Terminated after 2 months

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Hello All,

I do not know if this is the right forum but i would like to share my story and maybe you can help me. I have been nurse for 4 years. I recently got an awesome job as a Care manager for 2 months. I was recently terminated. The supervisor meet with me in her office and said" I think your work ethic is excellent but I feel you are not the right cultural fit". My termination was effective immediately. I was then escorted to my desk and they gave me bags to pack up my things in front of everyone. So embarrassing. What is cultural fit?!?! When i asked her she could not explain. She told me to look at the memo she gave me two months ago and it stated nothing but the job description. I have never missed any deadlines or had complaints. I got along with all the co-workers. Can someone please help me out. I feel awful.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Unfortunately I think that the only one who can elaborate on why you were terminated is your former employer.

Did you have an exit interview with HR? Are you sure that you did not receive another email from your boss, other than the job description?

If I were you, I'd ask to meet with your former boss. In addition to asking for clarification of the "didn't fit the culture" statement, I would ask if she would be willing to write a letter of recommendation based upon your work ethic.

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(((LadyNikki)))

I'm so sorry!! roser13 gave you good advice. It very vague and not that professional. Good luck to you!

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Yes! The HR person was there and she gave me a package. I am eligible for unemployment and they are giving me severance pay. When i asked the HR person what "Not culturally fit" actually means. She could not give an answer. She just told me she doesn't know what happened but good luck to me. She gave me bags to pack up and i left.

As far as the e-mails I only had two describing my job description and what to expect . Originally they did not know what what my job would be like but wanted to work together to see how it turns out. Nothing about being "culturally fit" was there.

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Is it possible that even though you got along well with your colleagues, that they did not support you staying past probation?

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Originally they did not know what what my job would be like but wanted to work together to see how it turns out. Nothing about being "culturally fit" was there.

This should have sent up a huge red flag for you when you accepted the job. By not having a clearly defined job description right off the bat it allows for too much ambiguity. Thus, they are able to let you go without, it would seem, sufficient and quantifiable data to support your termination.

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If the now vacant position, is filled by someone with a psychology or social work background rather than a nursing background, then it seems they just used the term 'not a good cultural fit' to terminate you for legal reasons. It is possible that they changed their minds and do not want staff with a nursing background, but could not use their true reason as grounds for termination.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Something fishy here. Seems like a ripe area for an 'unlawful termination' lawsuit. Basically, it's really not permissible to fire anyone for violating things are not explicit in the job description/policy procedure, etc - or failure to meet standards or expectations that you had not been informed of at all.

Most organizations have a disciplinary process that must be followed unless terminating for 'cause'.

Crazy. Hope you can put this behind you and move on quickly. It's probably not worthwhile to pursue it legally unless you feel a moral imperative to do so.

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She used the term "cultural"? Yes. Wrongful termination case, but you most likely don't have the means or inclination to fight this in the legal system. The long term consequences would be more detrimental than if you just move on and find a new job.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

duplicate threads merged as per the Terms of Service

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
She used the term "cultural"? Yes. Wrongful termination case, but you most likely don't have the means or inclination to fight this in the legal system. The long term consequences would be more detrimental than if you just move on and find a new job.
Not necessarily. If she was on probation they can fire you for whatever they wish and really don't need to give a reason.

OP we cannot give legal advice so if you feel you were wrongfully terminated it would be best to speak to a lawyer or call the EEOC. If you were on probation they can do as they wish except for discrimination in accordance with the law. All work places have "cultures" that exist....whatever that may be for them it really has nothing to do with your genetic "culture" and not "fitting in".

Here is what I think happened. You accepted a position without a job description and had an agreement

Originally they did not know what what my job would be like but wanted to work together to see how it turns out.
This is a risky situation. First it is a new position.....one that they may discover they actually have no budget for.....many of these "positions" end in termination. I personally think your boss hired you without direct approval and was told to "fix it now!" which means...let you go. That they aren't fighting your unemployment is an admission of guilt in my book....however, if you haven't' had any other position in the last 12 months you might not be eligible for unemployment.....you will need to check with your state.

I am sorry ((HUGS))

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She used the term "cultural"? Yes. Wrongful termination case, but you most likely don't have the means or inclination to fight this in the legal system. The long term consequences would be more detrimental than if you just move on and find a new job.

I don't agree- sounds like the supervisor was referring the to culture of the workplace, not the OP's cultural heritage.

Organizational Culture: Corporate Culture in Organizations

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