Can a company lay off an employee for lack of work when there isn't?

Question

I have worked as a superintendent and dedicated almost 12 years of my life to what I always thought was a great company. Sales of new homes have been very slow for a long time but I was working at a community that had slow but steady sales. It had been quite awhile since I had started another condo building and was getting concerned about my future. I have won many awards throughout my tenure and my record of achievement outstanding.There are meetings with the execs. every other week to determine what jobs can move forward to start. My next building to be built had been pushed out a number of times. At the last meeting it was announced that we would be able to start the next building on Sept.8. I called the trades to share the good news and went home to celebrate with my family. The next day I get to work and was laid off as well as my assistant. They claimed lack of work. How can this be? I do know that I was the highest paid at my position in the company. Can they do this? I'm 49 and think it's unfair. Help me understand please?

Answer 1

i guess a company can do what they want. dont feal bad im 23 and been at my job for 3 years as an cnc/laser operator. needless to say i got the news that my department is shuting down and possibly the whole plant. its only a matter of a month or so. i have a child on the way and dont know what to do myself. bills bills bills. house note, car note and more. all i can say is good luck and hope for the best. thats what im gona do.  the answer to your question is yes. they just fired 20 salary employs without notice here.

Answer 2

They can do almost anything they want. What they did may indeed  by unfair, stupid, illogical and contrary to what they told you, but not illegal. These things happen every day.  If business is slow, maybe they have more supt. than they need - so why not lay off the highest paid to save the most $ ??  Do all supt's have assistants? If not, it could have been a "two birds with one stone" scenario. No matter what they say and how much they try to be nice, when push comes to shove, profit is the No. 1 objective of a company. You could talk to an employment attorney, but I'm bettin' it won't help.

It's rough. Don't forget the formula  E  +   R   =   O

Any Event in your life plus your Reaction to it equals the Outcome. You can't change the event, so get over it, get busy finding a better job. Findng a job is a full time job.

Answer 3

Generally, an employer can terminate you for any reason or no reason at any time.  Given that you were the highest paid, it makes economic sense to get rid of you.  It's incredibly unfair but it's legal.