Am I TOTALLY SCREWED!! WHAT TO DO?

[JB1978]

Heres the deal. I am 3 1/2 weeks into my background check with a southwestern US agency. Thursday afternoon I was called into a conference room at my now former employer. I was greeted by the Director of operations my department manager and some woman from HR that I had never seen before. Th woman from HR said that I was the..."subject of an investigation based on a complaint by a co worker and based on the findings of said investigation we are terminating you immediatley."

I asked what I was being fired for specifically , who filed the complaint and what the complaint was for. She replied that I did not have the right to ANY INFORMATION furthermore Ohio is a Right to Work State and they..." could fire me for a hundred reasons or for no reason at all."

I explained to her that I was in the process of a background investigation by a police department and that this would more likely than not destroy my chances ( I did not plan on staying there one day longer than necessary as is). I asked her what would be told to someone calling for a employment check. She said that to her knowledge the companies past procedure for employment verification was to state that said person worked there from (time period) and that was all. I spoke to a lawyer the next day and he said that a company can..."say anything they want about a past employee and it is perfectly legal. I believe the exact words he used were..." they can say you were a no good son of a b*tch" and its all legal.

So , ok I was fired , I'm now unemployed and have filed for unemployment compensation. So do I tell my BI? What should I say? The truth I suppose. They say the truth will set you free , but will it set me free from a possible LE job?

I have a feeling this is going to blow me out of the water.


Serious responses would be appreciated. Keep in mind I know this is a less than ideal situation so if you are just going to tell me that I already am aware .

[tinoboy10]

In the same situation

Hey. I'm in the process of starting the hiring process with the WV State Police. Just like you, I was terminated from my job last week after an investigation. But unlike you, I know why I was terminated. This was after an argument with a co-worker that became ugly. The co-worker and I were both at first suspended. I ended up being terminated. I immediately spoke with one State trooper and a police officer about the situation. I told them what happened, why we argued. They said that my termination won't or shouldn't be a problem during my background check. I think I agree with your company HR person that most employment check are about confirming date of employment and end of employment. I don't think they will say bad things about u but I'm not totally positive. I know my former employer won't say anything bad. However, I plan on telling the truth, just the truth and nothing but the truth about what happened if that question comes up during the background check. I suggest you do the same. You haven't been criminally charged of anything after all.

[jerseyshorecop]

jb1978,

Without knowing exactly why you were fired it's hard for anyone on this board to give you advice.

I suspect you know why you were fired.

You need to tell the BI the truth.

[Ten Six]

I think I agree with your company HR person that most employment check are about confirming date of employment and end of employment. I don't think they will say bad things about u but I'm not totally positive.

Your employer might not be allowed to elaborate but your former co-workers might sing like birds. The investigator will almost certainly talk to them.

[aftermath]

Heres the deal. I am 3 1/2 weeks into my background check with a southwestern US agency. Thursday afternoon I was called into a conference room at my now former employer. I was greeted by the Director of operations my department manager and some woman from HR that I had never seen before. Th woman from HR said that I was the..."subject of an investigation based on a complaint by a co worker and based on the findings of said investigation we are terminating you immediatley."

I asked what I was being fired for specifically , who filed the complaint and what the complaint was for. She replied that I did not have the right to ANY INFORMATION furthermore Ohio is a Right to Work State and they..." could fire me for a hundred reasons or for no reason at all."

I explained to her that I was in the process of a background investigation by a police department and that this would more likely than not destroy my chances ( I did not plan on staying there one day longer than necessary as is). I asked her what would be told to someone calling for a employment check. She said that to her knowledge the companies past procedure for employment verification was to state that said person worked there from (time period) and that was all. I spoke to a lawyer the next day and he said that a company can..."say anything they want about a past employee and it is perfectly legal. I believe the exact words he used were..." they can say you were a no good son of a b*tch" and its all legal.

So , ok I was fired , I'm now unemployed and have filed for unemployment compensation. So do I tell my BI? What should I say? The truth I suppose. They say the truth will set you free , but will it set me free from a possible LE job?

I have a feeling this is going to blow me out of the water.


Serious responses would be appreciated. Keep in mind I know this is a less than ideal situation so if you are just going to tell me that I already am aware .

Better you call your BI and notify them immediately. It'll atleast show you're responsible enough to pass the information, even if unpleasant. I don't think it'll seriously hurt you, depending of course on the reason for the termination. Just be honest regardless.

[LeanG]

Th woman from HR said that I was the..."subject of an investigation based on a complaint by a co worker and based on the findings of said investigation we are terminating you immediatley."

I asked what I was being fired for specifically , who filed the complaint and what the complaint was for. She replied that I did not have the right to ANY INFORMATION furthermore Ohio is a Right to Work State and they..." could fire me for a hundred reasons or for no reason at all."
.

Something strikes me as odd...You were employed here, yes? And you had no idea that you were the subject of an investigation? You have no idea why you were terminated? Are you sure you're not leaving something out of this story? It's hard to state an opinion with so many unknowns.

[PhilipCal]

Obviously, I can't pass judgement on the fairness, or lack of fairness involved in your firing. In most private employment situations, employees are "At will". Basically, that means that you can quit, or be discharged at any time, and for just about any reason. No formal process is required. There are attorneys who practice employment law, and you might wish to consult with one. Okay,let's cut to the chase. You need to mention this situation to your BI as soon as possible. Omit it, and I can almost 100% tell you, you're history. You didn't go into any detail regarding what might have caused the dismissal. I don't blame you for not wanting to go public on this forum. I do suggest though, that you give your BI all the pertinant details regarding the situation.

