Fired/severance | Imamother

amother

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:07 pm

Hi,

I was fired from my company without notice. I was specifically told it was not based on performance but rather than they don't need my job anymore.

I'm shocked as I was very busy with the work I was given and I don't see how that can be... I gave my all to my job and never got a word of negative feedback.

They are offering me severance. If I take severance does that mean I can't take unemployment?
What is the normal range of severance for this type of firing?
Is it worth it to sue if I think this was based on being a frum women (rest of department is not Jewish)?

I live in NJ if that makes a difference.

Ty!

amother

Darkblue

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:12 pm

Many companies are downsizing and outsourcing jobs to other countries that charge a fraction of the price

You are still eligible for unemployment. You should file right away and answer any questions regarding severance. It may only start once your severance is done, I’m not sure

I would not recommend suing. It would be near impossible to prove that it was due to you being Jewish (and why would you think so?)

amother

Alyssum

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:29 pm

Usually unemployment starts when severance ends. Severance shouldn't effect your unemployment benefits.
NJ is an at-will state, which means they can let someone go for no reason at all.
Unless you have iron-clad proof that you were let go because you're Jewish, don't sue. Will cost you money, time and aggravation and probably won't get anything from it. I doubt a lawyer would even take the case.

amother

Olive

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:31 pm

amother OP wrote:

The exact same thing just happened to dh!

Yes he got severance, and also unemployment bh.

Call LRRC and they will be able to guide you, and help you navigate through all this... They were enormously helpful with my husbands situation

Eta:

His severance was frontloaded, which means he got a lump sum right away. It wasn't given over a period of time. I'm not sure how that would affect things if done differently, but LRRC can help with guidance.

amother

RosePink

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:39 pm

amother OP wrote:

If they are paying you severance over the course of a few weeks/months you won’t be able to get unemployment during that time frame. Ask for a lump sum payment so you can collect unemployment right away. Severance is usually based on how long you were with the company. Something around two weeks for every year you were there but they can really give you whatever they want.
Wishing you all the best!

amother

Tangerine

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:40 pm

I’m so sorry! Losing your job is such a difficult life event to go through.

Layoffs are very common for the past year or two in many industries. Jobs are being outsourced to cheaper countries or automated. Try not to take it personally although that’s a lot easier said than done.

BH you’re being offered severance pay. Definitely take it. They might make you sign something saying that you won’t sue them before giving you the severance pay but it won’t affect your unemployment pay.

Suing does not make sense here. I get the desire to do something to punish them but it’s not an option. I’m sorry.

amother

Hawthorn

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 1:40 pm

It took me decades to realize that sometimes job don’t work out and it’s nobody’s fault! Maybe the budget for employees was cut and you were earning exactly the amount they needed to cut. Maybe they found a cheaper work solution overseas. Maybe they just ran out of money to pay people and want to cut their losses and save whatever money they have left. It doesn’t mean that you are a bad worker!!

The fact that you are a hard worker will be great when you apply for your next job. For sure don’t sue! I once threatened to sue a company many years ago, and then forever afterward they refused to provide references for me.