hiring an employment lawyer when your position is eliminated

by Katarina Farrell 3 min read

Is the elimination of my job fair or legal?

Answers (2) BAELO. It sounds like the lay-off was a pretext to get rid of you. When an employer discharges an employee and contemporaneously offers a severance package in exchange for an agreement to release any and all potential claims against the employer,if the employee rejects the offer, and later sues the employer, the employee often seeks ...

Do you have a legal right to eliminate a position?

Sep 30, 2012 · Answer: Your employer is prohibited from adversely changing your job in any significant way.If your employer does so, this gives you the right to a legal claim referred to as a constructive dismissal. In essence, it permits you to treat the employment relationship as over, leave work, and then sue for severance as if you were fired.

Is it illegal to eliminate a job without eliminating job tasks?

If your business must comply with U.S. Department of Labor’s Family and Medical Leave rules, eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. When the employee returns, you must return the employee to the same or a similar role. Unless you discuss a possible position ...

What should I do if my job is eliminated?

Jul 08, 2019 · Here Are Some Actions to Take Figure out what, if anything, the company is offering. Talk with human resources about severance packages if your... Look into unemployment benefits when your position is eliminated. Unemployment benefits won’t come close to your... Consider a side hustle. Thanks to the ...

What happens if my position is eliminated?

What does "position eliminated" mean? Position eliminated means the company you work for is removing your role and its responsibilities. Typically when this occurs, employers eliminate your specific position entirely, so they won't hire anyone else to replace you in your role, since it'll be nonexistent.Feb 22, 2021

Is a position elimination considered a layoff?

For regular professional staff, layoff is the elimination of a position due to a lack of work, a lack of funds and/or because of a reorganization.

What is it called when your job is eliminated?

Employers (and employment lawyers) use the term "layoff" generally for any job termination based on a business reason, such as lack of work. A reduction-in-force (RIF) refers to the elimination of one or more positions to save money.

Is position eliminated same as fired?

Being fired means that the company ended your employment for reasons specific to you. This may also be referred to as “terminated” by some companies. Getting laid off is different, and means that the company eliminated your position for strategic or financial reasons and not through any fault of yours.

Why do positions get eliminated?

Employers choose to eliminate positions based on a number of factors, such as staffing changes resulting from company reorganization, consolidation of department functions or revised business strategy.

Why are positions eliminated?

It's gentler than a firing, yet stings more than a layoff. Sometimes, a position is eliminated for legitimate reasons—the company was over-staffed and change was inevitable. In other situations, “we're eliminating your position” can be code for “we're unhappy with you, but we don't care to get into it.”Jul 8, 2019

Can companies rehire after severance?

Yes. There are no laws prohibiting employers from rehiring laid-off employees. Rehiring a laid-off employee can save you time and money, since they are familiar with your business practices, and additional resources won't be needed to train them.

How long after eliminating a position should we wait before filling a position?

A good general rule is to wait at least six months before refilling a position that you laid an employee off from.

How do you negotiate severance pay when fired?

Here are the key steps for negotiating an exit package:Understand the components of a severance package. ... Wait before signing paperwork. ... Read everything carefully. ... Get an expert opinion. ... Understand your priorities. ... Negotiate for more than money. ... Decide on a reasonable request. ... Leverage your success.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

Can employers force you to do new duties?

Since employers cannot “force” new duties on you, usually these occur over time and it is often by design. However, whether a job gradually changes or is changed overnight will seldom matter. The courts will ask whether the job you are performing is what you were hired to do.

Can you get a pay cut if you are over 10%?

There are many other forms of pay cuts that are not allowed. Court cases show that any reduction of over 10% of your total compensation generally cannot be imposed. Anything less may have to be accepted in some circumstances.

Can an employer change your job?

Answer: Your employer is prohibited from adversely changing your job in any significant way.If your employer does so, this gives you the right to a legal claim referred to as a constructive dismissal. In essence, it permits you to treat the employment relationship as over, leave work, and then sue for severance as if you were fired.

