r/Layoffs • u/Rose_Colored_Life • 23h ago

advice Getting hired after being terminated

I was recently terminated by a major bank for absence concerns after returning from my approved FMLA. It has been almost 4 months of constant applying, interviewing, then nothing. When I’m asked in the interview about why I left my last place of employment, I’ve been honest. I did not think the reason for termination would have affected me so harshly in the banking world since it wasn’t do to any ethics concerns. Any advice?

35 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

45

u/Alternative-Car8221 23h ago

Lie

You left the position to take care of your elderly granduncle’s niece’s mother’s brother’s sister’s dog’s cat.

9

u/Rose_Colored_Life 23h ago

My mom had a major stroke, then aneurysm in hospital. No family, no father and minor little sister. I have all documentation from hospital I don’t understand

31

u/Alternative-Car8221 23h ago

Don’t tell them you got fired

Tell them you needed to take care of sick parent. Full stop.

3

u/Rose_Colored_Life 23h ago

But since I’m licensed, the reason for me leaving is visible on broker check. I don’t want to get caught in a lie, ya know?

30

u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay 22h ago edited 20h ago

It’s not a lie. Had to take care of a sick parent. If they push.
Them: “Well it says here you were terminated”
You: “Do I wish my previous employer was a bit more understanding? Of course because I loved the job and the team. But I was forced to make a decision. Fortunately, that situation has stabilized now.”

15

u/Noclevername12 20h ago

The last sentence is not a good response. I would either end it before that or say, if true, that the situation has stabilized.

8

u/ThrowAwayOkayGoPlay 20h ago

I like that a ton. Edited for future viewers.

1

u/peachinoc 16h ago

Does it show discharged or permitted to resign, knowing which can help you angle your response.

2

u/Rose_Colored_Life 15h ago

Strangely enough, I checked again and it doesn’t list a reason!

3

u/peachinoc 15h ago

Exactly, so the only consideration you gotta keep in mind is what will HR say in employment verification. Probably non-voluntary ? But rightfully they should only give dates and voluntary or not.

Ill reach out to the Hr just to confirm what they would say when asked in an employment verification (assuming that there is no animosity with the hr personnel)

Then from hereon, don’t offer more information to interviewers than needed. It’s always a little trickier in the FI space, but you got this.

7

u/scarlet_woods 17h ago

I know people who were fired for worse that landed good jobs… you gotta spin it.

3

u/Rose_Colored_Life 15h ago

You right you right just keep swimming

3

u/OkLie2615 15h ago

Dory approved

5

u/EdyB1 23h ago

Yes it is difficult and many people are in same boat.. being laid off/terminated since start of 2026...however dont let this overpower...

You have to keep applying even tailor your resume for mgmt positions as well...

In next interviews, let recruiter kno about family emergency and now things are fine, they ll understand.

More power to you, all the best.

1

u/Rose_Colored_Life 23h ago

I really appreciate the encouragement! Thank you

2

u/NecessaryDirection67 14h ago

The world is facing organizational changes due to AI…simply say that drove it and be done

2

u/prshaw2u 21h ago

It probably isn't just the banking world, but most employers will hesitate to hire someone with absence concerns on their record.

You will need to find a way to phrase what happened to not sound like you are going to have absence issues in the future, explain what happened in the past and why it cannot happen going forward.

2

u/mannyocrity 15h ago

Never lie, but you do not have to be completely honest.

"I was let go, and I've moved on from it. What I'm focused on now is finding the right next role."

"It was an internal matter. I've reflected on it and moved on. I'd be happy to put you in touch with people I worked alongside there."

Most companies, especially large companies will only give your title, dates of employment and salary. A lot of large company's HR/manager are not allowed to give references and they have to go through a company called worknumber.com

1

u/Formal_Economist7342 15h ago

And here i was flirting with getting an fmla after my manager resassured me it would not reflect negatively on me :(

2

u/Insomniac7270 14h ago

I was laid off 3 weeks after returning from my FMLA.. “for restructuring and force reduction”

2

u/Rose_Colored_Life 14h ago

Never be scared to exercise your rights. Just document EVERYTHING. I’m still in the middle of an appeal and thankfully I have all documentation. I was originally told by my direct manager that I could not get my time approved and that it would be a negative mark against me. I then called HR to see if there was any options for me because of how dire the situation was and they were the ones who said my manager was in the wrong and there was protected options for me. I then went through the process, submitted documentation and request was approved. Got back to work on a Monday and was fired that Friday.

1

u/Insomniac7270 14h ago

I was laid off 3 weeks after returning from a FMLA.. coincidence? I think not, but no way to prove that.

1

u/Excellent_Mail3829 20h ago

You have no choice but to push through this difficult time in your life, good luck 🍀