on a deadline here, plz help: dismissed = fired or laid off?

[russellmz00]

hey, i am filling out a job app and i want to drop it off tomorrow. it asks have i ever been "dismissed from any employment?"

does that include laid off? thanks.

[Rob_Merritt]

Yes and you would explain that in your follow up.

[triggercut]

No. "Dismissed" on a job application carries with it the implication of "dismissed for cause". In other words, "fired for a reason".

Being laid off is not being dismissed for cause in most cases. Leave it off.

[russellmz00]

two equal and opposing responses!?

/vader NoOOoOOOoOoOOOOOOOOOooo

:shock: :? :?: :?: :?: :?

just to be safe, i'll add the dismissed for being laid off...maybe...

[nijimeijer]

If you're in doubt, I would just go ahead and include. It probably won't hurt a thing, and at least you'll know that you made full disclosure.

[Jack Black]

Dismissed includes lay offs.

If it was only a firing it would say Termination or Termination of Employment.

Any reason for leaving work on a application/resume you should be ready and openly discuss frankly with your potential employer. It's usually not the reason you give them, but how you explain it and what the focus of conversation is that is a real indicator.

I've hired plenty of people from such discussions. It really tells you what kind of person they are, their motivation, goals, and accountability levels they may lack or be a talent for a possible future position.

[Dirt]

Don't fill it in. Even if they called your former employer, all they can tell them is that you were 'terminated', they can't give cause. 'Course, that could be a California law.

[Jack Black]

Even if they called your former employer, all they can tell them is that you were 'terminated', they can't give cause. 'Course, that could be a California law.

This is purely dependant on the state and reasoning for dismissal. Anything having to do with a criminal act has to be disclosed.

[Rob Beschizza]

Don't fill it in. Even if they called your former employer, all they can tell them is that you were 'terminated', they can't give cause. 'Course, that could be a California law.

HR people know how to communicate the facts, though. In real life, you don't ask if someone was fired, or the circumstances under which they left. You ask "Would Mr. X be eligible for re-employment?" and the reply is "We are not currently hiring new staff."

[JeffL]

yeah, the lawyers have made life difficult even when you want to give someone a good reference. The last couple of companies I've worked for have a policy that forbids you from giving an official reference for a former employee other than confirming that he/she worked here and in what functions, etc. The reason: companies suing the former employer of someone they hired on that employer's positive reference, then that person not working out at the new company. I had a call yesterday from a placement company for a guy who worked for me and was very good, but he needed to relocate for family reasons. I told the lady on the phone that I could not give a formal recommendation due to company policy, that otherwise I could tell her that he was a superb employee who was of high integrity and work ethics, that everyone loved working with him, that he was extremely proactive and technically skilled in his area, etc - no, sorry, I'm not allowed due to our company policy to tell you all of that. ;)

[Kraaze]

I agree with Jeff that the lawyers have made this tricky but I think the trickyness is a very good thing and I'm glad companies are worried. I've worked for small companies who take it as a personal affront when somebody leaves (even for higher pay, promotions, or family reasons). They then smear that person every time they are contacted for a reference. Crap like this can seriously harm the career of good people.

Employers already have too much power in the employer/employee relationship. They need a little legal fear to keep them from becoming complete tyrants.