\u00a0Getting fired from your job can be emotionally devastating. A termination forces you to address immediate, often stressful concerns\u2014like finding a new source of income and securing continuing health coverage. But because our jobs also touch on everything from our personal identities to our day-to-day friendships, a sudden end to employment can lead us to question even our core sense of self.<\/p>\n
That said, getting fired is also an extremely common experience. Many others have walked this path before you\u2014and survived and thrived. Here are 8 steps demonstrating what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you haven\u2019t been fired yet but have a sense the end is near, take action now\u2014whether it\u2019s to forestall a termination or to ready yourself for departure.<\/p>\n
Should you want to keep your job, don\u2019t ignore the warning signs.\u00a0The New York Times<\/a>\u00a0recommends you confront your anxieties head on by asking your boss how you could better fulfill your role in the organization\u2014then putting that feedback into action.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d rather explore new opportunities or feel your current employment relationship is unsalvageable, make preparations to leave. Back up all the files you need, copy the contact information of people you want to keep in touch with, and wipe your personal information off your work computer and phone. Read over your employee handbook and find out local and state laws concerning terminations so you know what you\u2019re entitled to and what to expect. Get on top of your healthcare appointments, and do your best to save up an emergency fund of three to six months to tide you over until you land. That way, you’ll have be prepared and know what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as you\u2019re fired, ask why. Although companies aren\u2019t required to give you a reason if your employment was at-will, you\u2019ll likely receive a response should you inquire. Knowing the reason for the termination will help give closure to the experience and better enable you to learn from it.<\/p>\n If you want to keep your job, you could try asking for an appeal or a chance to be put on probation while working to improve your performance. But if your company says no, let it go without arguing your case too much.<\/p>\n You could also ask if you can resign instead of getting fired. This might make it easier to talk about your employment history with future job interviewees. If you\u2019re considering this route, keep in mind resigning makes it nearly impossible to get unemployment benefits; it also makes it tougher to win a wrongful termination lawsuit. That said, it\u2019s the rare termination case that requires legal action, and many state laws make it difficult to receive unemployment benefits if you\u2019re fired for cause anyway\u2014so you may not be losing anything by asking your company for a more neutral reason for separation. If unemployment benefits are a primary concern for you, you have the option to instead ask the company not to contest your claims for unemployment.<\/p>\n Other practical questions to ask include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You might also benefit by asking your company to serve as a neutral, or even positive, reference that doesn\u2019t mention your getting fired. Even if you\u2019ve been fired for cause, you have a good chance of getting a yes to this request. As\u00a0Reader\u2019s Digest<\/a>\u00a0notes, \u201cThese days, employers are so worried about possible legal issues that can result from giving a poor reference that you\u2019ll find they\u2019re generally very limited on detail.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you get fired for cause, you may not be offered a severance package. But in some cases, your company might be willing to offer you benefits in return for your signing an employee separation agreement.<\/p>\n An employee separation agreement generally spells out what severance benefits you\u2019ll receive, if any, and states that you waive your right to sue for wrongful termination or additional severance benefits. Don\u2019t feel pressured to sign this document right away.\u00a0Forbes advises<\/a>\u00a0not signing at the point of termination, so that you have time to think it over, negotiate, and perhaps seek help from an employment attorney. Getting outside counsel can give you a clearer sense of what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n A standard severance package includes severance pay\u2014usually tied to the seniority of your position and the length of your service. Your package may also include extended health and life insurance benefits, stock options, and other perks specific to your company or position such as employer-sponsored daycare or subsidized gym memberships.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unless you work in human resources, you likely don\u2019t know what outplacement means<\/a>, even if you\u2019ve received the service in the past. Basically, outplacement is career transition assistance provided by a company to departing employees to help them land new jobs quickly and easily.<\/p>\n Especially in the case where you haven’t been on the job market for a while, you may not have a clear sense of what to do if you get fired in terms of finding a new job. In these situations, outplacement can provide much-needed support. The quality of outplacement programs vary widely, but a good one usually includes personalized career coaching, resume reviews to improve your personal marketing materials, and other career management tools.<\/p>\n An experienced career coach can help you with every step outlined in this article, including helping you craft a compelling response for questions you might get during job interviews regarding the reasons for your termination. It\u2019s an invaluable service for exiting employees, which is why many companies do offer outplacement services\u2014but often reserve them for executive or senior-level employees. If you ask for it too, your company might be willing to extend the service to you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting fired can be a real personal blow in the moment, but it doesn\u2019t have to result in a lifetime of acrimony and bitter feelings against your former company. During and after the termination meeting, make sure to keep it professional\u2014both in person and on social media. Keep in mind that your former employers will serve as future references, formally and by word of mouth.<\/p>\n Do your best to help with the transition at your former company if you\u2019re asked and have the time to do so. If asked for an exit interview, go ahead and agree to do it. Of course, should spending time helping your former employer create undue emotional stress or personal hardship, you should put yourself first and decline politely, stating that your current job search requires your focus. In determining what to do if you get fired, always put your needs first, not your former company’s.