Does it hurt to ask why you were fired? (employee, unemployment, employer)

[fnwrum]

If you get a phone call from your contractor company saying that employer said "it didn't work out well" and terminated you, would it hurt to ask the reason for the termination?

[readytofly]

The employer should give always give a substantial reason for your termination. If they dont, ASK

[KABurke]

Originally Posted by readytofly

The employer should give always give a substantial reason for your termination. If they dont, ASK

Really? I was under the impression the employer couldn't go into detail or specifics of why one was terminated.

[mkpunk]

I had this happen with my last position and all they said was you weren't performing after 40 days (yet I wasn't given much feedback what I was doing wrong and if I were, not much to improve.)

[Teckeeee]

You can ask and they won't offer for fear of lawsuit.

[froglipz]

As an employer I will NEVER give a reason for terminating an "at will" employee! If a reason is given it opens you up to litigation.

[DCmum]

In any case, it won't hurt to ask, you are already fired, what do you have to lose?

[fishbrains]

I always give reasons as to why I fire employees. It is never a mystery, and they usually know it is coming before it happens.

No employee is going to win a lawsuit based upon a legitimate reason.

[ss20ts]

An employer is never required to disclose why you were fired. Even if you are under contract they rarely will say due to litigation. You can ask, but don't be surprised if they refused to say anything.

[statisticsnerd]

I can't imagine not knowing why you were fired from a job. Even if they don't tell you, isn't it usually pretty obvious?

At least you have a slam dunk when you are filing for unemployment. No reason given for a firing is pretty much equivalent to a lay-off in the eyes of the unemployment office.