Nothing can be more devastating than being told by your employer that they’ll have to let you go or they no longer need your services. As much as they can sugarcoat it, and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, getting sacked is no one’s regular cup of tea.
But it does happen, especially in California where employers may have the right to end the relationship without a specific reason. The best part is that getting sacked is not the end of the world. There’s a bright future and perhaps greener pastures ahead, but it all depends on how you handle the situation.
This having been said, let’s take a look at some steps you can take after being fired from your job in California to help get you back on your feet and move on.
1. Speak to your Manager: Find Out the Reason You Were Fired
For one reason or the other, your employer may find that your skills or performance are not at par with what the company needs at the moment. And besides severe matters such as gross misconduct, absconding duty, policy violations, and conflict of interest, things like acquisitions, layoffs, and structural changes can as well get you on the chopping board as an employee.
Speaking to your manager can be the best way to professionally find out what really led to the termination decision, and whether it was justly done. In some instances, your employer may also give you a written notice of termination, which may or may not have the specific reason/s for your dismissal. If your employer fails to provide a valid cause for your termination, in some cases, you may have valid grounds to pursue a wrongful termination case.
2. Understand and Protect Your Rights: Contact an Employment Lawyer
The State of California is well known for its very employee rights-centric laws in the US. There are many intricacies regarding labor laws, so if you were unjustly dismissed or think you have a case of wrongful termination, then it’s important to understand your legal rights and find ways to challenge your employer’s decision.
Consulting an experienced employment attorney, in this case, a wrongful termination lawyer in California, can help you determine whether filing a lawsuit is viable and what other measures may be necessary. They can also take you through the kind of damages you could potentially receive by initiating legal action against your former employer.
Additionally, an experienced lawyer might spot any loopholes the employer may have used to get around certain statutes – helping you refute claims made against you and ensuring that no one takes unfair advantage during the proceedings.
3. Consider Filing for Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits can provide much-needed financial support while you look for another job. Once your job loss has been registered with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), you will receive regular unemployment payment weekly, which can range from $40 to $450 depending on various factors.
However, you will need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria specified by the EDD when applying for unemployment benefits. For instance, you’ll need to prove that you’ve worked and earned wages in the last 18 months, and be physically able and available for work immediately.
Therefore, make sure to confirm that all the information about your former employer and employment period is up to date on their record, so that EDD can calculate adequate payments based on your salary history and other factors.
4. Develop a Job Search Strategy
Let’s face it, if you’re used to earning a salary, unemployment benefits can barely sustain your livelihood. This is especially considering that California ranks among the top most expensive states to live in in the U.S.
A strategic job search plan is essential for making headway in an effective and timely manner. Familiarize yourself with the market, be mindful of what your competitors are doing, and scrutinize industry trends carefully.
Above all else, take time to assess your goals and where you’re looking to place yourself within the greater ecosystem – the California employment market. Create a clear vision of where you’d like to land next ahead of spending time submitting applications.
The importance of networking after being let go cannot be understated either. Instead of submitting applications across endless job boards and lists, build relationships within invested environments such as support groups or private networks related to your field. Attend events when possible (or webinars & podcasts if open-air gatherings are off-limits).
This is also the best time to hit up past contacts who might know about any available or upcoming roles, rather than compounding online forms and sending them blindly, hoping something lands on an employer’s inbox amidst the sea of resumes vying for attention.
5. Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health during the Transition
Losing a job can sometimes be painful. And as if that’s not off-putting enough, the process of searching for a new job can be stressful and painstakingly demoralizing, especially if you got sacked. As such, it is important to take time to care for yourself mentally and physically during this period, so you don’t burn out or become overwhelmed by the situation.
This could mean taking some time off from job search to engage in physical activities such as jogging, hitting the gym, planning cookouts, and hikes outside with friends or family members. When you can, spending some time by yourself to meditate and clear your mindset regularly can be a great way to persevere through the tough times.
In addition, it pays to seek help if needed. Talking about what’s going on with friends and close loved ones allows healing. If need be, you can also get support from online mental health networks and hotlines surrounding career counseling services.
Losing a job isn’t easy, especially if you work in California where most labor laws seem to favor the employee. When your employer finds it fit to end their relationship with you, there are various ways to reduce the stress and frustration associated with the aftermath. With the above few steps in mind, your transition after being fired could be far much easier than you think.
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