<\/p>\n If you had allies at your company, reach out to them and retain them as friends and key work references.\u00a0U.S. News & World Report<\/a>\u00a0has a helpful tip for managing this: \u201cA good way to mitigate awkwardness with former co-workers who might be unsure how to handle your firing: Tell them what you liked about working with them and why they are good at what they do. People will be impressed by your classiness.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you suspect you were wrongfully terminated, you may want to pursue legal action. Reasons for wrongful termination include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n To determine if your firing was a case of wrongful termination, you can learn more about the federal and state laws from the U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor department and file a claim directly, or consult an employment attorney. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on what to do if you get fired for unjust reasons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Check with your state unemployment office to see if you\u2019re eligible for unemployment benefits, and apply for them as soon as possible if you are. In terms of what to do if you get fired, filing for unemployment benefits should be near the top of your to-do list.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to\u00a0Forbes<\/a>, \u201cyou generally have three options for your 401(k) or other nest egg: you can leave it be (if the balance is $5,000 or more), roll it into a new employer\u2019s plan (if allowed), or roll it into an IRA.\u201d Find out what your personal options are\u2014with the help of a financial advisor, if necessary\u2014and make the best decision for your future.<\/p>\n __<\/p>\n Now you know what to do if you get fired. As you take these steps, don\u2019t take the experience as a sign that you\u2019re uniquely unemployable or incompetent, even if you might feel that way in the moment. Remember,\u00a0Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Jobs have all been fired<\/a>\u00a0from their jobs, as have many other successful people. You too can take your firing into stride and use it as an opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n INTOO outplacement offers career transition services to support people in their transition to new jobs. Learn more <\/a>about our outplacement program, and ask your company to offer\u00a0outplacement services as part of its employee benefits package.<\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0Getting fired from your job can be emotionally devastating. A termination forces you to address immediate, often stressful concerns\u2014like finding a new source of income and securing continuing health coverage. But because our jobs also touch on everything from our personal identities to our day-to-day friendships, a sudden end to employment can lead us to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" <\/p>\n Getting fired from your job can be emotionally devastating. A termination forces you to address immediate, often stressful concerns\u2014like finding a new source of income and securing continuing health coverage. But because our jobs also touch on everything from our personal identities to our day-to-day friendships, a sudden end to employment can lead us to question even our core sense of self.<\/p>\n\n That said, getting fired is also an extremely common experience. Many others have walked this path before you\u2014and survived and thrived. Here are 8 steps demonstrating what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n If you haven\u2019t been fired yet but have a sense the end is near, take action now\u2014whether it\u2019s to forestall a termination or to ready yourself for departure.<\/p>\n\n Should you want to keep your job, don\u2019t ignore the warning signs.\u00a0The New York Times<\/a>\u00a0recommends you confront your anxieties head on by asking your boss how you could better fulfill your role in the organization\u2014then putting that feedback into action.<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019d rather explore new opportunities or feel your current employment relationship is unsalvageable, make preparations to leave. Back up all the files you need, copy the contact information of people you want to keep in touch with, and wipe your personal information off your work computer and phone. Read over your employee handbook and find out local and state laws concerning terminations so you know what you\u2019re entitled to and what to expect. Get on top of your healthcare appointments, and do your best to save up an emergency fund of three to six months to tide you over until you land. That way, you'll have be prepared and know what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n As soon as you\u2019re fired, ask why. Although companies aren\u2019t required to give you a reason if your employment was at-will, you\u2019ll likely receive a response should you inquire. Knowing the reason for the termination will help give closure to the experience and better enable you to learn from it.<\/p>\n\n If you want to keep your job, you could try asking for an appeal or a chance to be put on probation while working to improve your performance. But if your company says no, let it go without arguing your case too much.<\/p>\n\n You could also ask if you can resign instead of getting fired. This might make it easier to talk about your employment history with future job interviewees. If you\u2019re considering this route, keep in mind resigning makes it nearly impossible to get unemployment benefits; it also makes it tougher to win a wrongful termination lawsuit. That said, it\u2019s the rare termination case that requires legal action, and many state laws make it difficult to receive unemployment benefits if you\u2019re fired for cause anyway\u2014so you may not be losing anything by asking your company for a more neutral reason for separation. If unemployment benefits are a primary concern for you, you have the option to instead ask the company not to contest your claims for unemployment.<\/p>\n\n Other practical questions to ask include:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n You might also benefit by asking your company to serve as a neutral, or even positive, reference that doesn\u2019t mention your getting fired. Even if you\u2019ve been fired for cause, you have a good chance of getting a yes to this request. As\u00a0Reader\u2019s Digest<\/a>\u00a0notes, \u201cThese days, employers are so worried about possible legal issues that can result from giving a poor reference that you\u2019ll find they\u2019re generally very limited on detail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n If you get fired for cause, you may not be offered a severance package. But in some cases, your company might be willing to offer you benefits in return for your signing an employee separation agreement.