Exceptions to Employment at Will

Exceptions to Employment at WillExceptions to Employment at WillCan employers fire someone without a good reason? The employment at will doctrine allows employers toterminate some employees without having to give a reason. Most U.S. workers are covered under the provisions ofemployment at will, meaning that they can be discharged for any reason or no reason at all without cause ornotice, as the employer sees fit. Employment at will also means that employers can change the terms of employment unless employees are covered by any of the exceptions referenced below. These exceptions to employment at will provide legal protections for workers who are covered by state and federal law, collective bargaining agreements, contracts, public policy, and other circumstances and situations where employee rights are protected. If youre concerned about havingyouremployment terminated, its a good idea to determine whether any of these exceptions apply. What Employers Can Do Under Employment at W ill Some of the things that employers can do under employment at will include terminating employment, reducing wages, changing employee-benefits coverage, limiting hours worked or changing an employees job content and work schedule. Having formal job descriptions does not restrict employers from assigning duties not incorporated into job descriptions or from changing an individuals work responsibilities. Exceptions to Employment at Will Not all employees or all situations are subject to the provisions of employment at will. Often, when you accept a job offer, your agreement will state whether youre an employee-at-will, or covered under another type of contract. The job offer letter you receive (or the company employee handbook) may stipulate that youmustacknowledge that you are employed at will. The following are circumstances where employment at will may not apply Collective Bargaining AgreementsEmployees covered by union or association agreements often have contractual provis ions that stipulate when and how an employee can be fired. For example, the agreement may state that employees may only havetheiremploymentterminated for cause. Unions usually have a well-defined appeals process as arecourse for members who believe that they have been wrongly discharged. Company PolicyCompany policy may detail when and how employment can be terminated, and whether warnings need to be provided to employees at risk of termination. In most cases, theemployer will follow the guidelines established in the policy when terminating employees. Individual Employment ContractsWorkers in some industries and at some organizations haveemployment contractsthat outline the terms of employment and conditions for discharge. The employer must follow the terms of the agreement andmay otherwisebe subject to awrongful termination action. Public PolicyMost states recognize that certain public policy guidelines limit the exercise of employment at will by employers. For example, employers a re prohibited from firing employees who have filed claims forworkers compensation, workers who have reported legal transgressions by their employer,or employees who refuse to violate laws as they carry out their duties. Public policy guidelines also protect workers engaging in acts that are in the public interest, such as serving in the military reserve or on a jury. Statutory Protections for Employees Employees cannot be fired for discriminatory reasons. State and federal laws protect employees from beingdiscriminated against in hiring or firing. Categories of protection include race, national origin, gender, age, religion, pregnancy, family status, veteran status, disability, ethnicity and sexual orientation (in some states). Well-defined company policies on terminationclearly outlined in employment manuals, provide protection for some employees. Verbal assertions by management that employees will not be fired without just cause may also hold up in a few instances, though thes e are often hard to prove. Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing Exception Eleven states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, Montana, Utah,and Wyoming)consider exceptions to employment at will based on the broad principles of good faith and just cause. Employees in these states can put forward lawsuits if they believe that their termination was unjust. Some courts have interpreted this to mean that terminations must be for just cause and cant be made in bad faith or motivated by maliceas per theBureau of Labor Statistics. Many Employers Are Still Influenced by the Opinion of Employees Even when employers might legally be permitted to exercise employment at will, many organizations will provide recourse to employees who believe that they have been treated unjustly.It only makes sense employers who develop a reputation for treating employees unfairly will have difficulty attracting and retaining top performers. Not sure how thismay impact your circumstances? Consult company policy and contact your human resources department if you believe the terms of your employment have been unfairly altered. Its in the best interests of your employer to maintain a good relationship with you, even if their requirements have evolvedfrom theoriginaltermsofyour employment. Have a Question? Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions abouttermination from employment, including reasons for getting fired,employee rightswhen youremployment has been terminated,collecting unemployment,wrongful termination, saying goodbye to co-workers and more. If youve recently hadyouremployment terminated and have concerns about the process or what happens next, this is the place to look. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.

