Job Interview and Termination

bubbaofga · #1 02-23-2011, 08:33 PM

In Georgia, can you be terminated for asking to take a day off to go to another job interview?
I wanted to leave or I would not have went to an interview. Was just trying to be upfront about it and got let go earlier than I expected.

Dead Eye Eddy · #2 02-23-2011, 08:39 PM

From what I understand, in GA, everyone is an "employee at will" and can be terminated at any time without reason.

I once put in a 2-week notice and got terminated that same day. I ended up being without a job (and a salary)for 2 weeks because my new job didn't start yet.

germag · #3 02-23-2011, 08:44 PM

Yep. You sure can.

Fletch_W · #4 02-23-2011, 09:44 PM

Next time, lie.

Fletch_W · #5 02-23-2011, 09:45 PM

There's people I knew who got fired for getting a hair cut... they assumed he was looking around.

merc123 · #6 02-24-2011, 05:02 AM

"At will" state as was stated earlier. They can fire you for wearing shoes and a shirt if they wanted too.

LEON MANLEY · #7 02-24-2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Eye Eddy

From what I understand, in GA, everyone is an "employee at will" and can be terminated at any time without reason.

I once put in a 2-week notice and got terminated that same day. I ended up being without a job (and a salary)for 2 weeks because my new job didn't start yet.

I quit one job and started another the next day, With the vacation time I had left from the previous job, I drew a paycheck from both places for two weeks.

There ain't nothing better than a plan coming together.

deerehauler · #8 02-24-2011, 07:07 AM

Yep Georgia is a right to work state! Your employer does not need a reason to fire you!

wmahunter · #9 02-24-2011, 07:48 AM

My attitude has changed over the years from experience in being both an employee and employer. At this point GA law has made me come to realize that since the employer doesn't have to give you 2 weeks notice to fire you for no cause, then employees have no obligation to give them 2 weeks notice before leaving either. You do so at YOUR OWN risk.

MonroeTaco · #10 02-24-2011, 08:11 AM

Why would you tell your employer you have an interview for another job? Don't ever give them a reason to think you're leaving them. Hope you got the other job.

Wild Turkey · #11 02-24-2011, 08:12 AM

For the young fellas out there from an employer.

Never tell your boss that the dude down the street will give you more money to work for him and if he matches it you will stay. If he's shorthanded, he will give you the money and fire you when he finds your replacement.
Either take the job down the street or stay where you are and keep it to yourself.

Dub · #12 02-24-2011, 08:38 AM

Chalk this up as a learning experience.

You were simply being honest and it cost you. That's a tough shot on the chin. Sometimes it's best to keep some information on a need-to-know basis.

Interviewing can be very tough....just the logistics of time and location can be awkward. Having to jump through hoops just to get there can throw you off your game and make for a poor interview.

Always, always leave some vacation time saved for such things if at all possible. DO NOT GO INTO DETAIL as to why you need it. Maintain a high level of output and peform your current job to the best of your ability.

And don't be surprised if they don't let you work out a notice...it happens. They may feel wounded and put out....then again they may be grateful for 2-4 weeks notice. You'll have to gauge that yourself.

If they do cut you loose soon then enjoy having the time to tackle some projects around the house and poke around on some long hikes through the woods. Decompress and let the old job stress go. Enter the new one fresh and hungry.

It's a tough market out there. Perfomance speaks volumes. Professionalism does, too. I value these qualities in my employees a great deal.

Good luck.

wmahunter · #13 02-24-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Turkey

For the young fellas out there from an employer.

Never tell your boss that the dude down the street will give you more money to work for him and if he matches it you will stay. If he's shorthanded, he will give you the money and fire you when he finds your replacement.
Either take the job down the street or stay where you are and keep it to yourself.

Good advice here.

Streetsweeper · #14 02-24-2011, 12:50 PM

Thats right "an employee or employer" can choose to cut ties at anytime w/o reason. Ga. is considered a "right to work" state.........

Phillip Thurmond · #15 02-24-2011, 01:56 PM

As an employer I can see both sides. I had an employee ask for time off to go interview for another job. The other job was a better job and better money. I could not blame him for looking as I would have done so myself. As it turned out he did not get the other job and stayed with me. That was 3 years ago and he is still with me.
I think some people might have fired him but I did not! maybe i'm just a little bit different. He is a hard working, Honest person and I admire him for telling me. I don't blame someone for trying to better themselves.

Ballplayer · #16 02-24-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillip Thurmond

As an employer I can see both sides. I had an employee ask for time off to go interview for another job. The other job was a better job and better money. I could not blame him for looking as I would have done so myself. As it turned out he did not get the other job and stayed with me. That was 3 years ago and he is still with me.
I think some people might have fired him but I did not! maybe i'm just a little bit different. He is a hard working, Honest person and I admire him for telling me. I don't blame someone for trying to better themselves.

Sounds like a good reccomendation, send me his name I'm always looking for someone like that.

Seriously, you sound like a fine human and since he's stayed with you this long I think he realizes it too. Good for you "Boss"

**CAL** · #17 02-24-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phillip Thurmond

As an employer I can see both sides. I had an employee ask for time off to go interview for another job. The other job was a better job and better money. I could not blame him for looking as I would have done so myself. As it turned out he did not get the other job and stayed with me. That was 3 years ago and he is still with me.
I think some people might have fired him but I did not! maybe i'm just a little bit different. He is a hard working, Honest person and I admire him for telling me. I don't blame someone for trying to better themselves.

