I got FIRED,....now what?

[shihtzulvr]

My manager managed with an iron hand and always seemed to have her fav person to pick on. The last several months apparently were my turn. However, the added stress and some recent medical problems added to my problems causing me to miss several days of work and even hospitalization. I had a drs note for most of the days I missed and even for the hospitalization.

Apparently, the notes I have don't matter because the organization now has a "no-excuse" attendance policy. AND,...I was fired because of my attendance. I'm sure fighting it is fruitless so I am preparing to move on. What I need to know is how do I explain my firing to prospective employers?

[itsmejuli]

Weren't your documented medical absences covered under FMLA? Did you talk to the HR department?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I thought I answered this.

Just say you left for personal reasons. They will probably not say you were terminated.

[caliotter3]

Say you left for personal reasons. If anything else turns up, tell them what you told us. That all absenses were for medical reasons and were covered with doctor's verification. That was your personal reason. Your health, as verified by doctors. You can't be expected to come up with anything better than this. Start looking for a new job.

[tewdles, RN]

Okay...so look for another job. Good luck with that. List the last employer with a "do not contact" for references. It is helpful to have a recommendation from at least one professional from your most recent employment...the higher up the "food chain" the better. Dust off your resume, you need to make sure to highlight your "wow" points. Your job is to get interviews in spite of the fact that they cannot contact the last employer. When, in the interview, they ask about the last employment, be honest but professional. An acute illness is not a reason for a company not to hire you...a chronic illness requiring intermittent hospitalization will make them cautious...so be careful how you represent this health history. It sounds like you did nothing within the scope of your practice to cause the termination, so you should be able to find other employment. Good luck.

p.s. plan that the previous employer will fight your un-employment when you file.