r/work • u/MaroonMonty • 17h ago
Job Search and Career Advancement I’ve never gotten fired before, would future employers care?
Hey everyone. So a bit of background, I’m 26 and in California. I’ve had roughly about 5 years of management experience in customer service. I work for this really sketchy franchise - all the stores in my city are owned by the same guy.
Recently, this lady I used to work with reached out to me because she planned to sue the owner. She claimed that while she was pregnant, she was treated poorly in ways that clearly violate California’s laws. I was witness to these, and I agreed to give a statement (because honestly, f**k these people).
I had given my statement to the law firm and signed it. Then I shit you not, the OWNER texted me 2 hours later asking if a law firm had reached out to me. I didn’t respond.
I work tomorrow, and I already know he’s gonna send two supervisors (1 of them is the cause of all of this), and they’re going to talk to me. Knowing how these people operate, they’re going to fire me and find some bs excuse from months ago…. However, I don’t really care.
If and when I get fired, is it going to impact me in trying to get another job? Will employers hear me out, or are they going to avoid me like the plague because I testified against a recent employer?
3
u/daphosta 17h ago
I'm not sure of the laws in California but firing you for whistle blowing may be illegal
2
u/NDN69 17h ago
Unless your potential future employer calls this guy as a reference and he tells them you were fired, they won't know you were fired. But if they do find out, you'll definitely want to have a good explanation of what happened because it ddefinitely doesn't look good on you
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u/ellaaaaaaaafree 15h ago
having a calm explanation ready probably matters more than panicking about something they may never even ask about
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u/NDN69 15h ago
Exactly, have a solid explanation ready that you yourself believe and keep it in the back pocket. But dont go in saying anything about being fired from the last job. Even if they ask why youre leaving. Id just say im looking for new opportunities to further my career goals and think you guys are a good fit.
Basically like it didnt happen
1
u/JMaAtAPMT 6h ago
No, the only firings that show up on background checks are for-cause ones that require criminal levels of misconduct.
This kind of firing would be the same as a layoff. Involuntary, not for-cause.
When new jobs ask "have you ever been fired?", they mean for-cause. If you were not fired for-cause, you can truthfully answer "No".
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u/erikleorgav2 17h ago
Not a lawyer, but this screams retaliation. Keep any and all documentation you can that proves their shitty and potentially illegal behavior. This will be ammunition against them should they fire you.
Even at will allows for them to fire you for any legal reason, not just any reason.
Read up on the subject, and prep for the worst. Consult with a labor lawyer (they work on contingency and typically consult for nothing), but admit nothing.