<\/p>\n\n An employee separation agreement generally spells out what severance benefits you\u2019ll receive, if any, and states that you waive your right to sue for wrongful termination or additional severance benefits. Don\u2019t feel pressured to sign this document right away.\u00a0Forbes advises<\/a>\u00a0not signing at the point of termination, so that you have time to think it over, negotiate, and perhaps seek help from an employment attorney. Getting outside counsel can give you a clearer sense of what to do if you get fired.<\/p>\n\n A standard severance package includes severance pay\u2014usually tied to the seniority of your position and the length of your service. Your package may also include extended health and life insurance benefits, stock options, and other perks specific to your company or position such as employer-sponsored daycare or subsidized gym memberships.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n Unless you work in human resources, you likely don\u2019t know what outplacement means<\/a>, even if you\u2019ve received the service in the past. Basically, outplacement is career transition assistance provided by a company to departing employees to help them land new jobs quickly and easily.<\/p>\n\n Especially in the case where you haven't been on the job market for a while, you may not have a clear sense of what to do if you get fired in terms of finding a new job. In these situations, outplacement can provide much-needed support. The quality of outplacement programs vary widely, but a good one usually includes personalized career coaching, resume reviews to improve your personal marketing materials, and other career management tools.<\/p>\n\n An experienced career coach can help you with every step outlined in this article, including helping you craft a compelling response for questions you might get during job interviews regarding the reasons for your termination. It\u2019s an invaluable service for exiting employees, which is why many companies do offer outplacement services\u2014but often reserve them for executive or senior-level employees. If you ask for it too, your company might be willing to extend the service to you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n Getting fired can be a real personal blow in the moment, but it doesn\u2019t have to result in a lifetime of acrimony and bitter feelings against your former company. During and after the termination meeting, make sure to keep it professional\u2014both in person and on social media. Keep in mind that your former employers will serve as future references, formally and by word of mouth.<\/p>\n\n Do your best to help with the transition at your former company if you\u2019re asked and have the time to do so. If asked for an exit interview, go ahead and agree to do it. Of course, should spending time helping your former employer create undue emotional stress or personal hardship, you should put yourself first and decline politely, stating that your current job search requires your focus. In determining what to do if you get fired, always put your needs first, not your former company's.<\/p>\n\n If you had allies at your company, reach out to them and retain them as friends and key work references.\u00a0U.S. News & World Report<\/a>\u00a0has a helpful tip for managing this: \u201cA good way to mitigate awkwardness with former co-workers who might be unsure how to handle your firing: Tell them what you liked about working with them and why they are good at what they do. People will be impressed by your classiness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n If you suspect you were wrongfully terminated, you may want to pursue legal action. Reasons for wrongful termination include:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n To determine if your firing was a case of wrongful termination, you can learn more about the federal and state laws from the U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor department and file a claim directly, or consult an employment attorney. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on what to do if you get fired for unjust reasons.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n Check with your state unemployment office to see if you\u2019re eligible for unemployment benefits, and apply for them as soon as possible if you are. In terms of what to do if you get fired, filing for unemployment benefits should be near the top of your to-do list.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n According to\u00a0Forbes<\/a>, \u201cyou generally have three options for your 401(k) or other nest egg: you can leave it be (if the balance is $5,000 or more), roll it into a new employer\u2019s plan (if allowed), or roll it into an IRA.\u201d Find out what your personal options are\u2014with the help of a financial advisor, if necessary\u2014and make the best decision for your future.<\/p>\n\n __<\/p>\n\n Now you know what to do if you get fired. As you take these steps, don\u2019t take the experience as a sign that you\u2019re uniquely unemployable or incompetent, even if you might feel that way in the moment. Remember,\u00a0Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Jobs have all been fired<\/a>\u00a0from their jobs, as have many other successful people. You too can take your firing into stride and use it as an opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Intoo outplacement offers career transition services to support people in their transition to new jobs.\u00a0Learn more<\/a>about our outplacement program, and ask your company to offer\u00a0outplacement services as part of its employee benefits package<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[67,19],"tags":[142,76,63,117,143],"class_list":["post-6298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-benefits","category-outplacement","tag-employer-benefits","tag-layoffs","tag-outplacement","tag-reduction-in-force","tag-terminations"],"yoast_head":"\n2. Ask questions.<\/h2>\n
\n
3. Negotiate your severance package.<\/h2>\n
4. Ask for outplacement services.<\/h2>\n
5. Leave on a positive note.<\/h2>\n
6. Consider hiring an employment attorney.<\/h2>\n
\n
7. File for unemployment services.<\/h2>\n
8. Made decisions about your retirement savings.<\/h2>\n
1. Be prepared.<\/h2>\n\n
2. Ask questions.<\/h2>\n\n
\n
3. Negotiate your severance package.<\/h2>\n\n
4. Ask for outplacement services.<\/h2>\n\n
5. Leave on a positive note.<\/h2>\n\n
6. Consider hiring an employment attorney.<\/h2>\n\n
\n
7. File for unemployment services.<\/h2>\n\n
8. Made decisions about your retirement savings.<\/h2>\n\n