[ftgolfer]

like everyone else, without knowing why you where fired, it's hard to tell. I will tell you, if it was sexual harassment, theft or violence, or computer policy violations(porn) your done just about everywhere.
It seems odd that someone would fire you and not even give you a chance to speak on it. But if that's what happened, good luck bro.

[Taylor1430]

I'd like to hear the rest of the story as well...Regardless, tell it to your BI. I could be a harmless issue until you try to hide it.

I do not know if its MD state law or not, but here, an ex-employer cannot state the reasons to a future employer as to a firing. My understanding from someone who is a human resources director tells me that They can only verify the dates of employment, and if you are "Eligible for Re-Hire", meaning if you left under good or bad terms, but cannot disclose what those terms are. That does not mean that a discussion does not happen, but its not supposed to.

[GPOC]

I'd like to hear the rest of the story as well...Regardless, tell it to your BI. I could be a harmless issue until you try to hide it.

I do not know if its MD state law or not, but here, an ex-employer cannot state the reasons to a future employer as to a firing. My understanding from someone who is a human resources director tells me that They can only verify the dates of employment, and if you are "Eligible for Re-Hire", meaning if you left under good or bad terms, but cannot disclose what those terms are. That does not mean that a discussion does not happen, but its not supposed to.

This is correct for MD. You can state the days they were employed only but I always just asked the simple question of " Would you rehire said individual to work for you? " An answer of NO raises a red flag.

Of course they can give you a form for you to sign allowing an employer to tell them all about you.

[JB1978]

Are you guys all so su****ious due to the nature of your work ,or is it just me?

I spoke to a lawyer and he said that a former employer can say anything they want about you and its perfectly legal. However he did say that most employers try to stick with dates of employment to try and avoid slander/libel lawsuits.

Ok , heres the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth....

Thursday April 17th about 12 noon my supervisor said that the director of operations wanted to see me. I walk into a confrence room an see the Director , my supervisor and some woman from HR that I had never seen before. The woman from HR said..." We conducted an investigation , due to the findings of that investigation we are terminating you immediatley. Security will escort you to your desk to gather your belongings and then you will be escorted out of the building. Do you have any questions?"


I said well , why am I being fired? She replied...." Ohio is a right to work state , we do not have to provide any information. I could fire you for 100 reasons or no reason at all.The company is free to terminate any employment with or without reason." She added in a very condescending way..." If you think back I'm sure you can come up with a reason." ??????????????


I said I didn't even understand what this was about. I had never been counsoled , written up , warned , suspended ,verbally warned...NOTHING!

This woman was very mean , seemed almost as if I had done something personally to her. But I guess thats neither here nor there. She would not tell me anything , show me anything...NOTHING AT ALL!

The gentlemen at the unemployment office also stated to me that he thought and I quote...."Thats very tacky , thats real tacky actually."

I did rely the info to my BI and he responded rather positivley that he appreciated the email about my termination and that if he needed anything he would call me.

[NLRPD]

Why not FOI your employment and personell records from the company you used to work for and see what you get. I would guess you will receive the same information your BI investigator gets.

[exComptonCop]

Are you guys all so su****ious due to the nature of your work ,or is it just me?

Most cops are lied to, every day, all day.(not that this is the case) So they naturally have an investigative nature. What you call it "su****ious", we call it thoroughness...it's you

[Tim Dees]

Why not FOI your employment and personell records from the company you used to work for and see what you get. I would guess you will receive the same information your BI investigator gets.

The Freedom of Information Act does not generally apply to the private sector. It requires public sector agencies to disclose records, or say why they can't or won't.

[aftermath]

Are you guys all so su****ious due to the nature of your work ,or is it just me?

I spoke to a lawyer and he said that a former employer can say anything they want about you and its perfectly legal. However he did say that most employers try to stick with dates of employment to try and avoid slander/libel lawsuits.

Ok , heres the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth....

Thursday April 17th about 12 noon my supervisor said that the director of operations wanted to see me. I walk into a confrence room an see the Director , my supervisor and some woman from HR that I had never seen before. The woman from HR said..." We conducted an investigation , due to the findings of that investigation we are terminating you immediatley. Security will escort you to your desk to gather your belongings and then you will be escorted out of the building. Do you have any questions?"


I said well , why am I being fired? She replied...." Ohio is a right to work state , we do not have to provide any information. I could fire you for 100 reasons or no reason at all.The company is free to terminate any employment with or without reason." She added in a very condescending way..." If you think back I'm sure you can come up with a reason." ??????????????


I said I didn't even understand what this was about. I had never been counsoled , written up , warned , suspended ,verbally warned...NOTHING!

This woman was very mean , seemed almost as if I had done something personally to her. But I guess thats neither here nor there. She would not tell me anything , show me anything...NOTHING AT ALL!

The gentlemen at the unemployment office also stated to me that he thought and I quote...."Thats very tacky , thats real tacky actually."

I did rely the info to my BI and he responded rather positivley that he appreciated the email about my termination and that if he needed anything he would call me.

Well, atleast the BI seemed positive about the fact you were forthright. That right there will get you points. Might not save you completely, but will help.