You Sir are a person few and far between.Not many employers would do what you did.I do hope your employees realize what kind of employer you are and appreciate you and working for you too.Thanks for being who you are and what you believe in!

germag · #18 02-24-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deerehauler

Yep Georgia is a right to work state! Your employer does not need a reason to fire you!

This has nothing to do with Georgia being a "Right to Work" state. "Right to Work" State means that you cannot be forced to join a Union or pay Union dues in order to work at a place. Google "Taft-Hartley" for more information.

The thing that allows an employer in Georgia to fire someone for just about any reason is "Employment at Will". I say "just about" any reason because there are definitely reasons for which you cannot be fired as provided by Federal discrimination laws.

sinclair1 · #19 02-24-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by germag

This has nothing to do with Georgia being a "Right to Work" state. "Right to Work" State means that you cannot be forced to join a Union or pay Union dues in order to work at a place. Google "Taft-Hartley" for more information.

The thing that allows an employer in Georgia to fire someone for just about any reason is "Employment at Will". I say "just about" any reason because there are definitely reasons for which you cannot be fired as provided by Federal discrimination laws.

Yep, I had a co worker say "its not a good fit" the guy was black and the other 3 in the department were white. we were sued for discrimination based on that statement. i dont really know the details as it was settled out of court, but policy allowed very little comment upon discharge there after.

germag · #20 02-24-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinclair1

Yep, I had a co worker say "its not a good fit" the guy was black and the other 3 in the department were white. we were sued for discrimination based on that statement. i dont really know the details as it was settled out of court, but policy allowed very little comment upon discharge there after.

I had to terminate a manager one time several years ago because of a comment he made during an interview with a female applicant. He told her "Your resume and qualifications are as good as anyone so far. The only problem I have is that you're female and I'm afraid you'll be too emotional to handle the job." Stupid. STUPID. Needless to say she got hired.

bubbaofga · #21 02-24-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dub

Chalk this up as a learning experience.

You were simply being honest and it cost you. That's a tough shot on the chin. Sometimes it's best to keep some information on a need-to-know basis.

Interviewing can be very tough....just the logistics of time and location can be awkward. Having to jump through hoops just to get there can throw you off your game and make for a poor interview.

Always, always leave some vacation time saved for such things if at all possible. DO NOT GO INTO DETAIL as to why you need it. Maintain a high level of output and peform your current job to the best of your ability.

And don't be surprised if they don't let you work out a notice...it happens. They may feel wounded and put out....then again they may be grateful for 2-4 weeks notice. You'll have to gauge that yourself.

If they do cut you loose soon then enjoy having the time to tackle some projects around the house and poke around on some long hikes through the woods. Decompress and let the old job stress go. Enter the new one fresh and hungry.

It's a tough market out there. Perfomance speaks volumes. Professionalism does, too. I value these qualities in my employees a great deal.

Good luck.

Dub, you are exactly correct. I've always told the truth and sometimes it bites me. It did this time.
That being said, I am actually enjoying these few days off to "decompress" before I start my other job. Lord knows I need it.
Oh, and it's about bedding time ain't it? Funny how things work out sometimes.

Thanks guys

SkintRider · #22 02-25-2011, 02:27 PM

Last time I gave a 2 week notice and was let go the next day, the Labor Dept. told me I should be paid for those 2 weeks notice I gave the company. I asked the company manager and he said not a chance. I called the company's human resources person and was told I would have my 2 weeks check shortly.
"Most employers" will deny this if brought up, but I "think" it is Ga. law.

FishingAddict · #23 02-25-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by germag

I had to terminate a manager one time several years ago because of a comment he made during an interview with a female applicant. He told her "Your resume and qualifications are as good as anyone so far. The only problem I have is that you're female and I'm afraid you'll be too emotional to handle the job." Stupid. STUPID. Needless to say she got hired.

That was stupid for him to say. How did you know?

I've always given two weeks at least, but was once that I gave more like 5 months notice.

The kept me around. Funny what happens when you make your company money via your personal relationships you've developed while working there.

germag · #24 02-25-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingAddict

That was stupid for him to say. How did you know?

Well, the first notification I had was when he briefed me on the interview and told me about it that afternoon. At that point I told him that he may have just made the mistake that would cost him his job and then had to explain it to him. (I didn't hire him, I inherited that mistake from my predecessor)

Then, I got a call from HR within a day or two because (understandably) the girl called them and filed a complaint. It was pretty much a done deal when she picked up the phone and called HR. I probably would have demoted him anyway because you can't have that kind of liability in a management position. He had been counselled a couple of times before for making inappropriate comments to female employees and for calling them "sweetie" and "honey".....and putting his arm around their shoulder when he was talking to them, etc. and some of them didn't like it....he was sort of a creepy guy, I guess, from their point of view. The reason I hadn't fired him before that was because he hadn't made any real advances or propositions to them and used their job or his position as leverage....this was back in the early days of sexual harassment awareness and companies sort of putting policies in place to deal with it. In order to make a case for dismissal, those elements were sort of a requirement.

T.P. · #25 02-25-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkintRider

Last time I gave a 2 week notice and was let go the next day, the Labor Dept. told me I should be paid for those 2 weeks notice I gave the company. I asked the company manager and he said not a chance. I called the company's human resources person and was told I would have my 2 weeks check shortly.
"Most employers" will deny this if brought up, but I "think" it is Ga. law.

Not true, if you don't work you don't get paid.