for complaining about my job, online. Let this be a lesson to you all! Even though I never gave ANY personal information away online, somehow the multi-billion dollar company I worked for found what I had said. It was the last thing I had expected, especially since I was such a good worker (no attendance issues, I was a very hard worker, I followed all of the codes and rules, etc.) But all because I said bad things about the company online (related to pay, raises, and what I felt were unethical rules they had in place) I lost my job. The company that I had worked for said that if I ever said anything about them online again, I would be brought to court. The Internet isn't as big as you think it is, not between you and your employer.
I learned my lesson. I feel like an idiot. It's too bad I can't tell the whole story here, like why I said what I said about the company. I'm sure you'd all be on my side if I told you. But I don't want to risk anything further with the company so I'm going to stay neutral and not talk about them ever again.
But now I have to struggle with finding a new job, which in itself will be a challenge (especially where I live.) I also don't know what on earth I should do regarding my employment history/reference, how can I include the company I worked for on my resume? Because if any potential-employer calls them up, they'll tell them what I did, and then the company I'm applying for wouldn't want to hire me likely. What do I do?
First off. I would recommend seeing your local arbitration board for employment over this matter. IF there were no written material of blasting you companies practices...Than they are boarderline at fault as much as what you have done.
Arbitration is a good way to settle such a matter and possible clear your name or just to leave things unsaid without tainting your name for future and potential employment.
And one more thing when you mentioned the unethical behaviour of the company, did you do it on their company and on company time. This would be a big no no.
But either way, look into the labor board for arbitration in this matter. It is much easier and less on the pocket book than court proceedings.
Many large companies have a strict policy on what can be said about
an ex-employee. They don't want to be sued for keeping someone
from finding new employment. In any case, if you don't get hired
by a company there is nothing wrong in asking them why they
didn't hire you. I suggest that you just be somewhat truthful about your
previous employment, but don't whin about your mistreatment.
And of course, you have learned your lession.
not sure if you did this, but tip for everyone: watch what you say when using company computers or when you're connected to the internet from a company's connection.
Thank you guys for the advice/support, it really means a lot to me.
Here's the weird thing: everything "negative" I posted about the company was done using my home PC. So I don't know how they knew it was me, but they never showed me any proof that they knew it was me. Was it me? Of course it was, but I don't know how they found it out because I never disclosed any personal information.
I don't know about going to the arbitration board with this because I didn't deny that I wrote what I wrote online. I also don't want to push the company's buttons even more, they already threatened to bring me to court if I said anything about them on the Internet again. And we're talking a huge company, several several chains and billions of dollars of net worth.
I just don't know what I should tell any future employers. If I leave this place down as a reference, potential employers might call them up and say "hey how's this guy perform?" then the company I got fired from today would go "oh, he's a hard worker.. it's just that he has been disloyal to us and posted negative things on the Internet about us."
I mean do I even have a chance at another job?
I don't know what to do, I keep thinking this is something that will haunt me for the rest of my employed life. If I say on applications that I've never gotten fired and they find out I'm lying, I'll be unemployed again. If I tell the truth, I'll be questioned about what I did, if I lie or even if I tell the truth I might not be hired. I'm so worried about my future now.
Unfortunately you do have to be extremely careful on what you say about companies on line especially if they are your employers.
Out of interest where did you post the comments? Was it on for example your own website or on a site where you also post info or links to your site? if so they could easily have used whois to find the name and address.
A few weeks ago I was watching BBC news 24 and they actually warned people over slagging their employers on their blog, they described a similar case where an employee was sacked because of it.
Regarding arbitration, I do not know where you live but are you a member of a union? or do you have access to things like Citizens Advice Bureau (something we have in the Uk where you can seek advice on almost any subject free of charge). if you do then contact them as soon as possible, explain the situation and they maybe able to give you professional advice (most likely involving a lawyer) and tell you on how you can proceed.
