Terminated after 2 months

caliotter3 · Feb 5, 2015

When the supervisor used the term "cultural" in her termination notice, she opened the employer up to charges of discrimination. That is how lawsuits come about. Certainly there are people who make issues and find attorneys who will pursue. It is as easy to come up with fodder for a lawsuit scenario as it is to be apologetic of the employer's intentions with their use of the English language.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2015

The OP received a severance package and unemployment. It doesn't sound like a hateful place to work.

The severance was a gift. I'd just move on.

leslie.knope · Feb 5, 2015

thats horrible! best of luck to you in the future

allnurses Guide · Feb 5, 2015

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.

The only thing I might suggest is when the initial sting subsides, to re-run your 2 month experience there in your mind and try to see if any flags appear. Many times politics in the workplace run as an undercurrent that many people don't really have an antenna for. Some workplaces are actually very toxic, but it's passive aggressive.

As a new person, you want to do well and may not have noticed the odd conversation, comment or tone of voice that was more significant than you realized at the time. The inter-personal relationships within existing staff can also have a powerful effect on how you get into sync with the group (or not).

I'm absolutely not saying this is your fault at all because the only job I ever quit over workplace "culture" was just such an environment, and I tried everything I could to succeed before throwing in the towel. It's just another strategy that might help you understand what happened.

Lastly, you should not feel awful if they gave you severance pay and made sure they did this in a way that allowed you to file for unemployment! Wishing you all the best! :up:

danielle2000, MSN, RN · Feb 5, 2015

That is my first thought! Cultural fit? Sounds like a little discriminatory at best. That is why they gave your severance pay which, equates go away now do not make more of this!!!! Such cowards at least explain the reasoning!!!!!

LadyNikki · Feb 6, 2015

Thank you so much for your responses! At least I have some type of clarity based on your opinions. I was the only nurse on the team. There were other case managers with degrees in social work , psychology, mental health, etc. Since I was the person with more medical experience, they were going to give me clients with higher medical needs.

This was a new position for Care management at this company.They hired me because I already had Care management experience as a nurse.The Supervisors did not know what my job would be like. I was told it would develop over time and we would work together. I would of never thought it would end so suddenly like this.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

Thank you so much for your responses! At least I have some type of clarity based on your opinions. I was the only nurse on the team. There were other case managers with degrees in social work , psychology, mental health, etc. Since I was the person with more medical experience, they were going to give me clients with higher medical needs.
This was a new position for Care management at this company.They hired me because I already had Care management experience as a nurse.The Supervisors did not know what my job would be like. I was told it would develop over time and we would work together. I would of never thought it would end so suddenly like this.

((HUGS))

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

I really don't think you were terminated for personal reasons, I wonder if it is like Esme suggested, it was a new position and they discovered they did not have the budget, have you seen the position advertised since you were let go?

LadyNikki · Feb 6, 2015

I don't think they would advertise the position so early. It was very recent and I don't plan on checking either lol. I may not have been for personal reasons but they made it seem that way by saying " not the right cultural fit". The least they could do was explain to me what I did wrong! I guess they had to say something to get me out of there like someone suggested on here.

I also asked my supervisor if I can get a letter of recommendation for my work ethic. I did not get a response from her but HR instead. They simply stated " All reference request must go through HR. Also please note it company policy to verify dates if employment,position held and salary only".

Well if anything it is lesson learned. I will not accept a "new position" again.

JimJ · Feb 6, 2015

My last position - and the one that more or less convinced me that the corporate life was for the birds - was a "new position". Which was great, until my boss moved to Florida and the new COO didn't like that he inherited me.

Laid off two months later, no explanation given, none required. Not providing character references is HR SOP.

If you're in a RtW state, there's essentially nothing you can do. Chalk it up to them being weasels and know the signs for your next interview.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

I had a friend that took a new job when she moved to another state and they fired her. In that case it was weight discrimination as people had made negative and false comments to her about her weight. She actually did get a lawyer and was able to get a settlement from them and in the end found a better job and has been successfully working in the case management field to this day!

I was impressed that she had the guts to take them on. I don't think I would have the courage to do that if I were in her shoes. Also as I've gotten older I've become more conservative and less inclined to change positions especially with the right to work culture where people are fired for any reason or no reason and unless you are in a federally protected class you have no recourse. If I do switch jobs I will make sure I have a large emergency fund in case there are any problems. So far I'm making good progress but I would want at least a years worth of money before I make a job change.

If you fall into a federally protected class you could consider contacting the EEOC or getting a lawyer. I didn't even know weight discrimination could be fought legally and won.

I wish you success and hope you find an even better position!

dream'n, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

What a BS reason for termination, very unprofessional. Don't let it get you down. Your termination could of been for any of a million reasons, most that have nothing to do with you. Maybe the boss' sister needs a job, maybe they realized they couldn't afford the position, maybe some idiot didn't like your makeup/clothes. Who knows why they did what they did. Just know that you did such a good job they couldn't find any valid reason to fire you, so they had to come up with the BS reason of not fitting the culture.