| This global recession is hitting just about | | | | without severance. Go to all meetings, stay at |
| everyone. Companies are losing money because | | | | work for the whole day, and don't violate any |
| the economy is doing so poorly. One way for | | | | company policies whatsoever... even tiny stupid |
| companies to make up for losses is to lay off its | | | | policies. Don't even bring home an office pen, so |
| employees, thus reducing a major cost center. If | | | | they can't fire you for theft. Realize they may be |
| you have an employment contract though, it | | | | looking to fire you for any reason whatsoever; |
| becomes much more difficult for them to fire | | | | even a stupid reason. |
| you... but not impossible. | | | | Next you should collect proof of your situation. |
| When you first started the job and first signed | | | | Create a file that lists all the good work you've |
| the contract neither you or your boss probably | | | | done for the company; I'm talking about good |
| thought about firing you. It was just a distant | | | | reviews you've received from supervisors, |
| possibility, not something to think about at the | | | | documents or memos that showed how you |
| time. For whatever reason, things may have gone | | | | have achieved certain goals, things like this. |
| wrong somewhere along the way; whether | | | | Anything that can show you in a good light so |
| because of the recession or for some other | | | | that they can't suggest that you are a bad |
| reason, your boss may be looking to get rid of | | | | employee. |
| your. What do you do? | | | | Next you may request an evaluation of your |
| The first thing you should do before you do | | | | work to date. This shows that you are open to |
| anything else is to review your employment | | | | criticism and are actively working to do the best |
| contract. Don't just look at the severance clause | | | | that you can. Along the same lines you might try |
| which shows you the specifics of what a | | | | sending a memo to your supervisor discussing the |
| company should pay you if they terminate the | | | | current state of any projects you are working on. |
| agreement. Also be sure to pay attention to any | | | | In the memo say things like "we are currently |
| other section that you think your boss may use | | | | achieving the goals of this project". Even if they |
| to get out of paying severance pay, or that they | | | | don't agree with you, later on you can produce |
| may use to pay less severance than you | | | | this memo as evidence that you were doing your |
| deserve. Be sure to review the "for cause" | | | | job well. |
| section that will describe in greater detail what | | | | None of these things will keep you from getting |
| conditions you can be held in violation of the | | | | fired if your boss has already decided to fire you. |
| agreement, in which point your employer doesn't | | | | What they will do however, is allow you to make |
| have to pay you anything. | | | | a case for receiving full severance and make sure |
| The next thing you want to be sure to do is fulfill | | | | you don't get cheated out of what you deserve. |
| all of your contract provisions to the letter. Don't | | | | But every little thing you can do along these lines |
| give your boss any pretext for kicking you out | | | | will surely help in the end. |