At least you learned your lesson. Too many people sadly are in your position so you can't blog about your work or company because they can find out. On the other hand since you stated that they didn't have any personal relation to the site (was your whois private ) then I would have to agree with dna on this one.
Cheer up. Don't get down and keep pushing on. You've learned your mistake and I'm sure the hard effort you show at your work will get you hired.
Find out your rights in this position. They can't shut you up unless you signed a specific non-disclosure agreement. Even then...there are things you are allowed to voice..such as your displeasures emotionally. It sounds to me like this billion dollar POS company is interested in keeping your mouth shut. That means you have a power over them. If you get a lawyer...and start talking to the press or anyone that will listen..they won't like it. Sure they can sue you...but for what? What do you have they want? They have to prove damages as well. Consider calling the ACLU even..their lawyers make any company cry and they might take your case for free.
Remember my advice...get a lawyer..seek immediate legal counsel.
I agree with labrocca 100%. I was involved in 2 separate medical malpractice suits recently. There are so many things that lawyers bring up, even before trial, that you would never imagine. Of course, you situation doesn't involve medical malpractice, but you should definately get a lawyer.
Just because you got fired, and you "think" you probably did wrong, doesn't mean you did. It also doesn't mean your company didn't do wrong.
I have heard of cases, for example, where a company fired an employee for misusing a company cellphone. Of, course they reviewed the employees cell phone records. Turns out the employee got his job back, because his lawyer pointed out that other employees records weren't checked, only this employee. I don't know if this is true, but it is just an example anyway.
Get a lawyer, and let him decide if you did wrong.They are professionals, and you aren't the first person who has been wrongly fired.
Have you ever noticed when person charged with a crime, like murder, rape, or even grand theft, always plead innocent, when they go to court? You may even think they are guilly 100%,and you wonder how they could possibly plead innocent? It is because in America you ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. Make your company prove in court you did something that deserved being fired. NEVER SAY DIE!
Good luck
Frank
Frank
You dont need to be a member of a Union to go through an arbritation.
My husband was sacked from a job. He was a freelance Auto Mechanic.
But they way his boss went about was illegal. They also threw in a few extra things into the case. One of them being was that he was late to work a few times, he did admit to being late. But the other things were untrue. He won the case and his former boss had to pay the arbitration fees and loss of income during the 2 weeks he had to find another job. And a few other small fees to him as well.
I actually know someone who was fired from his employer for stealing
a few cookies and never worked again. He just lived with his mother
for the next 20 years until she died. He inherited enough money
to so that he never has to work again.
If you decide to sue your previous employer i hope you have a
rich mother.
Though I believe this issue could be fought I do not believe you have the ways and means to do so. I went through a similiar situation years ago with a big company and the fact is that they have the money and the lawyers. The little guys do not have a chance..
My advice would be to lick your wounds and move on....
My husband never had to pay any arbitration fees. Only if he had lost the case than he did. But he didnt lose. So it is the = to lawyers. You pay if you lose.
First off it is illegal for an employer to say anything negative OR positive about you. When they are called and asked to verify employment, literally all they should be saying is dates of employment. That being said many employers do not follow this rule and there are ways of implying without saying anything i.e. sighs, tone of voice etc. Even if you asked the reason for not being hired you may not get the information.
Personally i would fight against them , if you believe that you are right and if you dont wanna ruin all your life then just talk with a lawyer and try to beat them , maybe it will be really difficult as they are powerful and they have lot of money but do not stat neutral and watch all this posts in this thread !
Im quite sure that you know something about them which it is true and they dont want public to know what is it so another alternative is speak with the boss of that company and tell him that you want XXXXX$ otherwise there will be a nice article after one day on "New York Times"
Thanks and dont worry , life is a challenge!
Olgi
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Yes, most employers would never risk saying anythin negative about a former employee because then you could sue THEM... I think you're safe to tell the truth. If it's a large corp as you say, as long as you keep you end of the bargain, I don't think you have to worry. But I would see a lawyer as the others suggest.
I got fired from my job/need advice 
) then I would have to agree with dna on this one.