Marketing Your Skills for a Job Outside Your Traditional Career Path

Marketing Your Skills for a Job Outside Your Traditional Career Path Marketing Your Skills for a Job Outside Your Traditional Career Path When you started college, you probably had a specific career path in mind, and perhaps youve followed your plans to the letter.However, in todays fluidbusiness environment, many job seekers are discovering their career skills are transferable to settings they never envisioned. Making such a major careerpivot can be both challenging and exciting, and if you understand how to market yourself for the job you want, youll increase your odds ofsuccessfully traveling a nontraditional career path.Embracing Unexpected RolesAs an example of aprofession experiencing this schriftart of role expansion, lets look at social work. There is a growing market for nontraditional or corporate social workersbecause the professional skill sets of social workers can be assets to most businesses.For example, when Pan American Bankdecided to create a financial literacy pr ogram for children and adults in the community, the organization recruited two social work interns to lead the way. After the interns graduated from school, they joined the bank as part-time community outreach coordinators.If youre interested in finding a nontraditional job for your profession, using the right search terms can help. For example,a recent postfrom the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program offers some search terms social workers might consider usingwhen hunting for nontraditional career opportunities- Corporate social worker- Corporate social responsibility- Cmployee assistance programUsing such targeted search terms,a social worker could find jobs like- Employee assistance program regional manager with United Airlines- Community outreach and corporate philanthropy manager with Twitter- Equal employment and alternative dispute resolution manager with the US Treasury Department. Learning to Sell Your SkillsYou may find the thought of steppin g into unfamiliar professional territory quite intimidating, especially if youre competing with others who have mora experience or education in the field. This is why its important to identify the skills you have that employers need and learn how to sell them.For example,USCs DSW program recommends that social workers who want to work in the business world emphasize the following skillsCollaboration the patience and vision to bring people together with opposing viewpoints, build connections, resolve conflict, and foster healthy relationships.Community Organizing the ability to find commonalities around goals and identify paths to achieve those goals among groups of people.Facilitation the skill to improve engagement among project stakeholders and enhance each employees connection to the overall mission and goals of the organization. Marketing Yourself for the Job You Want For any new graduate, knowing how to market yourself for the job you want is key. A few critical components of y our self-marketing includeInternship Experience While the setting of your internship is important, being able to articulate how an employer could benefit from your internship experiences and accomplishments is even more valuable.Cover Letters and Resumes Make sure these essential documents are up to date and emphasize the experience and skills mostrelevantto the job for which youre applying.Networking Take advantage of every opportunity to make connections with professors, professionals, classmates, and coworkers in your field, since they may be great resources for future employment.Informational Interviews Ask potential employers for informational interviews with people in the organization to expand your network and explore whether the job will be a good fit.Making a career change within your field or outside it can be exciting and productive. By understanding what a potential employer needs,how your unique skill set fits the bill, and how to market yourself, you may be able to emb race career opportunities you never thought possible.Colleen ODay is a digital PR manager for 2U Inc. Find her on TwitterColleenMODay.

15 Stress Relievers for Resume and Cover Letter Writing

15 Stress Relievers for Resume and Cover Letter Writing15 Stress Relievers for Resume and Cover Letter Writing15 Stress Relievers for Resume and Cover Letter WritingIn a recent poll, we asked readers which was most stressful to think aboutA) Writing your willB) Writing your resume cover letterC) Doing your taxesOut of 885 votes, 76% of you said that writing your resume and cover letter is the most stressful. And while we cant help you draft your will or do your taxes, we can make your job search experience a little less nerve-racking.How? I compiled a list of our most stress-relieving blog posts on the topics. They provide solutions to puzzling questions and issues that you might face while writing your resumes and cover letters. Give them a read and let me know if they help you feel mora confident about your job search.ResumesCheat Your Way to a Better Professional Summary3 Quick Tips to Seem Younger on Your ResumeI Sent My Resume with a Typo Should I Send a New One?10 Old-School R esume Rules That Dont Apply TodayWriting a Resume When You Havent Worked for YearsCreate an Attractive Resume Employers Will NoticeWriting a Resume When You Have No ExperienceResume Objective or Summary You Need One, but Which?The Resume Mistake Even Savvy Job Seekers MakePlain Text Resumes How to Make Them a Little Less UglyCover LettersWrite a Targeted Cover Letter for Every JobSurvey Says No Salary Requirements in Cover LetterHow to Email Your Cover Letter the Right Way6 Reasons You Wont Get Hired Without a Cover Letter5 Ways to Screw Up Your Cover Letter Greeting

