not writing a statement? They said I was being “uncooperative.”

by Lindsay

(South NJ USA)

I live in NJ and worked as a store manager for a retailer that is close to filing for bankruptcy. After being there for 10 years, I had 5 weeks remaining. I was about to be laid off because my store was recently slated to close.

Last week, a company auditor came into the store to do a “check up” on store operations. She says she found a few questionable things. So, my district manager and she questioned me in the office for 45 minutes. I answered all of their questions, but they don’t believe me and have absolutely no proof that I did what they said I did. They wanted me to write a statement for them and I gently refused (I had done this once before and it backfired on me). I was suspended until they could speak to HR. My DL called me within the hour and terminated me for being “uncooperative.” I stayed as long as they asked, answered all of their questions, answered their phone calls, and was not hostile in any way. I even asked my DL and the HR manager what I could have done differently to be considered cooperative and neither could tell me (or, shall I say neither was willing to tell me). I have been advised to seek a lawyer, but for the time being I’m more concerned about getting unemployment. Thanks for your time. Your website has been very helpful.

Lindsay,

If I tell you, because I believe sincerely and know for a fact, that the devil is in the details how can I attempt to help you without knowing the same details you AND the employer knows?

If all you want to know is if I think you have an opportunity to persuade the UI dept. that this discharge was not for misconduct, but a convenient way to reduce the cost of a workforce reduction .. by way of creating an appearance of misconduct .. Yes, I do .. but that could change if I were to learn the details you are not sharing.

And the details .. I will only know if you schedule a consultation.