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Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 08:41 PM

My boss threatened to fire me if I do not sign new company terms of Employment. Those terms (too long to list them all here) contain some major alterations to status I had before (i.e. going from salary to hourly position, from permanent to seasonal). I work for the company for 3.5 years.

Now since I showed some sign of disagreeing with it, the boss asked me also to sign a statement, that contains all misunderstandings and issues that were attached to my name before (they named them as "incidents") with one clause: If I just make another "incident" I'd be fired for "just cause". The message is clear: leave before I fire you.

So, it's obvious that I am unwanted person in the company anymore, and must leave. I do not mind leaving. On contrary, I cannot wait to be free again. However, if I quit, then I wouldn't be entitled to EI benefits (BC, Canada). If I sign all those papers then I run a risk (very very high risk) to be set up another "incident" and be fired before I manage to find another job.

If I stay it's not good, if I leave it's not good. What do I do?
Thanks for any help.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 08:44 PM

I suggest you contact employment standards with your concerns before making any decision. That is a tough spot to be in. They are trying to force you out of the company that is obvious.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 08:45 PM

B.C. Government, Ministry of Labour&Citizens' Services, Employment Standards Branch

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

I suggest you contact employment standards with your concerns before making any decision. That is a tough spot to be in. They are trying to force you out of the company that is obvious.

Thank you for your help.

I have already talked to Employment Standard Act before I noticed the management of my disagreeing. The Act people told me that if the new Terms contain major alterations of the conditions of employment, then If I got fired for not signing it, I would be entitled for severance pay, which is about 3 paid weeks (since I worked for 3.5 years for the company).

So, that wouldn't do me any good. And of course knowing that, the managemnt is gathering any issues from before as the excuses against me to justify their "just cause" act. I had no any incidents nor discipline against me before.

So, I thought to negotiate with the boss and offer him to lay me off with "shortage of work" as the reason for it. I'd gladly accept that.

I must sign those papers tomorrow morning. (I was told about that this afternoon, before quitting time).

Horrible situation to be in. I never ever had any discipline against me with any previous employers.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 09:29 PM

So what are you going to do? It is almost like they purposely told you last minute so you did not have much time to think about what to do. Are they doing this to anybody else in the company? So many questions.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. What kind of work do you do is another question I have?

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

So what are you going to do? It is almost like they purposely told you last minute so you did not have much time to think about what to do. Are they doing this to anybody else in the company? So many questions.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. What kind of work do you do is another question I have?

Yes it was on purpose: too short notice.

I am going to propose (to boss) to be laid off with "shortage of work" on my ROE. If that works fine. I'll take it and leave without looking back.
If not, then I'am going to sign new Terms of employment, but not that ugly "incidents" statement.

If they fire me, I can complain to Employment Act that I signed new Terms under threat. So, as a such I believe it wouldn't have legal validation, and I should be entitled to EI.

I work in Forestry, as the senior position. A supervisor.

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

Are they doing this to anybody else in the company?

The new Terms of Employment were given to all employees to sign.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 09:55 PM

Well good luck with everything. It seems to me that many companies now a days are finding ways of getting rid of people short cuts and cost savings and they always start with senior positions. I used to work for a supplier plant for automotive and the writing was on the wall for a while when we kept seeing supervisors slowly disappearing, fired, left or whatever the story was.

Please keep us all informed of what happens, oh and I hope more people jump in on your question eventually.

Take care of yourself.

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

Well good luck with everything. It seems to me that many companies now a days are finding ways of getting rid of people short cuts and cost savings and they always start with senior positions. I used to work for a supplier plant for automotive and the writing was on the wall for a while when we kept seeing supervisors slowly disappearing, fired, left or whatever the story was.

Please keep us all informed of what happens, oh and I hope more people jump in on your question eventually.

Take care of yourself.

Thanks, buddy.

I do not know the issues with other employees, since people are scared to talk about it to anyone. I believe that probably most or all of them signed it. It is small outfit.

The reason they do not want me there (I believe) is that I do not take a crap. BTW, I was told (by third parties) that am one of the best experts in my scope of work. Nobody cares for experts anymore. They only except "yes, boss" men.
As long as I stay healthy, I am not afraid of anything.

Yes, I will keep you informed.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:12 PM

Well the new terms of employment are for everyone. So it is not like it is only for one employee or that they are trying to pick and chose.

Oh, and I believe that. I was not one to take crap either, but they did not like that. Companies prefer somebody that is a yes man, and kiss butt, but that is not a way to run a company either.

Wow you talking about your stuff has brought up a lot about my old job. You know what though in my own personal situation the best thing I did was to leave that place.

Not saying it would be the same for you but we all have choices to make, right.

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

It seems to me that many companies now a days are finding ways of getting rid of people short cuts and cost savings and they always start with senior positions.

Right.

The reasons are:

- they hire junior employees instead, and pay them less wages for the same type of work. Big save there.
- every new employee is hired on 6 months probation period, for which the employer does not pay any benefits. That's a lot of cost cut.

This just tells me that the crisis is creeping in the industry (Forestry).

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

Wow you talking about your stuff has brought up a lot about my old job. You know what though in my own personal situation the best thing I did was to leave that place.
.

So, were you fired, or you just quit?

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:26 PM

Neither.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:32 PM

Signed a deal, that stated shortage of work. Got my severance and EI...

Rkanovac77 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jesushelper76

Signed a deal, that stated shortage of work. Got my severance and EI...

Yup.
"In the middle of difficulty lies the opportunity", Einstein.

JoeCanada76 · Mar 25, 2010, 10:50 PM

That is so true... and more opportunity was found... (;