Typical Discharge Procedure

• Your Supervisor and Human Resources representative meet with you and tell you that you are discharged (usually due to "company reorganization").
• The Company may give you a severance contract (you may have 21 days to accept it plus 7 days to change your mind).
• The Human Resources representative will explain the termination benefits.
• Often, you will be told to leave the company after the meeting.

Steps To Take

• Take notes at the discharge meeting.
• Ask "Why was I discharged?"
• Ask "Who will do my job?
• Ask "Who made the decision to fire me?"
• Ask about severance and benefits.
• Ask about "out-placement counseling".

Steps Not To Take

• Don't sign a severance/separation contract without having it reviewed by an attorney.
• Don't resign voluntarily.
• Don't say why you think you were fired.
• Don't "burn your bridges" by what you say or do.
• Don't drive until you have calmed down.

Timing

Do not delay having your potential employment claims reviewed by an administrative agency or by an employment attorney. There are numerous filing deadlines which should not be ignored or you may lose your employment law rights.

If Claiming Discrimination

• Consider contacting the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Consider contacting an employment attorney for an evaluation.

If You Have A Severance Contract

• Consider seeking better terms, additional severance, arbitration, out-placement counseling, mutual releases, etc.
• Consider contacting an employment attorney.

If You Have A Wage and/or Overtime Pay Claim

• Consider contacting Wage & Hour Division of the Connecticut. Department of Labor.
• Consider contacting an employment attorney.

If You Are A Union Member

Contact your union representative immediately.

Unemployment Compensation

Consider applying for Unemployment Compensation benefits.

Consider Seeing An Employment Attorney If You Want:

• an evaluation of your potential employment claims,
• a review of your severance/separation contract and/or employment contract,
• a review of what you could recover: lost back pay, lost benefits, reinstatement or front pay, punitive damages, emotional distress, etc.