How commen is it for an employer to fire you just before your benefits kick in ?

Question

They eliminated my department (i was the only one in that department) a week before I was suposto get benefits, they pay half, than put me in another position and hadme fill out an entire new application thus my start date went from 4/1 to 6/24. Thats just morally wrong !

Answer 1

It happens.. I don't know how common, but when you signed your application to work there, it was one of the many disclaimers and clauses on those forms.  Believe me, it was in there.  

It's the probationary period clause that allows them to do that.

For the most part, there's nothing you can do legally.

Answer 2

In general, I'd suspect it wouldn't be a common company policy to terminate new hires before the benefits kick in.  The process of hiring/recruiting/training employees costs employers a good chunk of money, and it would be counterproductive to waste those expenses just because a person became ineligible for benefits.

Of course, the question you asked about "firing employees" doesn't really apply in your situation - your position and department were eliminated.  That's a separate business decision entirely.

And, of course, you aren't obligated to accept the new position at half your previous rate of pay - you always have the choice to find something else if your new position is not acceptable to you.

It does sound unusual that they are changing your start date just because of the new position though.  You still had the same start date with the company.  (Unless your new position is with a separate division which does business as a different entity?)

Answer 3

thats really crappy especially if you are still working for the same company, it should not matter what department you are in, its the company itself, i would ask them to see there policy handbook and file a complaint with human resources, if that does not do anything for you i would contact the better business beauro (sp)

Answer 4

Well, pretty common.  

But don't take it personally, because they got rid of the whole department.  Hey, it happens.

Answer 5

they shouldn;t be changing the start date - talk to HR or the President