Can you sue for severance if you are fired?

In essence, it permits you to treat the employment relationship as over, leave work, and then sue for severance as if you were fired. Here are some of my favourite examples: Changed hours of work – If a specific shift or certain hours have become customary, your employer cannot make any real change without your consent.

Can you complain about commute times?

It is usually not a problem unless longer commute times are involved. Only then will you likely complain. If that commute is materially longer, you cannot be compelled to go.

What are the exceptions to at will employment?

The major exceptions are public policy, implied contract, and implied covenant of good faith. Check your state laws to learn how your state defines these exceptions and whether they apply.

When an employee returns to work, must you return the employee to the same or a similar role?

When the employee returns, you must return the employee to the same or a similar role. Unless you discuss a possible position elimination due to economic conditions or the business’s financial state before the employee goes on leave, you can’t eliminate an employee's job while the employee is on leave without also expecting a possible retaliation ...

How long can an employee be on leave?

If your business must comply with U.S. Department of Labor’s Family and Medical Leave rules, eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. When the employee returns, you must return the employee to the same or a similar role. Unless you discuss a possible position elimination due to economic conditions or the business’s financial state before the employee goes on leave, you can’t eliminate an employee's job while the employee is on leave without also expecting a possible retaliation claim.

What is the federal labor law?

Federal Labor Laws. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces a number of anti-discrimination labor laws. Among these are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act amendment -- the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Is downsizing and eliminating positions the best way to save your business?

There may be no more stressful time than realizing that downsizing and eliminating positions is the best -- or only -- way to save your business. Don’t worsen an already difficult situation; eliminate positions fairly and in full compliance with federal labor laws.

What to do if your position is eliminated?

Talk with human resources about severance packages if your position is eliminated. You should at least be walking out the door with accumulated vacation time. If your job was eliminated for legitimate reasons of overstaffing, ask if there’s an opportunity in another department.

How to get out of unemployment depression?

Take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Volunteer for a non-profit or community group— you might also find networking opportunities. Also, know that unemployment depression is real. It can leave amazingly competent professionals incapable of leaving their homes out of a sense of shame or failure.

How to stay in bed until noon?

It’s important, though, to establish a new routine so staying in bed until noon doesn’t become habit. Devote at least a couple of hours a day to your job search. This can include time training yourself in skills that will make you more marketable. Take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

Is it harder to get a job when you're unemployed?

It’s not your imagination : It is harder to land a job when you’re unemployed. Some companies consider a layoff a red flag and wonder what you did to cause it. You need a strategy to take yourself out of the bargain bin and back up to full market value.

What does "position eliminated" mean?

Position eliminated means the company you work for is removing your role and its responsibilities. Typically when this occurs, employers eliminate your specific position entirely, so they won't hire anyone else to replace you in your role, since it'll be nonexistent.

What does a position eliminated letter look like?

Many companies will distribute letter or emails informing you that your position is being eliminated and detailing next steps to take. Elements you'll typically find in an elimination letter are:

What to do if you receive a position eliminated letter

It can seem daunting and overwhelming to receive a position eliminated letter from your employer. It's important to take time to reflect on the situation and remain professional on your final days with the company. Follow these steps if you receive a position eliminated letter:

What to do if you are pushed out of a protected class in California?

depending on the state, in ca, if the person being 'pushed' out is of a protected class, then it is advised to file with the ca department of fair employment and housing. ca state law is the toughest on employers of any state, and they would certainly investigate the possbility of the 'pushed' out employee being discriminated against based on their protected class.

Is it illegal to fire someone you hired?

Everyone has a gender, a national origin, and a religion (even if it's no religion at all). Having said that, it is not illegal to fire you to hire someone the manager already knows, unless the SOLE reason is because of protected characteristic under Title VII.