5 ways to make new friends as an adult

5 ways to make new friends as an adult5 ways to make new friends as an adultOnce were out of our twenties, opportunities to meet new people start to get thin on the ground. Caught up in work, family and all sorts of responsibilities, were suddenly too busy to find ourselves randomly running into new people who could enrich our social networks and become firm friends.The International Authority for Professional Coaching Mentoring isthe leading accreditation authority for professional coaches. Here, one of their accredited coaches, Iulia Dobre-Trifan, offers up 5 top tips on how to find and keep new friends even when youre an adult1. Find a home on social mediaIt doesnt matter if youre an introvert or an extrovert, if youre popular or shy there is a social media channel to suit your personality, full of like-minded people who came at the world in a similar way. So find out where your people skipiste out online and start building an authentic presence there, one thatll help them see yo u as a kindred spirit.2. Practice your values, and regularlyShared values bring us close to our friends and keep our friendships strong. So be true to your values and invest your time and energy in honoring them. Practice your hobbies, keep up your favorite sports routine, or tap into the cultural avenues of your choosing, and youll start to tune in with the other regulars. And thats where youll find your future friends.3. Offer your authentic appreciationWhenever you see someone achieving something impressive or making progress towards a goal you genuinely appreciate, take the opportunity to show your appreciation. Whether theyre a new person, a relative, a colleague, an acquaintance, it doesnt matter - if theyre getting involved in something that you find beautiful and worthy, offering them your sincere recognition can open up the way for a new friendship.4. Look at your past from a fresh perspectiveWe sometimes run into people we drifted away from, leid because we didnt like them , but because thats what happens as our lives diverge. Dont pass up the opportunity to rediscover an old friendship if you run into someone you remember fondly, put the effort into a proper catch-up and find out what you still share today. You might be surprised how well you get on5. Travel a lotWere lucky to live at a time when traveling is easier than ever before. Its also a delightful way for you to make new friends, as well as new ideas and opportunities from different cultures and ways of living. It could be the hosts you encounter, or other tourists, or perhaps the people you travel with, but exploring nature and civilization all over this wonderful planet can help you make some of the best friends youll ever have.This article was originally published on Your Coffee Break.

How to Deal With Unexpected Changes in Life - The Muse

How to Deal With Unexpected Changes in Life - The MuseHow to Deal With Unexpected Changes in Life Each night before climbing into bed, I set my alarm for the very saatkorn time 645 AM. Then, I slide into my sheets, let my head hit the pillow, and find a sure sense of comfort in the fact that I know exactly what the next day will hold.My alarm will ring and my eyes will slowly creak open. Ill hit snooze exactly once. When I finally tear myself away from those cozy covers, Ill brew my coffee, grab a granola bar, and sit down at my desk to peruse my inbox. Yes, every day looks pretty much the same for me. Sure, its a little mundane. But, that predictability and certainty is also reassuring. Heres the thing, though Every now and then, I experience those dreaded days that somehow stray from the norm- whether by a lot or just a little. There was that morning when a last-minute request from a client threw my whole schedule on its head. There was that afternoon when a loved ones trip to the hospital meant putting my work on hold. And, even more recently, there was that day when my morning errand to the post sekretariat resulted in smacking off my passenger mirror on the side of my garage. Its in these moments that my love affair with my beloved, stable routine takes a turn. Why? Well, at the very first wrench tossed into my plans, I find myself totally paralyzed by the unpredictable. Even worse though is realizing that Ive come to rely on something that is oh-so-fickle and fleeting the concept of certainty. For a while, I assumed that I was the only self-proclaimed creature of habit who felt this way. But, then I stumbled upon this post from marketing expert Seth Godin, in which he emphasizes the fact that were all pretty much conditioned to rely on that sense of sureness. In the piece, Godin points to traditional schooling. Youre certain to have these classes tomorrow, Godin writes, The class will certainly follow the syllabus. There will certainly be a test. If you d o well on the test, you will certainly go on to the next year.The problem with starting your life this way and getting used to it? Life isnt certain. Things are bound to crop up that take you by surprise. You wont land that job you want. You wont score that promotion. Youll get a promotion you never saw coming. You might be asked to relocate. You might change careers entirely. Or, you might even get fired. Like it or not, the unexpected happens. And, as I know all too well, youll have a much tougher time rolling with the punches when youve come to expect that you wont ever get punched at all.Weve trained people to be certain for years, and then launch them into a culture and an economy where relying on certainty does us almost no good at all, Godin continues.Godin raises a solid point. It seems counterintuitive, but certainty is anything but, well, certain. So, take a page from him and remind yourself of the fact that absolutely nothing is a sure thing- and, while youre at it, think of some different ways that you can become better at adjusting to your ever-changing circumstances, whatever they may be. After all, if life has taught me anything, its this While its more than OK to hope for the best, its usually not a bad idea to plan for the worst.

Whatever They Told You About Resume Builder Free Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why

Whatever They Told You About Resume Builder Free Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why You will simply ought to go visit the websites until you find one which you wish to use. There are several online resume maker tools which will sure help you to acquire a resume in pdf format only as long as you pay them. You are able to also see Resume Templates In MS Word Note that a number of resumes are good to be utilized as example files. The resume schablone will be published in HTML version. Whatever They Told You About Resume Builder Free Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why There are a couple things you ought to look for in free resume builder sites. You may find a lot of great resume schablones, but you are going to have to decide if theyre likely to help or hurt your likelihood of landing an interview. There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous quantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both. There are lots of free resume templates readily available online but sometimes it can be very hard to decide on the best one that is most suited to you. The very first point to do is create an ad that may be posted on relevant sites. The incorrect hire can send things spinning, while the best one can totally transform their company. The very last thing you would like is for your resume to let you down when youre actually the most suitable pick for the job. Ensure you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about New Questions About Resume Builder Free A resume thats captivating and clearly highlights your strong qualities that relate to the job will different you from the remainder of the applicants. Resumes do not need to be boring. They provide the all important first impressions to an employer that an applicant cannot give during the earliest phase of the application process. The Nuiances of Resume Builder Free Simple doesnt need to mean uninspired and boring. Utilizing a template can cut the quantity of time you need to spend formatting your document, which permits you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. Resume templates are one method to guarantee structure behind your resume. You are able to pick anyone from then additionally you may add any of your favourite customized colours. All you need to do is simply edit the document to include your individual info. Theres so many to pick from in his package that theres no use in describing a few of the features, since youll certainly be able to get what you need within. Sometimes all you will need is a traditional style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. Our online Resume Builder features will allow you to create a resume that reflects your best strengths. Resumes dont have to take so much of your time but still shouldnt be neglected. Submitting your resume via email can give you valuable details. Build the content which you will need to compose the most effective possible USAJOBS Federal Resume. Based on the kind of application process youre addressing, it could be appropriate to include samples of your work inside your CV. Your application should stick out to be able to find attention. However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. Utilizing a resume template is now an acceptable and smart practice for numerous explanations. Only professionals in some specific careers should look at utilizing a graphical resume design. If youre searching for a very simple but stunning design thats guaranteed to appeal to any hiring manager than you are in right spot. If you create a site for your resume, youre just 1 step over the competition and that a great deal more likely to get noticed and receive the position youre searching for. The work search may be a lengthy process just examine the statistics below Then, the free resume maker will request that you provide a concise summary of your abilities and talents. You use resume templates if youre an enter-level job seeker who does not have any idea how to begin writing their resumes. Resumizer free resume creator allows you to preview your resume at any stage in the creation practice. You will land more interviews in almost no time, and get hired for your fantasy job.

The Secret to a Successful Transition From Military to Civilian Life

The Secret to a Successful Transition From Military to Civilian Life Veterans sacrifice a lot of things to serve their country, but a normal life once they return from duty shouldnt be one of them.A crucialstep to take after your service ends is getting a job. The good news is there are legions of employers out there that can benefit from the skills and discipline you learned in the armed forces. In fact, a great number of them actively seek veterans to add to their workforces. However, it can be difficult to take advantage of these opportunities if you have trouble adjusting to civilian life.Your experiences in the service may have taught you a lot, but they also may have changed the way you think and feel in certain situations. The sudden shift from the mora regimented nature of the military to the freedoms back home can be jarring. You also might not be prepared to begin searching for a job.If you need some advice on easing yourself back into the civilian world successfully, check out the following infographic, which outlines some valuable tips on beginning this new phase of your life with ease.Jeremy Silverstein is vice president of operations and vehicle dispatching atVeteran Car Donations.